Westin ultimate bull bar or Defiant light bar

[Drew1853]

I was looking at getting ether of these for looks and some aux lighting. I just wanted to see what you guys think. I'm 50/50 undecided, I like them both the same but I'm not sure if I'd like the bulk of the bull bar on my 2WD but if I got the defiant I'd probably be paying for an extra set of lights.

http://defianttruckproducts.com/display_part/81.php

http://www.westinautomotive.com/hires/ko/KOBB501W.jpg

 

[dc.T4x4R]

I voted for the Defiant bc of a few reasons..You'll find a bunch of guys, on this site, that run either the Westin Ultimate and the Defiant. But with the Westin bull bar, although it might look nice, it's true intended use is just that - for looks. Yea, of course it'll give some protection but many guys say that the bar, isn't as sturdy as they'd like it to be and gives a little.
Where as the Defiant bar is constructed really well and I've read, from multiple guys (BlairB being one of them) that the thing is pretty damn solid. Plus, not to mention that when you mount lights to the Defiant, the lights will sit much higher up, compared to the Westin bar, and will be less prone to breaking. That's just MHO :thumb3:

 

[dc.T4x4R]

One more thing - The Westin Ultimate bar is priced around $280.00 where as the Defiant Bar is around $260.00. It's only about a $20 or so diff. but, like you mentioned, you'll be more likely to buy lights for the Defiant, which can run you a lot of extra $$ depending on which lights ya go with.
If $$ isn't an issue, I'd take the dive and go for the Defiant!

 

[darkie3495]

I vote for defiant but im also a bit biased. Although i think the 4 light looks better, you could always order one with 2 light tabs. Or just do the 4 light tabs, mount 2 for the time being and mount the remaining 2 when funds allow.

 

[BlairB]

I vote for defiant but im also a bit biased. Although i think the 4 light looks better, you could always order one with 2 light tabs. Or just do the 4 light tabs, mount 2 for the time being and mount the remaining 2 when funds allow.

+1

Defiant is a great product. It definitely is built to serve a purpose, to hold lights and is very solid. Another thing I dont like about all the other products is they will decrease your approach angles, the Defiant will not.

But I am biased as well...

 

[andyman32392]

:worthless
I can't help you decide if i dont know what they look like.:redbrick:

 

[Drew1853]

Thanks for all of the input, I edited the original post to include links, right now I'm leaning towards the defiant, I like how it looks on other peoples trucks.

 

[BlairB]

Here is the Defiant on my truck

 

[BlairB]

and that would be my truck on the website!

 

[woodyc]

BlairB. Your truck looks really nice. I vote for the Defiant. It is cleaner looking and seems to fit closer to the vehicle. The Westin looks a little bulky to me.

 

[darkie3495]

and that would be my truck on the website!

Looks like you need to send paul an updated pic...

 

[BlairB]

Looks like you need to send paul an updated pic...

Yeah, I really should. That was early on in my trucks life...

 

[MikesToy]

I vote for westin. I like the mean looking front plus you can hook a set of lights. Also, you get the Westin signature skid plate look too.

 

[GRIMACE]

I just installed my Defiant 4tab bar from Paul. Its a really solid bar. You can get Paul to make a custom bar for you if need be. He actually made a Pre-runner bar for me but I thought the hoop looked wacky. So I went with the standard bar.

I plan on mounting a set of Hella Black Magics in the middle. What other lights should I mount with them? I was thinking of ditching the Magics and just getting two sets Hella 500 driving and fog lights

 

[JAC]

Since your rig is like mine...a 2wd...I will go with Westin. The Defiant looks very cool I do like it a lot...but it is more for an offroad vehicle...if you get that one you would have to do a makeover like Blair B's rig ....otherwise it would make no sense.....Also if you get the defiant u most install some driving lights,...the bar by itself would look pointless ..matter of fact that bar was made specially to mount aux lights if I am not mistaein ...cuz I do not see it gives you any proteccion. On the other hand the Westin or any other brand Bull Bar looks good even without aux driving lights..plus it gives your truck some proteccion "not the best" but some, if you live in a Deer crossing area and also when parking . JMHO

Later

 

[darkie3495]

Since your rig is like mine...a 2wd...I will go with Westin. The Defiant looks very cool I do like it a lot...but it is more for an offroad vehicle...if you get that one you would have to do a makeover like Blair B's rig ....otherwise it would make no sense.....Also if you get the defiant u most install some driving lights,...the bar by itself would look pointless ..matter of fact that bar was made specially to mount aux lights if I am not mistaking ...cuz I do not see it gives you any proteccion. On the other hand the Westin or any other brand Bull Bar looks good even without aux driving lights..plus it gives your truck some proteccion "not the best" but some, if you live in a Deer crossing area and also when parking . JMHO

Later

I don't think it's only for offroad vehicles or you have to do a full offroad makeover with the defiant bar. Here's mine before i added all the offroad gear:

Thankfully i did an offroad makeover so i make sense again:jk:

 

[JAC]

I don't think it's only for offroad vehicles or you have to do a full offroad makeover with the defiant bar. Here's mine before i added all the offroad gear:

Thankfully i did an offroad makeover so i make sense again:jk:

Hey ...hold on...I am not saying that the defiant does not look good.... The defiant looks very nice on the 4r but compare the first pic with the last one The last one looks much better...because the lights at the top and the roof basket compliments the front set up very well and blends nicely. If you take off the driving lights from the defiant bar...it just gonna look like a piece of extra steel in front of your grill.
And this is just my personal opinion. I rather go with the bull bar because you can use it with or without driving lights and it still gonna look good .....and at least gives a little protection to your front bumper by intimidating the other drivers when parking or aproaching your 4r...lol

BTW you ride is Sick!...

 

[darkie3495]

Hey ...hold on...I am not saying that the defiant does not look good.... The defiant looks very nice on the 4r but compare the first pic with the last one The last one looks much better...because the lights at the top and the roof basket compliments the front set up very well and blends nicely. If you take off the driving lights from the defiant bar...it just gonna look like a piece of extra steel in front of your grill.
And this is just my personal opinion. I rather go with the bull bar because you can use it with or without driving lights and it still gonna look good.

BTW you ride is Sick!...

I know you weren't saying it didn't look good. Just thought i'd give you a hard time. :thumb3: I agree, the defiant does look funny if you don't have lights.

Thanks for the compliments. :cheers:

 

[sheik]

Both look nice, and I tend to agree with JAC that the Defiant looks better with more offroad accessories.

My opinion is this:
If you need 4 lights, get the Defiant.

If all you need is 2 lights, get the Westin.

(if you bolt the Westin on with the factory nuts and the brackets oriented correctly, so they make contact with the tow hooks, it is pretty secure) The Westin installation instructions tell you to install the brackets over the factory nuts- don't do that.

 

[Slvr RnR]

Since your rig is like mine...a 2wd...I will go with Westin. The Defiant looks very cool I do like it a lot...but it is more for an offroad vehicle...if you get that one you would have to do a makeover like Blair B's rig ....otherwise it would make no sense.....Also if you get the defiant u most install some driving lights,...the bar by itself would look pointless ..matter of fact that bar was made specially to mount aux lights if I am not mistaking ...cuz I do not see it gives you any proteccion. On the other hand the Westin or any other brand Bull Bar looks good even without aux driving lights..plus it gives your truck some proteccion "not the best" but some, if you live in a Deer crossing area and also when parking . JMHO

Later

Very good points. Although I don't think having the defiant bar means you have to "Blair out" your rig. It probably looks better with a lift, meaty tires and more but I think the defiant bar can be just as much an accessory as the Westin. Maybe just more practicle in terms of off road gear.

I currently have the Westin Ultimate Bull bar with a pair of PIAA 520 Plasma fogs mounted. I like it but since I have Titanium Metalic I figured chrome would look best. It looks O.K. and I get a lot of compliments, but it's too much chrome for me and I'm selling the Westin and going with the Defiant along with a 2nd set of PIAA 520's (smr).

Good discussoin though.