Whos better...... ARB or TJM??

[shortgq]

I am looking at fitting out my 90 swb maverick and am wondering which company u guys think is better in terms of quality of build, value, price and customer service. Initially it will be winch bar, snorkel and new springs, possibly later will be winch, definitly an ARB locker or 2????, and a few other things.

I've been lookin it both their stores on beaudesert road around rocklea and they seem pretty similiar.........

[Daisy]

i havent picked either.

I just go and get what i need on my list.

I research on what part is required rather than gettin package deals as its not always what you want.

eg... winch bar, sliders from cheezy, and various bits and pieces from each store.

Just comes down to what you want done.

whats wrong with goin to both?

TOM

[shortgq]

nothin really....... just wondering if people had found one to be better then the other?

[Big Red Toy]

really depends what you want the car for? if you want it for serious offroad you are better off buying something like a cheezy bar etc for better approach angles.

[hottiemonster]

really depends what you want the car for? if you want it for serious offroad you are better off buying something like a cheezy bar etc for better approach angles.

[beretta]

This may or may not be the same with every store, but I wouldn't go anywhere near the TJM here in Geelong I did a bit of a price comparo, I went to the ARB dealer here and then to TJM everything I made a price comparo on was overpriced, eg. 3.5t shackles roughly from memory were $9 at ARB, they were $13 at TJM, same price as the bigger ones were at ARB. Apart from all that I have had three bad experiences there, so why bother going back to be repeatedly boned when there's better options at better prices, and generally far better service.

I wouldn't waste my time with TJM.

[shortgq]

Yeah, thats why i asked. I own a mq as well which was involved in an accident and bent the original steel bull bar, which had to be replaced as it was built around a pto winch. The insurance guys gave it to a tjm store here in south brisbane which f&$cked about for weeks making an alloy bar to suit when i was told a week originally, they also didn't really accomodate for thr rollers for the winch rope when if used at some extreme angles will start to chew through the alloy. Because it was an insurance job i really wasn't fussed on an mq. But the time they took was not good enough. This is why i was asking about other people expiences.

[matthewK]

i went to Al terrain 4x4 in morrabbin here in vic they charged me $12 for 3.5tone shackles
im too scared to even ask about 9000lbs snatch strap

[beretta]

Yeah, you should make some comparos man, we spend shite loads on all this gear, don't need to get shafted. Things like shackles and drag chains etc. you are generally miles better off going to a lifting mob or a truck parts joint and buying it from them. Gotta shop around for sure.

[shortgq]

no one for tjm so far........ interesting

[grazza]

My last option is ARB or TJM

ARB really shit me with their hard-sell as soon as I walk in, its so obvious they are makng a lot of money on their markups.

Have you seen the price of Staun deflators? What has changed since they were first made (years ago) that justifies the cost increase?

Its like paying 10c more fro fuel at a servo which have LCD TV screens on the fuel pumps - for f%@ks sake!

[BigMav]

I haven't voted for either as I believe that both arb and tjm have similar quality gear, whoever wins out in the prices will get my business. Some people will say TJM is crap because they had particularly bad service, I can't complain about my local TJM dealer. He always knows what he's talking about and doesn't just try and flog off his own gear. Which is more than what I can say about the tools at ARB in Brisbane. All depends on which outlet you go to I think.

[turps]

TJM and ARB gear is all built pretty well. If you want main stream stuff you probably want be able to fualt either. Now thats for the gear, as for idiots working at the shops, now thats a different story. In Bendigo they both offer pretty good customer service, do I think I was ever shafted. Idont think so, was I lead more towards an expensive option sometimes yes untill I started to learn abit about what was going on.


I think now though there isnt much that the main stream stores have that I really want / need.

Anyway back on topic there both good gear, I have seen the ARB factory and there quality control does look pretty good. As for bar work yes Cheezy Racing do make some good stuff but there are others who have had bars etc made that also look the goods.

Also I dont think those low-profile bars other enough protection. But thats just my opion (but they do look sweet).

[Josh_GQ]

I had tjm put a bullbar and winch on my GQ and they f@#ked it big time. I ended having to go back to them 7 times and they mucked around with my stereo and broke my speakers then refused to pay for them and they did a really shitty job on the winch and the whole lot hangs down and sticks out real far i have since re-drilled the mounting holes to get it a bit better.

BUT I WILL NEVER USE OR RECOMEND TJM AFTER THE WAY THEY TREATED ME

this was at tjm rocklea

i was very unhappy with there work and customer service

JOSH

[beretta]

Haven't heard a good word about TJM yet! very interesting!

[bogged]

Better at what?
I used our local TJM bloke for years, never had a problem with him, he fitted my turbo kit and services my car.. cheap good service and knows his shit.

Which is better - neither.

Either tradingpost, ebay, or the forsale section of outerlimits shits on them both. IMWO only thing to buy new should be lockers.

[Patroldude]

I knwo the hastles involved with TJM and ARB - our local ARB guy is a bit of a rip off merchant at the best of times.... somehow with no change at all to the produuct or packaging a set of nice Spotties jumped $15 each in price... not a huge increase as a dollar value but as a % value it was like a 30% increase - I was gonna buy 10 of em for my truck till he jacked the price...

As far as Insurance went - my mate did a can opener on a 2 week old falcon with is TJM winch bar (no winch in it at time thank goodness) and bent it good and proper.... smash repairers claimed they rang every store in South Sydney and couldn't get a replacement bar anywhere so they gave him $1100 cheque for it instead...

I heard from a guy in a 4x4 store that TJM and ARB are the same as far as bull bars etc goes but I doubt that hey...

Stupid thing is these are being made and creating huge profits for such companies as ARB and TJM (and that is great for our ecconomy sure) but most people on this site are a little more custom than a guy who is retiring and has nice payout which will pay for all the accessories to his new 4x4 so he can drive around the cafe's in Double Bay in safety and then go round the highways of Australia (yes - I am generalising a little here), ARB/TJM are companies aimed at that market not the "hard core" customisers, good on em - effective targetting of the market they want AND GET! Personally if I didn't have so much Patrol stuff about I would be much better off supporting a true roots 4x4 shop like Cheezy/ custom Fab/ Superior Engineering/ ORI etc etc...

ARB stuffed me round 2 times in a row on something that was missing parts etc and wanted to charge me for it!!! TJM Left me on hold for too long too - not exactly a huge gripe but enough to cause me to slam down the phone...

Apples for apples I say.

Man - I crap on don't I?!

Patroldude.

[turps]

For along time Bendigo only had 1 4b shop (ok there was a wreckers that stocked TJM) which was an ARB dealer. I never had any problems with getting quotes etc of them (never did buy much there - but they fixed alot of my fukups).
And as for prices of bar work. Bullbars are a similar price to the specialst 4B shops, side rails/steps are the same.
Some of the rear bars/tyre carriers that are being built by the specialists are much better though. I dont think there catches are ever going to be as goob as Kaymar. But the rest of the rear bar is better designed.

[sicgq]

I have a GQ lwb with a TJM winchbar, series 2000 suspension XGS shockies. Travelled allover the country Simpson desert etc and never had a problem with my tjm gear. I would rather shop at my local tjm dealer (4wd warehouse Kings park) far bigger discount than my local arb dealer (Moorebank) . I think the both products are compareable, its more about the dealers and what they can do for you. 4wd Warehouse has guest speakers and BBQ nights, more about talking about what you want , not about trying to sell you something every time you go in to ask a question.

[Beastmavster]

Said ARB after a recent Suspension quopte from TJM.

Simple rule fo thumb.. use what you like from whoever if it's the right price.

[J Top]

I have sold and fitted both makes over the years.
As a rule I prefer ARB especially with the GQ winch bar,the ARB has a stronger and more comprehensive mounting arrangement.
The OME spring range seemed to have more and better choices.
J Top

[ozy1]

i myself tend to stick to ARB, but have always recieved pretty good prices from them, compared to TJM, but for alot of mystuff, i have been heading off to places like Big Balls,

all of your choises must influence your purchase, no point going to TJM or ARB when alot more of your goodies can be purchased at a store better suiting your needs.