RCI Arapaho bumper REVIEW

Alright,

So to begin I got this bumper off the current promotion they have going on. 15% off site wide and an additional 10% off orders over 1k. With shipping to Texas and tax I was just under $1800. Not bad. I ordered some cheaper lights off Superbright LED and total for lights and bumper was under 2k. Thats with shipping and tax. The bumper arrived in 3 weeks fully powder coated in house by RCI with no issues from shipping or packaging. I do not have a winch.

The bumper that this one replaced was from Fab Fours and called the Steel Elite. It seemed like a good bumper but had some serious rust issues when it arrived and just got worse. The welds were done VERY poorly and the whole thing seem to skip the QC line. They gave me a full refund eventually so I can't complain there.

The Arapaho bumper arrived on a pallet wrapped tightly and had some good protection. Took only 3 weeks to get it delivered and not the 4-6 I was told over the phone. Once unpacked the bumper seems to be very well put together. All welds look well done and the powder coating SEEMS to have been done properly. Only time will tell at this point. As a matter of precaution I sprayed the interior of the bumper with a matte clear coat. I installed the fog lights with out a problem. The light bar bracket I had a little issue with. The slot to insert the screw and washer to attach the light bar to the bumper is VERY thin. The provided screws from he light bar would not fit. I took my drill with a 5/16 bit and fixed this issue. Applied some paint and more clear coat and this issue was fixed. This bumper was a decent bit lighter than my old one and was another reason I wanted to switch.

Old bumper was taken off fairly easily with a 14mm and 17mm socket, some muscle and two good friends. The Arapaho bumper was just as easy to install and the directions on the website are spot on. I did not have to use any of the 1/2" spacers provided to lower the bumper. I did however have to take my angle grinder to my stock skid plate to modify it and make it fit. Was super easy do to and only needed very minor trimming. Been wanting an after market skid anyway. All lighting was wired and fairly simple to do. Needed an adapter for the fogs to be wired to the OEM switch.

Time will tell how this holds up! Total install time for the bumper was 30 minuets. To get the lights wired up was another hour or so. The bull shitting and beer drinking after continues now. THE CHROME NEEDS TO GO!

If I missed something or need more info please let me know!

 

Oh! Thanks for sharing. This is definitely on my short list for bumpers when the time comes.

 

Patiently waiting to make the short drive and pick mine up

 

Next on my list. Thanks for the review!

Do you know if OEm fog lights will fit. Planning on some better amber fogs eventually, but would would be good if I could just swap the factory fogs to the RCI bumper.

 

They did not fit. I tried this before I installed the fogs I got. The only mounting point to the bumper for fog lights is on the top of the hole for the lights. they will need to be some type of pod light.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/3-l...-950-lumens-single-2-pack+beam_pattern_st-Fog
These are the ones I got and they seem to be decent. Only used them 1 time (right now) but they have plenty of light.

 

Thanks for the details. I noticed that RCI has an option to include SS3 fogs for a price that is less than DD sells them for.

Were the pods you got plug and play?

 

Thanks for the review and that bumper looks killer! Between the price, weight, and looks that thing seems to be one of the best options for our trucks. And selfishly I live close enough to not pay for shipping which is a win in my book.

 

yes they were once I got the adapter for DT/H11 from Cali raised. Many other options though. I went with that one because it was short and next day delivery off Amazon.

 

Not selfish at all! I wish I had that option. $390 for freight shipping sucks!

 

Cali Raised LED Tacoma, Tundra, and 4Runner Fog Light Pod H11 OEM Adaptor

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06W5XCF9P?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

link for the ones I got.

 

Thanks for the review. I’m going to order one of these in a couple of months. I have full RCI skid plates under my Tundra and they have been rock solid and built well.

They’re an hour north of me and I’d prefer to apply the freight shipping toward a winch.
Seems like it’s well built, which I would expect from them.
I have the Diode Dynamic ditch lights and they’ve been very solid. Would plan to go with the set that they offer too.

 

The bumper does seem to be very well built and is stout. Everything was super easy to mount and wire. I'm wanting to get and RCI engine skid soon. Can't go wrong with DD lighting! I just cant afford it now.

 

Are these the steel or aluminum skids? Trying to decide which one I want.

 

Pulled the trigger on one today! The approach angle is what swayed be away from the C4 Hybrid and towards the RCI. It looks second to none

 

Awesome! It has a good approach angel for sure. So far it has held up well. No rust through the powder coating which is nice. The lower weight is what sold me. Did you get to bull bar option or plain? Any idea on lights?

 

Oh yeah, the lower weight was a huge selling point for me too. Yes on bull bar, it looks like it's the perfect height and angle. No on lights for now, I wanted to keep cost as low as possible (while still powder coating), but I'll definitely add some later. I'll wait for some sales on Baja Designs or something comparable.

 

sweet. I hope you like it!

 

picked mine up this morning

 

Wanna have an RCI install party?

 

Did anyone else get theirs installed. Trying to decide between RCI and Victory, both no bull bar.

 

I was between both brands also however with bull bars. I have not heard too much about the Victory 4x4 bumper.

 

I’m also looking at the RCI.

 

Does look clean. I noticed with the Victory model you would need to use 4"x4" pod lights to fill the cut out in the bumper. Smaller lights could be used, you would just have a gap around them.

 

I’d love to see more pictures of your RCI if you get a chance. I have their skid plate which seems like good quality.

 

FYI....Victory use to be an approved vendor here. Emphasis on "used to be". Just sayin.

 

Yeah I saw that. I think I read it was because members having issues with their roof rack.

 

The main issue is how it was handled by Victory irregardless whether a roof rack or bumper. As in not handled. Integrity counts here with vendors. Victory got perma-banned.

 

Thanks for the heads up. Too bad because I really like the profile on their front bumper from what I see in the pictures.