I am looking to buy a bull bar for my 07. It's more so for looks and maybe some performance. With that being said, I don't want to spend a whole bunch of money on one. I found one on truckgeardirect.com for 100 bucks plus shipping.
Sure new bumber is a better option. But bull bar DOES help dampning the impact....IF it is good quality and connects at two places (steelcraft) instead of one place (Westin)
I hit a light pole with a Steelcraft Bull Bar with almost no damage to the 4Runner. Details and pics in the thread
I disagree with this. Defense exhibit A is Bobby Zee's thread. If a $170 bull bar saved his bumper in a 20mph collision, then I think it is well worth the money. I would agree that a collision at a higher speed would have destroyed the bull bar and bumper, but nothing short of an aftermarket off-road bumper, like Shrockworks would be able to withstand that type of impact.
No, the bull bars are a fraction of what the off-road bumpers cost. In fact, you could buy 6+ bull bars for the price of one bumper. And that's before you add in what you'll have to pay for a lift so the front end of your truck doesn't sag.
You want to talk about a damage multiplier, consider how much additional damage you'd do to someone else's car in an accident if you hit them with a steel bumper. A minor fender bender could turn into a much greater repair/injury.
That said, a steel bumper does offer much better protection if you're the one that's hit.
If that is the direction you want to go, check out the Shrockworks Group Buy link in my signature.
