Best Bull Bar/Driving Lights (On a budget)

J

jag00035

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Hi, I want to buy a bull bar and driving lights for my 2005 SR5, to give it the 'offroad' look while making it easier to drive at my cabin (small town, pretty much no street lighting, and LOTS of wildlife).

I was mainly looking at the Westin Ultimate Bull Bar, but do you guys have any better (read: more bang for buck) alternatives?

As for the driving lights, I'm looking for something basic, where I don't have to hunt down a bunch of addtional equipment. Can anyone suggest some brands/models? Also, some online sources package driving lights with the Westin bull bar, like here: WESTIN® - Ultimate Bull Bar - 2003 Toyota 4Runner Bull Bar
Would that just be wasting money? Or is that a good deal?

Thanks.
 
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I'd avoid the Westin. Only one I'd consider is a Steelcraft. It can be had for around $200 I believe and is much stronger than most on the market. Truckgeardirect sells some on ebay for cheap. I've not seen anyone use that particular bar, but several have purchased a different bar from them and seem to be happy. I'm no pro on lights, but I believe Hella 500's are a good budget light setup.
 
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER said:
I'd avoid the Westin. Only one I'd consider is a Steelcraft. It can be had for around $200 I believe and is much stronger than most on the market. Truckgeardirect sells some on ebay for cheap. I've not seen anyone use that particular bar, but several have purchased a different bar from them and seem to be happy. I'm no pro on lights, but I believe Hella 500's are a good budget light setup.
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Any specific reason to avoid the Westin? I'm not crawling or anything paticularly challenging, just trails and general stuff up north.

EDIT: I looked at truckgeardirect's products, and their bull bars are half as much as the westin, any reason for that? I just don't want to buy some cheap ebay product, I want to know if the truckgeardirect stuff is solid.
 
I don't know of anyone with that particular bar, but I do know that quite a few guys picked up a bumper guard from them a year or so ago when they had them on clearance. From what I read here, guys loved them. Fit/finish/quality seemed to be good, and they got them for under $100 shipped. Completely different style though.

Several reasons I prefer Steelcraft over Westin. Other than a few complaints that the Westin shakes (noticeable at night with lights on), I can't say I have anything against the Westin. However, I can say you can get much better for your money. The Steelcraft is beefier (made out of 3" tubing in place of 2.5") and also mounts in four places instead of two like the Westin (and most other bars). The extra mounting locations make the Steelcraft more sturdy (no shaking) and will also hold up better to abuse. I also believe the Steelcraft is wider so it covers a little more area on the bumper. And finally, you get more bang for the buck as the Steelcraft is cheaper. I just priced it, you can get it shipped to your door for $180 (black version). Here's the site, use promo code roadtrip to save $25. That code expires today, but they almost always offer at least a 10%-15% discount. The only suggestion I have is to call and verify they have them in stock, I know several who have had to wait quite a while on backorders from them (good experiences otherwise, just not always the fastest to get items in stock).
 
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER said:
I don't know of anyone with that particular bar, but I do know that quite a few guys picked up a bumper guard from them a year or so ago when they had them on clearance. From what I read here, guys loved them. Fit/finish/quality seemed to be good, and they got them for under $100 shipped. Completely different style though.

Several reasons I prefer Steelcraft over Westin. Other than a few complaints that the Westin shakes (noticeable at night with lights on), I can't say I have anything against the Westin. However, I can say you can get much better for your money. The Steelcraft is beefier (made out of 3" tubing in place of 2.5") and also mounts in four places instead of two like the Westin (and most other bars). The extra mounting locations make the Steelcraft more sturdy (no shaking) and will also hold up better to abuse. I also believe the Steelcraft is wider so it covers a little more area on the bumper. And finally, you get more bang for the buck as the Steelcraft is cheaper. I just priced it, you can get it shipped to your door for $180 (black version). Here's the site, use promo code roadtrip to save $25. That code expires today, but they almost always offer at least a 10%-15% discount. The only suggestion I have is to call and verify they have them in stock, I know several who have had to wait quite a while on backorders from them (good experiences otherwise, just not always the fastest to get items in stock).
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So It looks like I'm buying a Steelcraft bar, just don't know from where yet. My next question is about lights. If I buy a pair of Hella 500's off Amazon/eBay, would I need to buy additional equipment (wiring, mounting brackets, etc.)?

EDIT: I've looked at the 500's at automotiveanything, and it says it comes with evrything I need. I think that's what I'm going to go with. My question now is where can I get OEM-style switches w/ indicators?
 
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Autoanything is cheap on most of their stuff. Again, only complaints I've seen is on shipping delays if the item isn't in stock. I called them before ordering and was quickly told if the item was in stock (it wasn't, and I ended up not ordering it at all). Just be sure to call or be willing to wait. Their price is definitely the cheapest I've seen.

The Hella's come with everything you need. If you prefer a OEM type switch, you can get that. People use a factory switch out of the FJ Cruiser. This switch is great, but pricey. Some have used the Tacoma switch as well. The Tacoma switch is still OEM and looks good, I believe the difference is that it isn't lighted (not 100% sure on that). It isn't as simple as getting just the switch, you need some other stuff with it. Best price I've found is here, that include everything you'll need for the install.

Several here have the Steelcraft, one that comes to mind in JAC. You may search through her posts to find pics.
 
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER said:
Autoanything is cheap on most of their stuff. Again, only complaints I've seen is on shipping delays if the item isn't in stock. I called them before ordering and was quickly told if the item was in stock (it wasn't, and I ended up not ordering it at all). Just be sure to call or be willing to wait. Their price is definitely the cheapest I've seen.

The Hella's come with everything you need. If you prefer a OEM type switch, you can get that. People use a factory switch out of the FJ Cruiser. This switch is great, but pricey. Some have used the Tacoma switch as well. The Tacoma switch is still OEM and looks good, I believe the difference is that it isn't lighted (not 100% sure on that). It isn't as simple as getting just the switch, you need some other stuff with it. Best price I've found is here, that include everything you'll need for the install.

Several here have the Steelcraft, one that comes to mind in JAC. You may search through her posts to find pics.
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Wow, $70 for a switch! I'll be keeping my eyes out for a deal on that one. Or a Tacoma switch, if there's a significant difference in price.
 
You can use any generic switch, but if you want the true OEM look that's what folks go with. The Tacoma switch is cheaper, I'm just not sure if it requires the harness and such like the FJ one does. Can't help you on that one. There will be a switch in the kit, just won't have the OEM look.
 
I had a weston with lights on it. it looked cool. it got completely destroyed from me running into my friends trailer ball.. I bought a steelcraft to replace it. almost twice the size, and four as opposed to only two mounting points. very sturdy. a rav4 backed into it, doing 2400 in damage to it's rear door, and a minor ding to me. I recommend kc slimlites, because they actually fit where the bar protects them. steelcraft is legit.
4b41ffd1-b5e7-e823.jpg

see the dent from the rav4 on the top? haha
 
rtuck1 said:
I bought one off of ebay that i love. It was cheap, it came with lights and it gets the job done. It is sturdy and has kept me from tearing up my front bumper on many different occasions while off road. Best thing about it is once it is too beat up i can order another one for cheap and replace it.

Combo:03-08 Toyota 4-Runner Bull Bar Black+Westin Light | eBay
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This would save me $80 over a Steelcraft + Hella 500's, but I'm a little concerned about the lights. What's the quality? I would be more comfortable buying Hellas because they have the name behnd them.
 
I got one from SteelCraft from Autoanything, which IMO is really sturdy as it connects to frame at two places. I got some Hella 500 off ebay and got them installed over the weekend. Bullbar + Hella500 combo ran me about $250 and I'm very happy with this setup.:D
 

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I'd also recommend the Hella 500s. I had them on my 3rd gen & now on my 4th gen & have had no problems with either pair. Autoanything.com has been good for me in the past (although slow shipping like someone else mentioned). I got my hellas a few months ago from streetsideauto.com. They have a low-price guarantee & they shipped them pretty quick too.
 
I had the Westin Ultimate bull bar for 3 years...
I had to remove it because it was rusting out (Chicago winters)

It was perfect to protect my front bumper from morons who parallel park by backing into your truck.
 
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Ok what I meant to say is this. the westin is complete crap. ya sure it will hold two lights, but the steelcraft will hold four. the westin is so flimsy if you put weight on it, it will bend until it breaks. I can stand and jump around on my steelcraft. seriously. it's that big of an improvement. ya, the steelcraft may cost more, but you get what you pay for. oh ya, did I mention the steelcraft dosent have a gay logo engraved into the skid plate?
 
jag00035 said:
This would save me $80 over a Steelcraft + Hella 500's, but I'm a little concerned about the lights. What's the quality? I would be more comfortable buying Hellas because they have the name behnd them.
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They are great quality very bright and durable and so is the bar. I love it so far.
 
I have the Steelcraft and it's a beefy chunk of metal. I've hit the concrete parking garage wall wtih mine and a slight impact with a car - no damage. I have 5" Hella lights on mine. I'd recommend it over the Westin. It's cheaper and the plastic on the Westin bugs me.

IMG_3921Medium.jpg~original


bullbarsmall.jpg~original
 
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