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ARB Bullbar Delayed

79K views 338 replies 61 participants last post by  BobT 
#1 ·
I received an email from ARB today regarding the GC bullbar....

Due to huge demand for our products and the release of numerous new and facelift vehicles in the last 12 months (many of which are fleet and trade vehicles), the Grand Cherokee bar development has been delayed. We're hoping to have something ready later this year but unfortunately I can't give you a more accurate ETA at this stage.

Kind regards, Sam (marketing).
 
#4 ·
One thing that impressed me is that I sent my email enquiry a couple of months ago, and the St Peters branch manager responded back then. So this is an update to an old enquiry, which is quite good of them.

They must have me on record somewhere.
 
#5 ·
hopefully this gives them some time to bring out other accessories at the same time... probably not :(
 
#6 ·
I read an article (can't recall exactly where) the other day that our JGC model is one of the highest selling 4WD/SUV models in Australia with 000's of units sold predominantly to 30 to 60yo males. Now I'm no maketing guru, but I am one of these 30 to 60yo males and from what I've read on many forums, we all love our trucks and have $$$ burning holes in our pockets to add on accessories.
If there's an aftermarket manufacturer watching these forum, here's a great way to make some money - 'design and manufacture aftermarket products for the 2011/2 Grand Cherokee' before our better halves spend the money on what they want.
 
#8 ·
I read an article (can't recall exactly where) the other day that our JGC model is one of the highest selling 4WD/SUV models in Australia with 000's of units sold predominantly to 30 to 60yo males. Now I'm no maketing guru, but I am one of these 30 to 60yo males and from what I've read on many forums, we all love our trucks and have $$$ burning holes in our pockets to add on accessories.
If there's an aftermarket manufacturer watching these forum, here's a great way to make some money - 'design and manufacture aftermarket products for the 2011/2 Grand Cherokee' before our better halves spend the money on what they want.

By looking at your signature, you dont need any more addons. You already have just about everything.
 
#7 ·
Scarps, Have you ever been over to the Caravanersforum - the Jeep page over there is more of a Jeep love fest than the Jeeps sites. You would think that they would be after a lot of accessories for touring. One thing though is I guess they could go with the ECB bar, as they may not find a winch compatible bar as high on the list - just roo, etc protection. Still though, there would be a lot of other products they would want that ARB makes...
 
#9 ·
Yep, I'm there. Same call sign.
 
#11 ·
I have a friend who is getting an ARB bullbar for their Prado 150. She had it lined up and ready to get done, when she got a call from ARB telling her there will be a 6 month wait.

She thought they were having her on, when she got another friend to call and enquire and he was told the same thing.

I suspect that they have got a massive order for a fleet of mining vehicles or something like that, causing manufacturing delays.

Just guessing though.
 
#12 ·
It's still delayed, although looks like YankeeDave will get one happening sooner.
 
#13 ·
Scarps, any update?
 
#14 ·
Last update I heard from Sam at ARB marketing was 4 weeks ago. Development is underway and I believe they have already done the 3D scan of a GC.

The plan is for an ARB Deluxe Combination winch bar. The part number will be 3450410.

Nothing newer than that at the moment.
 
#15 ·
Correct, one of my neighbours WK2 was used for the scan several weeks ago.
 
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#19 ·
Any bull bar is going to look bad now, as it is very difficult to engineer.
With this sort of accessory for a car you need: good price, functional and looked good. You can only choose 2. All the nannie laws like pedestrian safety and airbag systems mean a lot of engineering needs to go into making this product. In saying that I bet ARB are a bit shocked by the amount of JGC's sold here.
 
#20 ·
I understand the differences in build types. And Bob, you raise a good point about monocoque versus separate chassis, and relative movement of the body.

The point I was making is that until they test a bullbar on a real car, they wont know for sure what the final product will be and when it will be available.
 
#21 ·
I fully understand your point and totally agree. If I sounded critical, I was critical to the auto industry not you. With things like CAD CAM, Six Sigma and Lean, the industry is more confident that they have it right the first time so testing budgets are slashed compared to what they used to have. I my view, nothing beats hooning around the outback till the car falls apart, rebuild it and do it again, but then I'm an old fart.
 
#23 ·
According to 4X4 Australia, February 2013 issue, the top 5 4X4 wagons in terms of sales for the year ending November 2012 were:
Toyota Prado_______ 1236
Jeep Grand Cherokee_ 880
Toyota LandCruiser___ 847
Mitsubishi Pajero_____ 761
Suzuki Grand Vitara__ 338
Guess which is the only one that doesn't yet have an ARB bull bar?
 
#24 ·
The Prado? :)
 
#25 ·
I would suggest that most of the Prados are bought by business, but most GC are private.

Stating the obvious?
 
#26 ·
I know they've said they're aiming for a combination bar, but man i hope they do a sahara bar as well.
I think they look really great, and on the GC i reckon it'd look awesome
I guess only time will tell...
 
#27 · (Edited)
Hi all,

Well we're due to pick up our '13 Stone White Overland CRD in the next two weeks so I've been looking at a bar too.

I have had quite a bit to do with ARB in Kylisith lately. I already own a heavily modified Nissan Patrol and ARB/Old Man Emu built me a set of NitroCharger Sport shock's after destroying a set of Dobinsons up Cape York in June/July this year.

I decided to give the blokes a call that did my shocks and see what they'd heard.

I was told that they have not even had a Grand Cherokee in for 3D scanning/modelling yet. So the bar will be mid year at best and will only be a Deluxe/Combo bar. The demand for a Sahara bar may not be there apparently...yet!

Seeing as ARB generally do the best looking bars IMHO I'll wait and see before going with the ECB option for now.
 
#28 ·
Hi Ticket, thnx for the update and congrats on your new 4WD purchase. Maybe ring them back with the following info off the Ausjeepoffroad forum. Sadly I think this indicative of ARB's lack of interest in Jeep.

Quote:
Hi guys, just an update on the development of the ARB WK2 bar. Now that development has officially commenced, we have uploaded a part number into our system to allow orders to be processed.The WK2 Combination Bar PN is 3450410 for those who are interested. Unfortunately, until we get further into the development process, I can't give any ETAs or model specific details at this stage. When I know more, I'll make it available.Cheers, Sam.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
#30 ·
Hi Ticket, Sam from ARB just replied with the following.

Hi Scarps, you're right, it is disappointing to read as the info is incorrect. I'm lead to believe that we are awaiting an Overland model to scan (which should happen soon) but the other variants have been scanned and development is progressing. Cheers, Sam.
 
#31 ·
Thanks for passing the reply on scarps. I suppose Sam from ARB is confirming my comments from my phone call by what I can read.

I said

"I was told that they have not even had a Grand Cherokee in for 3D scanning/modelling yet. So the bar will be mid year at best"

Sam said

"I'm lead to believe that we are awaiting an Overland model to scan (which should happen soon) but the other variants have been scanned and development is progressing."

So what was incorrect according to Sam about my info??? The Overland part??? By the sounds of it both of our sources allude to the bar not being too far into the development stages as yet.

What structural differences do "other models" have to an Overland?? Being new to the Jeep family I'm not quite full-bottle on them.

Cheers
 
#32 ·
Seems like a pretty similar story to mine really. I will concede that they may have had Laredo/Limted in for scanning, but that still leads me to believe it will be mid year-ish till we see the final product.

Are there any structural/body differences between the GC range???

Which i'm more than willing to wait for, as I said, they do a great looking bar.

Strong too. My Patrol has had it's bar on it since I've owned it. I've hit 3 roo's over the last 7 years and given it hell off-road. It's only been in the last week that it's given up from abuse. As you can see in the picture the wing has bent up and damaged the front quater.

Long story short. I snapped another CV and it bound up on me driving out of the tracks and smacked an embankment. It's what I built the truck for, so all good.

So if it took as much punishment on my Patrol, I'm sure the Grand Cherokee ARB bar will be a good thing when we do see it eventually.
 

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#33 · (Edited)
Hi Ticket, apol's if I offended in any way, not intended. Just ongoing frustration with ARB not getting on board quickly enough with our WK2's. when you said Kilsyth guys said nothing happening, it was just another indication that they might be telling us one thing and their teams another or nothing at all.
If you haven't already seen this, a trip to the following link might enlighten you on several forumers frustrations with ARB.
http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117777
Cheers Scott
 
#35 ·
Hi Ticket, apol's if I offended in any way, not intended. Just ongoing frustration with ARB not getting on board quickly enough with our WK2's. when you said Kilsyth guys said nothing happening, it was just another indication that they might be telling us one thing and their teams another or nothing at all.
If you haven't already seen this, a trip to the following link might enlighten you on several forumers frustrations with ARB.
WK2 Bullbar - When ARB? - AUSJEEPOFFROAD.COM - AJOR
Cheers Scott

Nah mate, no offence taken at all.

I was only annoyed at Sam's response you passed on (messenger got shot I think LOL)

I've done some more reading last night and I see that the radar cruise control or ACC is the reason they want an Overland. So that answers that question.

I'm with you Mendo. Seeing as most WK2's will be country road tourer's the Sahara bar would look very smart. I don't need that full frontal protection from a combo bar.
 
#38 ·
Did my usual round of emails to the usual suspects and got this very informative ;-( response from TJM.

"Hi Paul,

Thank uo for contacting TJM.

There are a number of products in development for the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, however there has been no release dates given as yet.

I would suggest you keep an eye on the TJM website for product releases.

Regards,

Michael Stevens
Customer Service Representative
P: 07 3865 9803
F: 07 3865 9991
E: Michael.Stevens@tjm.com.au
W: www.tjm.com.au".

I tried to get some more info out of him, but he basically said R&D don't tell us sales guys sh&t!.
Possibly promising. (Maybe).???????
 
#39 ·
Good work Yoda.

Time was always gonna be the issue before others got in board. I think if the retailers look at these forums they will see the market for that's out there for this stuff.

Just look at the skid plate threads on this and other forums. Even the US guys are hanging for a new solution.

Thanks again.

Clarkey.
 
#40 ·
A recent reply to me from ARB,

"Hi Bob,
"Thank you for your recent email regarding the WK2 bar. Our engineers are still working on the development stage of the bar. I had also forwarded your email of November to them with your suggestions.

"Without the magazine cover at hand I think the bar you are describing is our Sahara Range of bars, essentially a bar without the tubes protecting the headlights. At this stage ARB don’t have plans for this style of bar for the WK2 as traditionally this hasn’t been a style asked for by Grand Cherokee owners.

"As the WK2 Grand Cherokee is sold both locally and overseas there is additional engineering time required to ensure that different markets don’t have different accessories and locations of sensors, cameras and other items that will impact on fitment. The internet has obviously helped to cut down on this process but can’t always be relied upon 100%.

"I’d suggest that you keep watching the ARB website or get in contact with your local ARB store or stockist to keep you posted of any developments.

"Regards

Stephen Sampson
Product Manager"

The reference to the "magazine cover" refers to the March issue of 4x4Australia, see the attached scanned image.

I replied as follows,

"Stephen,

"I’ve attached a copy of the cover of the mag (apologies 4x4 Australia) to show the modified bar. It isn’t the Sahara bar. In my view, the Sahara bar looks rather tacky, like a nudge bar or a clayton’s bull-bar. The modified bar looks great, functional, strong and preserves the lines of the vehicle. Also, the light bar tops it off. OK, it doesn’t protect the headlight area but that isn’t critical. The grill and air damn areas are highly critical. On my WK2, that area houses the radiator, engine oil cooler, transmission oil cooler and turbo inter-cooler, damage to any one of which will disable the vehicle. There is also the a/c evaporator but that is neither here nor there.

Bob"
 

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