bull / push bar

GROVERUNNER

GROVERUNNER

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OK Ive been searching on here for some answers but cant find anything specifically. I was wondering if anyone has these semi-cheap bull bars off eBay? Most of them have a spot for lights, which isnt my concern. They say that they bolt right on which is usually never the case. Just wondering if anyone had any opinions on these and how hard/easy are they to install? and do you think they add any kind of stability or help your runner out if in an accident?

PS. Im asking this question because im passing the runner on to my wife and going to have a newborn shortly so I want to make it safer for them to be in.

Thanks in advance for any info!!
 
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Unless it welds or bolts directly to the frame, it offers nothing in terms of protection and it just one more thing to break and make it tighter to park. Most of the cheap stuff just bolts to bumper mounts, etc.
 
These trucks are already ridiculously safe. I got hit by a minivan going 40mph+ and left without a scratch. The accident was so bad it bent the frame and totaled the truck (I used to have a 2003 SR5). The bull bars won't add any additional protection IMO. It will only benefit by protecting the bumper cover a little more in the event you bump another car or a deer or something.
 
NJshadow93 said:
These trucks are already ridiculously safe. I got hit by a minivan going 40mph+ and left without a scratch. The accident was so bad it bent the frame and totaled the truck (I used to have a 2003 SR5). The bull bars won't add any additional protection IMO. It will only benefit by protecting the bumper cover a little more in the event you bump another car or a deer or something.
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Hitting deer is a huge problem here
 
jbmccul said:
No, not hitting a deer, bumping a deer. If you're worried about hitting deer, buy an ARB.
Click to expand...

Agreed, those bull bars (such as Westin, Steelcraft, Aries, etc.) are mostly cosmetic and to mount lights. The protection they do offer to the vehicle is extremely limited and it would have to be a slow impact.

I had one on my old RAV4, I rear ended another car, I had slammed on the brakes so I was probably doing 10-15 mph when the collision occurred. The bull bar bent back and took all the damage. My only damage was the grille cracked when the bull bar bent backward and hit it. The other car did not have a dent, just a tiny scratch. Had I not had it in that situation, damages to both vehicles would have been much worse.

Another example, however, is when my sister rear ended a car when the driver suddenly stopped in front of her on an on-ramp. She had a brush guard and it created more damage to the car than it would have had without it. The only thing I could think of that was saved by it was the radiator. But as mentioned, the ARB is a true bull bar made to protect the vehicle from larger animals. Not cheap though.
 
I know they are cheap and I'll have a steel bumper one day, but my bullbar has saved me THOUSANDS in front end repair. but then again I like to bump into stuff
 
Pretty much the bull bars and brush guards you buy are mostly cosmetic and designed for low speed, low force use. i.e. pushing trash cans around and maybe a cow out of the way while going around 10mph.

If you're honestly worried about hitting something like a deer at high speed, you're best bet is to invest in a steel bumper. The problem with the bull bars and brush guards is that they only attach on the very bottom of the vehicle and thus have a great tendency to bend into the grill area of the vehicle in a moderate impact causing far more damage to the vehicle.
 
There was a thread on here a while ago of a guy with the Steelcraft bull bar that hit a telephone pole and it pretty much took the major damage and did a decent job.

Also, I heard Steelcraft stopped making them bolt onto 4 spots, only two now, is this true? I was interested in a Steelcraft or nothing at all (unless I go for an off road bumper down the road)
 
beretta's Steelcraft is pretty damn sturdy. However, his is the only one like that I've seen. The rest are just the 2 mounting point kind.
 
I have one on my truck and it bolts directly to the frame. Agree this is for lower speed impacts etc...but I liked the way it looks with my set up. I did not buy this for the "just in case I hit a deer" scenario. The cheaper manufactures use a cheaper less expensive way to chrome the metal as well, so not sure if you pay more you will get less chipping etc from the chrome, but some of them advertise their chroming process and they do come with some sort of warranty. with a 3.5" lift and all...I have it there for the goofball that decides to nose in a bit to closely at the Costco parking lot of which they will hit that first vs. my bumper and or license plate bracket.
 
I have one of those bull bars from ebay. Ya it was cheap, but I like the way it looks and holds my fog lights very well. Install was very easy and it lined up great. I do know that it will offer almost zero protection if I hit anything with it but it serves my purpose of holding my fog lights. Here is a pic of when I first installed it
 

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