Silver ARB

[ozxterra]

After a brief chit-chat with the unstoppable Superjens I was looking around to see if there was a silver or metallic coated version of the lovable and popular ARB Bullbar. I have seen them on LandCruisers etc but wasnt sure if they were out for the XTerra. I like the black personally as I have a dirty green truck but a silver one might rock on the Jensmobile or other metallic coloured cruisers.

Anyone got any info on such a creature?

[Mojo-3]

This is a link from north shore off road - its for a toyota though.

http://www.nsor.com/specials.cfm?specialid=137

[rhombus]

Overlander.com

[ozxterra]

Yeah - I saw the one on Overlander but my understanding is that they sell the black ones. Im not sure that was an ARB either. I bought mine from them - they have a pretty good deal going on if anyone is looking...

Ill dig around a bit more.

The Calmini winch bumper looks like something in between. Its pretty cool. I wonder when it will ship (Couldnt resist that one)

[ozxterra]

My bad - the pics didnt load before - it is an ARB.

[superjens]

I'm trying to avoid this thread ... quit egging me on Chad you know I'm trying to save for a house!

But it looks great in silver I gotta admit.

[Xlax]

How about a gold power coated one bling bling...Come on guys there is only one color for the ARB.

I saw a white one on a white 4 Runner for sale...Looked like
Puff Daddy's ride.....


C

[superjens]

Actually Chad's dad has a silver ARB on his Land Cruiser and it looks great, which is why I brought it up with him earlier. The ARB catalog has other painted ones, like blue and white, and they look pretty good to me. Ahh what the hell do I know about style I still think jean jackets are cool.

[Schludwiller]

Just remember that you'll be repainting damage to the bar. Black is easier to match.

[rhombus]

Maybe a two-tone bar
Silver on the top and black on the bottom.

[ozxterra]

I gotta say that most bullbars I have seen around the world and in the Australian Outback are the silver coloured ones. The black ARB's that we have on our XTerra's are new to me. I like mine a lot but I would say silver is a lot more popular on 4X4's. Its more of a stainless steel look. I hate the chrome ones with the shiny matching crap all the way around the rig. Chrome is for hotrods not 4X4's.

If I had a silver XTerra Id go for a silver one as it looks slick. I sure like the black one on my green truck though. As far as colour matching - they are that colour all the way through. I have seen bullbars (ARB and others) twisted and ripped apart from major accidents and they stay the same colour.

They also use a heavy duty kind of plastic/resin for some of the smaller bullbars and roobars. It works suprisingly well and is light.

Jens - you know you want one......why wait? .....just get one....... you know your going to.......you should just do it now......

you should probably get a winch too.....:evillaugh

[Schludwiller]

Originally posted by ozxterra
As far as colour matching - they are that colour all the way through. I have seen bullbars (ARB and others) twisted and ripped apart from major accidents and they stay the same colour.

Maybe the metal matches the silver ones, but the black ones are not black "all the way through". Especially once the exposed metal starts to rust

[XXXTERRA]

I have seriously looked into this and will probably do it in the spring. The stock black is easy to match, but with paint and not powder coating. I emailed ARB about this and they said to change the colour simply scuff up the powder coating and paint over. You can order a silver one from Australia, but I have no idea how long it would take to get here. There are some rock chips in my ARB and they do turn brown quick. You will have to take the ARB off in order to paint it so be prepared for a couple days without the X. Also have them clear coat the paint to avoid pebble chips from killing the finish before you hit the trails, let the rocks and branches do that.

[ozxterra]

Yeah - ive noticed that black ones get "spotty."

I think black isnt a colour of choice a lot because of heat issues too. In australia the bullbar is used to carry water bags and accessories and silver reflects the sun. In 100+ degree heat the last thing you need is a heat-attracting piece of metal attached to the engine compartment. I dont know if it is such a big deal here though. I do think the black looks smooth and it doesnt get the obvious fade from road grime that the silver ones do. Once those silver ones get tarnished or whatever they are a real bitch to clean (I know from childhood experience - guess what one of my chores was...).

How about an urban-camouflage bullbar?? I could see one on snoop dogs Lincoln Navigator or something.....

[UTJMAC]

I would love to paint mine silver to match my silver X. Its difficult to match though I dont want to paint it with "gloss" paint(as in use silver ice). Someone be the guinea pig so I can figure out if it's worth the trouble!
John