Frame Mounted Heavy Duty Bull Bar (Looking - Please Help!)

[BamaDrewski]

I have been scouring the internet looking for a HEAVY DUTY, frame mounted bull bar/push bar for my factory bumpered 2000 Toyota 4Runner Limited. I have one that is pretty cheesy and it only holds up my KC HiLiters. I am looking for something good looking, substantial and again, I want this suck bolted to the frame so if I actually hit something, it can handle it. I contacted Schrockworks thinking they might be able to make one pretty easy (and maybe even develop a new product) but I was disappointed with the "tone" of the email I received. I was simply asking a question and the response was almost "dismissive." I know they make money on great bumpers but how hard could it be to make a beefy bull bar for those who want to keep the overall look of the original 4runner front end? Geez....maybe someone was just having a bad day.

Anyone have any ideas? I am willing to pay a reasonable price and even a bit more if it meets the requirements above.

 

[JWaldz]

The site has a built in search feature.. Just FYI

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/102876-bumper-list.html


This will probably help you out as well for the future. Bookmark it :thumb3:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/off-t...far-more-accurately-than-standard-method.html

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

from what I'VE seen, the bull bars on the market are more for looks than anything else. My buddy had one on my truck when i bought it from him, i gave it to the scrap guy immediately. where in alabama are you? i have alway wanted to build a bull bar type thing its just that i have no interest in making something like whats on the market already, since they dont really "work" IMO

 

[1985taylor1925]

I have a bull bar which I got from truckgeardirect.com

The thing about bull bars is that they all have the same basic design, in that they mount beneath the bumper and have no supports above that point. With the distance between the mounting points and the top of the bull bar, its relatively easy to bend those brackets by applying force against the bull bar. Theres a ton of leverage working against those brackets. I could bend mine an inch or so just by planting my feet and pushing into it.

My bull bar would actually vibrate just hitting bumps due to the weakness in the mounting brackets. So I beefed them up, which cured the vibrations. But its still no where NEAR strong enough to be considered a structural piece in the front end. Of course you could make it a structural piece. I thought about welding bars to the inside of the bull bar and running them through the bumper area and then weld/bolt them to the frame. Then you have a reinforced bull bar directly linked to the frame. I also like my stock bumper and have looked at several ways to beef it up. Really it wouldnt be that difficult. But then again, I dont have a welder . . . So that kinda makes it difficult for me

 

[1985taylor1925]

By the way my bull bar is mounted directly to the frame. But again that doesnt mean anything considering the distance between the mounting brackets and top of bull bar

 

[BamaDrewski]

I live outside of Montgomery and I am with you, I want a bull bar that is different. I want something that looks lean and mean, that can handle a hit and is substantial. I have a design in mind and I think it would be fairly easy to fabricate. I know this sounds crazy but something along the lines of the push bars on the Police Crown Vics and New Taurus - but beefier for the look of the T4R. I am NOT looking for a bumper replacement. I am looking for a bull bar/push bar that mounts on the frame and keeps the original bumper.

 

[1985taylor1925]

I live outside of Montgomery and I am with you, I want a bull bar that is different. I want something that looks lean and mean, that can handle a hit and is substantial. I have a design in mind and I think it would be fairly easy to fabricate. I know this sounds crazy but something along the lines of the push bars on the Police Crown Vics and New Taurus - but beefier for the look of the T4R. I am NOT looking for a bumper replacement. I am looking for a bull bar/push bar that mounts on the frame and keeps the original bumper.

You should give it a shot. That'd be cool.

 

[dirtbike250x]

I think the problem with the idea is that such a product is not available for these 4runners, that I'm aware of. Like 85taylor said there is to much leverage at the "impact area" of those bars. I would suggest if you want one you are going to have to make one yourself, with a support at the top of the bar. However, I think that would involve cutting into your factory bumper. Not an impossible project, just bull bars leave so much of the front end exposed to be fully protected.

 

[the great him]

Without cutting into your bumper this will never happen. Even the push bars on cops cars have holes cut in the factory bumpers for add supports and re-enforcements. And even with that, they are still weak. The will not hold up to a impact, they are simply there to push something, like a stalled vehicle out.of the intersection/lane.... And yes they are also there for PIT and other uses, but once used for that, they need to be replaced, because of the forces put on them. They also absorb some energy during an impact. But by no means are they made to take hits and be fine. The will ALWAYS be replaced after any impact. These things are not even ment to tow points, nor to they have any tow hooks.


Just my thoughts and experience with them. Unless you are willing to cut up your factory bumper its not gonna happen