ARB Bruiser HD and Old Man Emu Kit Give Your 2023+ Super Duty Armor and Lift

Quick Facts:

  • Product: ARB Bruiser HD front bumper for 2023+ Ford F-250 and F-350.
  • Suspension: Old Man Emu kit for the same trucks, named OME MT64-R on ARB’s build page.
  • Lift: 3 inches on ARB’s SEMA page; 3.5 inches on its build page.
  • Tires: Up to 37 inches on ARB’s 2027 F-250 Platinum build.
  • Shown at: SEMA Show, November 3 to 6, 2026, Las Vegas, booth 55063.
  • Price and ship date: Not published by ARB as of November 4.
  • Best for: 2023 and newer Super Duty owners planning a trail or work build.

 5 min read

Overview

The ARB Bruiser HD front bumper pairs with a matching Old Man Emu kit. Together, they give 2023+ Ford F-250 and F-350 owners armor and lift from one brand. ARB showed both at SEMA 2026 in Las Vegas on a 2027 F-250 Platinum. Does a stock bumper or a stock ride hold your Super Duty back? ARB lists both parts for your truck, but pricing and fitment details are still missing.

Details come from ARB’s own SEMA 2026 page. The bumper uses heavy-duty steel, welded mesh, a front hitch and twin recovery points. The suspension fits 37-inch tires. However, ARB has not posted a price or ship date as of November 4.

Whatever ARB charges, 37-inch tires change your routine at the trailhead. ARB’s F-250 runs 37×12.50R18 Nitto Trail Grappler tires. Tires this size hold a lot of air, so airing back up is slow with a weak pump. One 12-volt option is the ARB CKMP12 portable air compressor. ARB’s new parts are not sold on Amazon yet, so this is gear you buy today.

🏆 AIRING UP PICK: 37-inch tire owners who air down on trails
ARB CKMP12 Portable Air Compressor 12V High Performance and Output Compressor

ARB CKMP12 Portable Air Compressor 12V High Performance and Output Compressor

★★★★☆ 4.6 400 ratings
$401.70 as of Nov 4, 4:57 pm

A portable ARB compressor for refilling tires after airing down.

✓ Pros
  • 12-volt operation
  • 2-year warranty
  • Over-pressure safety valve
✕ Cons
  • Draws 23 amps under load
  • Rated 2.2 CFM at 29 psi, so big tires take time
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

ARB Bruiser HD Armor, Recovery Points, Lights and Weight

ARB describes the Bruiser HD as a full-size steel bumper with a black powder coat. ARB says it shields the front end from rocks, logs and other obstacles. Two recovery points also let you self-recover or move material around a jobsite, according to ARB’s build page.

Lighting comes built in. The bumper carries LED fog lights, indicators and daytime running lights, plus mounts for auxiliary driving and clearance lights. ARB also states the bumper works with factory safety systems. However, ARB has not published a fitment sheet, so ask ARB which sensors the bumper covers before ordering.

Weight matters too. A steel F-250 front bumper adds load over the front axle, so springs and shocks need to match it. Our guide to choosing shocks for a loaded rig covers this. ARB, the maker of Old Man Emu, advises choosing springs around constant weight, such as a bumper and winch. ARB has not said whether the Bruiser HD takes a winch. Read our factory winch vs aftermarket breakdown first.

ARB’s Old Man Emu Suspension Lifts the Truck and Carries More

Old Man Emu shock on ARB's 2027 Ford F-250 Platinum build
Old Man Emu suspension on ARB’s F-250 build. Photo: ARB USA

Bumper weight is why the ride matters. ARB’s SEMA page lists the kit for 2023+ F-250 and F-350 trucks. It includes 2.8-inch remote reservoir shocks, parabolic rear leaf springs and adjustable airbags, with a 3-inch lift. The build page names the OME MT64-R and calls it a 3.5-inch kit. Treat 3 to 3.5 inches as the range until ARB posts one figure.

The base kit fits 37×12.50 tires. ARB lists 9.25 inches of front travel and 13 inches in the rear. ARB says remote reservoirs help the shocks shed heat under heavy loads. Optional upgrades include radius arms, a sway bar and a steering stabilizer.

The rear is where load matters most. ARB sizes optional parabolic springs by constant load, from the factory rating up to 3,500 pounds above it. Also, ARB claims a 35 percent ride improvement over multi-leaf springs. An airbag kit works with any spring, so you add air when you tow. For any Super Duty lift kit, this load matching is the feature to watch.

Is the ARB Bruiser HD the Bumper on ARB’s Show F-250?

Before you shop, sort out the names. ARB’s pages do not name the show truck’s bumper the same way twice. The SEMA product list calls the new part the Bruiser HD. However, the build section on the same page says the truck wears a Summit X bumper. In addition, the build page’s parts list reads Summit HD, while its text names the Bruiser HD.

Where on ARB’s site Bumper name
SEMA page, product list Bruiser HD.
SEMA page, build section Summit X.
Build page, parts list Summit HD.
Build page, text Bruiser HD.

Until ARB clears this up, treat the Bruiser HD as the new Super Duty part. Verify the product number, match it to your year, trim and sensors, and ask for fitment in writing.

What This Means for You as a Super Duty Owner

If you drive a 2023+ F-250 or F-350, ARB now shows a matched bumper and suspension package for your truck. One gap against Ford’s Tremor package is tire size. Our look at Super Duty Tremor trims covers the factory 35-inch tires, while ARB’s kit supports 37s.

Add up the weight before you commit. A steel F-250 front bumper, 37-inch tires and bed gear all cut into your payload. Our guide shows how to check your truck’s payload first. No Bruiser HD weight is published yet, so wait for it and the price before ordering.

Recovery gear is the easy purchase today. The Bruiser HD adds twin recovery points. Own a rated snatch strap and soft shackle before the bumper arrives. Confirm shackle fit first, because ARB has not published the recovery point opening size. Size every rated part to your truck, since a Super Duty’s GVWR starts at 10,000 pounds. The ARB ARB710LB recovery snatch strap lists a 24,000-pound minimum breaking strength. ARB’s listing advises two to three times your vehicle’s gross mass, which puts a 10,000-pound truck at 2.4 times.

🏆 RECOVERY PICK: Super Duty owners who recover with a second vehicle
ARB ARB710LB 3-1/4" x 30' Recovery Snatch Strap Minimum Breaking Strength 24000 lbs Kinetic Stretch 20% With Reinforced Eyes and Protector Sleeves

ARB ARB710LB 3-1/4" x 30' Recovery Snatch Strap Minimum Breaking Strength 24000 lbs Kinetic Stretch 20% With Reinforced Eyes and Protector Sleeves

★★★★★ 4.9 250 ratings
$99.95 as of Nov 4, 6:36 pm

ARB's 30-foot nylon snatch strap for second-vehicle recoveries.

✓ Pros
  • 24,000 lb minimum breaking strength
  • 30 feet of nylon with 20 percent stretch
  • Reinforced eyes and protector sleeves
✕ Cons
  • Needs a second vehicle to work
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Final Thoughts

I am glad to see armor and a ride built for the weight come from one brand. A heavier steel bumper like the ARB Bruiser HD needs springs sized for the load, and ARB offers ratings up to 3,500 pounds above factory. Load-matched springs and airbags are the strongest part of this package.

Still, several questions remain. ARB has not posted a price, a ship date, a fitment sheet or one lift number. My advice is to hold off on any deposit until ARB answers those points. Then buy the pieces together, so your Super Duty lift kit springs match the bumper weight.

While you wait, plan the rest of your build with our list of overland truck upgrades to install first. Order matters when a heavy bumper, new springs and 37-inch tires all change the same truck.

FAQ

How much lift does the ARB Old Man Emu kit give an F-250?

ARB’s SEMA page lists a 3-inch lift, while its build page calls the OME MT64-R a 3.5-inch kit. Both pages cover 2023+ Super Duty trucks, and ARB says the base kit fits tires up to 37 inches.

Will the ARB Bruiser HD fit a 2023+ F-250 and F-350?

ARB lists the Bruiser HD for 2023+ F-250 and F-350 trucks and showed it on a 2027 F-250 Platinum. It has not published a fitment sheet, so confirm your trim and sensor package with ARB.

What does the Bruiser HD cost, and when does it ship?

ARB has posted no price or ship date for the Bruiser HD or the kit as of November 4. Check ARB’s store after SEMA ends on November 6.

Does the Bruiser HD work with Ford’s factory safety systems?

ARB states the bumper is compatible with factory safety systems. It has not listed which sensors or cameras it covers, so ask ARB for written confirmation before you order.

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