ARB Winch Bumper Install - DasMule Expedition Outfitters

[SilverBullet1997]

Got my ARB Winch Bumper installed today at DasMule Expedition Outfitters in Issaquah Washington, they had to custom make a bracket for the bumper. Mine is the second one to be wearing this bumper.

Astro day at the fab shop.


My van up front, his buddies in the middle, and his green one in the back there, all will be wearing the bumper.

Joe from DasMule fitting the bumper.


Out front of the fab shop


Out front of the retail store across the street.



We installed some small LED turn signals in the fender, and tossed an amber reflector on the bumper to stay legal.
LED turn signal light and amber reflector.


Great company, they are building an Expedition Astro of their own.

Also,The previous owner had PIAA lights installed on the van at some time, probably fog lights, so the wiring was already there, so I got a set of PIAA lights off a buddy for 40$.


Copied from astrosafari.com
Original post: http://www.astrosafari.com/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=75041

Hi Guys, Thought we better jump on here and answer some questions.

It took some work and time down at the ARB warehouse to figure out an off the shelf bumper that looked like it would work. The one we chose seems to fit pretty nicely but does require custom mounting brackets. Our Astro, Silver Bullet's and another buddy's van became the test vans for creating the bracket kit and resulted in the pics that have been posted.

If there is enough interest, we do plan to offer the bumper and the brackets with full instructions and modification templates. It looks like the cost for the kit will be around $1150 - $1250. Labor would be additional or DIY.

- Mule Expedition Outfitters

Let me just say, Joe and Dana are the owners of DasMule Expedition Outfitters, in Issaquah, Washington, they are very community orientated, they work with a few off-road clubs and overland clubs here in the Northwest, they have built up westfalias and VW buses for a while, and decided it was time to sink their teeth in to the Astros to see what kind of aftermarket help and parts they could offer us.

Their Facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/pages/Mule-Exped ... 3488393618

Their official website:
http://www.dasmule.com/

I hope this helps..

Thanks Joe and Dana. I LOVE my bumper.

[Slicky]

Looking good

[Stroverlander]

Looks great SB!

I too would like to know what ARB part number bumper that is but can understand DasMule possibly being protective of the work they put in to researching, sourcing, modifying/fabricating and wanting to possibly sell as a kit.

For me, that bumper would be just about perfect without the brush guard/headlight surround for a bit lower profile.

Also, great to see a shop with several Astros in it being outfitted, can't wait to see the DasMule Astro! I've always liked that green VW and have a few pics of it as a background on my computer. Didn't know it was theirs (pre-graphics obviously...) until T.Low posted something recently about DasMule as well.

Any post installation torsion key adjustment?

[SilverBullet1997]

I have not done any post-install adjustments yet, hasn't seemed to need it, once I get it out on the trail I will see, didn't really change the ride height up front with the bumper install, I will say the approach angle is now way better though.

[Astrophysics]

The ARB bumper and bracket kit sounds great. I would like to order one for my 2003 AWD Astro which has 2" Overland luft.

Please let me know if kit becomes available.

AP

[Slicky]

Any chance of getting a side profile picture , curious how far it sticks out.

[SilverBullet1997]

The ARB bumper and bracket kit sounds great. I would like to order one for my 2003 AWD Astro which has 2" Overland luft.

Please let me know if kit becomes available.

AP

Email info@DasMule.Com if you are interested, they should be able to set you up with what you need.

[SilverBullet1997]

Any chance of getting a side profile picture , curious how far it sticks out.

I will try to take one tomorrow.

[Herbie]

I've emailed the link Silverbullet posted and expressed my interest. I suggest anyone else who's interested do the same.

My one niggle is that I wish an aluminum bumper were available - I'm slightly worried what putting all that steel on the front will do to the front suspension...

[SilverBullet1997]

DasMule is closed Sunday and Monday, so you will probably not hear back from them today.

[SilverBullet1997]

Here are the requested pics.

Front down low:


I would say it doesn't stick out much farther then the stock bumper.

[Astrophysics]

I emailed Das Mule and got a nice reply from Dana.
In a few weeks they plan to have production capabilty to build the adapter brackets.
They will most likely sell the brackets and template for other necessary modifications. This way we can source the actual ARB bumper locally near our home town. This will save the shipping cost of the heavy bulky bumper itself.
I view the bumper as a safety improvement for my van. I place high prioriy on safety.
Safety First,
Adventure Always!

Long live the Astro and Safari vans.

AP

[SilverBullet1997]

I emailed Das Mule and got a nice reply from Dana.
In a few weeks they plan to have production capabilty to build the adapter brackets.
They will most likely sell the brackets and template for other necessary modifications. This way we can source the actual ARB bumper locally near our home town. This will save the shipping cost of the heavy bulky bumper itself.
I view the bumper as a safety improvement for my van. I place high prioriy on safety.
Safety First,
Adventure Always!

Long live the Astro and Safari vans.

AP

Awesome, I am glad they were able to get back to you quickly.

[Herbie]

I emailed Das Mule and got a nice reply from Dana.
In a few weeks they plan to have production capabilty to build the adapter brackets.
They will most likely sell the brackets and template for other necessary modifications. This way we can source the actual ARB bumper locally near our home town. This will save the shipping cost of the heavy bulky bumper itself.
I view the bumper as a safety improvement for my van. I place high prioriy on safety.
Safety First,
Adventure Always!

Long live the Astro and Safari vans.

AP

Got similar reply. Happy that they're moving forward and seeing our enthusiasm.

[Astrophysics]

Yes, a good front bumper is important.
Remember the good bumpers up to 1982 on vehicles had to withstand a 10 mph impact. Then the DOT changed that to 5 or even 2 mph impact to save weight.
The ARB bumper looks like one of the best. The ARB USA factory store is in WA state.

The cost and labor of new grille, radiator headlights, oem bumper, etc, in event of hitting a deer on the road would exceed cost of ARB bumper.

The ARB bumper looks sharp too and i can finally remove the oem bumper and its low hanging plastic trim.

AP