Another winch bumper option for the Xterra..

[wqbang]

TJM T17 steel winch bumper $450 at 4x4parts.com

http://www2.4x4parts.com/cgi-local/u...&f=30&t=000016

Looks to be quite nice, very simple and effective.

[OffroadX]

That's the bumper I've been wanting! Just a nice, sturdy winch-mount bumper. I saw the T-17 on the TJM site a while back and I've been hoping they would make it stateside. Gotta love the price, and it won't be too ugly for the wife I hope! She is so against me getting an ARB and make the X "ugly"...

Brent

[ScottG]

Originally posted by OffroadX
That's the bumper I've been wanting!
Brent

Yep, I remember your post about that bumper months ago. I wonder if TJM now has a U.S. distributor? That was apparently the problem with getting their products here in the past. Maybe that TJM hydraulic winch will be available here also

[OffroadX]

Supposedly TJM has had a US distributor for some time now, but I haven't heard a peep from them in ages. Last I heard from them was in early March:
"We are presently in the process of revising our distribution system to be more in tune with the needs of our past, current and future customers. Our target date to be at full speed with our new system is Spring 2001." "We are presently in the process of revising our distribution system to be more in tune with the needs of our past, current and future customers. Our target date to be at full speed with our new system is Spring 2001."

Contact info:
Mark McKeever
Marketing Manager
TJM a business unit of CMI Operations Pty. Ltd. Co.
2510 Quality Lane
Knoxville TN 37931
PH. 865 670-1012
[email protected]

I wrote them twice, and only got a reply to the first message. I even suggested 4x4connection.com as a possible local dealer since they mentioned they used to carry TJM gear and still had interest.

Brent

[FSRBIKER]

They must have a distributor since there are several places carrying the bumpers right now, 4x4Parts and Desert Rat both have them. Looks real nice for those who don't want/like the upper bars of the ARB.

[OffroadX]

I don't think Desert Rat ever took them off their site when TJM pulled out of the US Market a while back, I recall seeing TJM products on it last year but when they were asked they gave the same answer, nobody was importing them at the time.

Brent

[wilburburns]

I had been in contact with Mark Mckeever for a while. On my last contact with him (which was sometime in May, I have lost all my saved e-mails) he said they should be in the US in early JUNE. At that time, DesertRat had new pricing and was the only retailer. I even commented that the Pricing seemed quite steep (ie: more expensive than an ARB), and again he said the Desert Rat was the only retailer and they set their own pricing.. I commented that people had imported the bumper on their own for less money than Desert Rat was charging.

I guess that more retailers have been brought in by TJM, so hopefully the price will drop for both the TJM bumpers as well as the ARB. Competition is good..

Although, I do much prefer the looks of the TJM, I would not pay more for them than an ARB. Even The T15 that AC is selling is a little overpriced in my opinion. As much as I would like to have a new bumper right now, I'm not really in the market for one due to the lack of $$$$$$. However, maybe by the time I am ready to get one, the price will have dropped due to the competition and saturation of the market. All the suppliers are gougeing the market right now, because the Xterra and Frontiers are a hot item. As soon as the majority of those who would actually want a bumper like these have one, then the price will fall. Prices for Xterra and Frontier specific bumpers should be about the same as the comparable model for Jeeps/Toyota's/ETC. Currently Nissan specific items are all higher.

Wilbur

[Chris_McCracken]

Originally posted by wilburburns
Although, I do much prefer the looks of the TJM, I would not pay more for them than an ARB. Even The T15 that AC is selling is a little overpriced in my opinion. As much as I would like to have a new bumper right now, I'm not really in the market for one due to the lack of $$$$$$. However, maybe by the time I am ready to get one, the price will have dropped due to the competition and saturation of the market. All the suppliers are gougeing the market right now, because the Xterra and Frontiers are a hot item. As soon as the majority of those who would actually want a bumper like these have one, then the price will fall. Prices for Xterra and Frontier specific bumpers should be about the same as the comparable model for Jeeps/Toyota's/ETC. Currently Nissan specific items are all higher.

Wilbur

I don't know where you're shopping, but your information is wrong. The TJM is priced about the same as the ARB. The TJM is $675 from 4x4parts.com, the ARB is $699 from overlander.com, $650 from xterraparts.com, and as low as $595 from 4wheelparts.com. You think the ARB is overpriced? KMA will be glad to make you a bumper for cheap. That stuff is not easy to make, and they invest tons of money in computer-controlled equipment to consistently make a quality product, and also a ton in R&D to make it worth buying in the first place. The suppliers are not gouging the market. The ARB's for Nissan are the same price as those for other makes. In fact, at 4wheelparts.com the ARB is signifigantly cheaper than the other makes (promo, maybe?). ARB has been making thses things for along time, and the prices have not really changed. Actually, the Aussie bumpers are a better deal than their American counterparts (Calmini), when you consider the price of a boat ride across the Pacific (they don't make these things over here!). The TJM bumper looks to be functionally similar to the ARB, but I think its a little nicer looking. Since I'll be buying the next two weeks or so, I'll give this careful consideration.

[Synchro]

i think he was more commenting on the he thinks the TJM pictured is a little overpriced for what you get when you compare it to an ARB. i could be wrong though as to his meaning.

[Chris_McCracken]

Originally posted by Synchro
i think he was more commenting on the he thinks the TJM pictured is a little overpriced for what you get when you compare it to an ARB. i could be wrong though as to his meaning.

Oh, ok. My brain took a few leaps that this thread didn't. (Too many msg boards to follow...). I was comparing similar products, not the particular one shown. I still don't think the price on the T17 is too bad, though. Its about the same price as a KMA rear bumper w/ the fixin's, and it holds a winch, and looks just alittle better.

[wilburburns]

Well, for one. Like I said, when I last e-mailed Mark MCkeever from TJM USA, I was told Desert Rat was the only retailer. At that time, I beleive they listed prices for the TJM at $750. At that time, $650 was the going price for an ARB. I just checked and they have lowered their price to $719 for the TJM. Still out of line in my opinion.

Currently, the ARB is advertised at $619 at 4x4 Connection and yes $595 at 4wheelparts. You listed $675 for AC's normal price for the TJM. THat is still more than an ARB is going for.

As to the gougeing of prices. Let me put it this way. ARB's initially sold for around $600, but once everyone started showing more interest and more orders were being placed, the average price jumped to around $650. Why? They found out that a certain number of people would pay that price (much like what has happened with gas prices). Now the price for the same ARB seems to have dropped back to around $600+/-. I wish I could find more online pricing for the TJM to compare, but my quick search of the usual places turned up nothing.

I realize where these bumpers are made, a well as how much R&D is involved in making them. Although, I don't think I would ever buy from KMA (only because of poor craftsmanship and customer service), I do like their bumper design. Much cheaper for the basic bumper, but they need to take some welding classes. TJM and ARB both have much better quality standards and more sofisticated processes (ie: no beer involved in the welding process). I will happily pay more for that. However, I will not pay more than a Jeep owner normally would. Which at one time is what quite a few Xterra ARB purchasers did.

Like I said, I like the TJM, but if it's a $50 more than an ARB when I get ready to buy. I will buy the ARB. That's $50 that I could spend on lights.

Of course to get a complete price comparison, you must also compare shipping costs.

Good luck with your purchase
Wilbur

[wilburburns]

Originally posted by Synchro
i think he was more commenting on the he thinks the TJM pictured is a little overpriced for what you get when you compare it to an ARB. i could be wrong though as to his meaning.

You are absolutely correct.

Wilbur

[OffroadX]

4x4connection.com is now carrying TJM products (not on the site yet, I was just at their shop). The T17 is $450 + shipping there, same as 4x4parts.com.

Brent