Death By Deer (or Why I Need a New Bumper)

[mnutz]

My state, Nebraska, is one of the leading states for deer vehicle collisions. Currently they say the average is 1 in every 100 will hit a deer this year. In my county I'd say it's more like 1 in 30, realistically. I don't know many folks who have NOT hit one. I have hit 4 in 4 years. You would think I'm driving around looking for them, but I swear I'm not. 2 of those collisions totalled the vehicles, including my 94 Pathfinder. The deer in my valley are big, mule deer. We have white tails here too, and even they get pretty big size. My remote county advertises all over the USA to attract deer hunters, but we still have thousands of them. They've been extending the hunting season, and the bag limits, but we are still way overrun.

So I'm putting a bumper on my new to me 01 Xterra. For the main point of defending against deer. I think ARB is probably at the top of my list. From what I have read it seems they are really designed and proven with animal strikes in mind. I don't plan on lifting my X, well I say that now anyway. Do I need to do anything to the front suspension to handle the extra weight of the ARB? I want to maximize my MPGs and will use this truck for extended camping trips around the country. I don't do any serious wheeling and just want this X to be a capable, deer-proof, backcountry camping rig.

Thanks!

 

[J Everett]

ARB bumpers were indeed designed for animal strikes; the ARB stands for Anti-Roo Bar and was designed in Australia to keep kangaroos from totalling trucks while driving on the cross-continent highways through the outback. The ability to mount a winch was just a bonus.

As far as suspension, the difference between the factory bumper that you'll be removing and the ARB is only about 90 lbs. You may have to crank the torsion bars a bit to adjust the ride height back to stock, or, if your old T-bars are worn, you may want to consider getting some new ones, but that should be it.

You may also want to consider a bumper from Shrockworks. A member here, TJTJ, has one that has saved his Xterra from multiple deer strikes.

 

[granitex]

all of the popular winch bumpers are going to give you plenty of protection. ARB, Shrockworks, RLC -one of the site sponcers.

 

[Macland]

Any aftermarket bumper made with any expertise is going to provide you with plenty of protection. Go with the one that you like best and you'll be happy with it. Check out Dave's RLC, those are quickly becoming my favorite on the first gen.

 

[drbandkgb]

I had arb... They are ok.. (Sorry Amish) But I would go with RLCweldFab out of KY
James is a great dude.. he is a sponsor of XN! and I have one of his bumpers... His turn around time has been about 3 weeks too.. Shrockworks is a fine bumper if you would like to wait a year to get one..


Stock:

ARB:

RLC:

ARB will ship you a bumper today.. 900 or so dollars.. They do weigh about 90lbs.. like others have posted before me.. they use a thin metal.. You get no base to mount a winch if you desire down the road (mounts on the front and your limited on the winch). RLC cost me (625 unpainted) and no shipping because I picked it up. James will do custom bars for you.. ARB is what it is.. RLC is made for stock or a 2" BL.. The RLC is also about 95lbs

I have owned both and id buy RLC again every time..
RLC 4620 Shepherdsville Rd. Louisville, KY 40218 502-403-6832


It would be worth it to give him a call..

 

[TKDx00]

I too have run into a dear or 2 in my travels. Plus a few nighttime hit and runs while parked here in Chicago convinced me to get a larger bumper. I got a Shrock a few yrs back and I can say it has held up very well. Although I've not hit a deer or had any hit and runs(that I know of). However, the wife did run into the garage brick outer wall. Bumper held up fine, minor bend and scratch but the garage wall and door had to be replaced.

With all that being said, since I'm looking at a new front bumper design, RLC has been the best company so far as far as price for what I'm looking for. I've talked to ARB and Shrockworks as well but RLC is willing to talk redesign and the price at this point seems very doable.

As said by MACLAND...buy what YOU like, that way YOU'LL be satified.

 

[J Everett]

Good advice from Dave. Not often you come across someone who's had more than one aftermarket bumper.