Which Bull Bar?

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I'm really considering adding a bull bar, really think it'd look good and I would possibly use it to mount some lights. I'm thinking for lights something like Hella Black Magic lights. I really want some PIAA's because I love the look with the stone shields, but not quite ready to spend that much on lights. The two bars I'm looking at are Westin and Steelcraft. I love the look of the Westin, it's definitely my favorite. However, the Steelcraft mounts in four places instead of two so it'll be more sturdy, and also uses a larger diameter tubing. My 4runner is black with gray accents, and I like the color of the black/stainless Westin. If I got the Steelcraft, I'd have the skid plate powdercoated silver/gray to match the other accents. Which bar would you guys go with? Price will end up being about the same once the powdercoating if factored in. What do you guys think? Thanks.

My 4runner:

Westin:

Steelcraft (thanks JAC!)

And this shows a bar very similar to the Steelcraft, only reason I picture this is to show what it'd be like with the powdercoated skid plate

 

[03v8sportt4r]

For some reason Bull Bars just dont do it for me. I like the Idea of being able to put on some after market lights but not a big fan of the way they look. I know darkie has a cool set up for lights on the front but from what I understand not available for the 03-05 and it is a different purpose than the bull bar. Just my thoughts.

 

[Axis]

I've got a steelcraft waiting to be picked up at a family's place in the US (I'm in Canada-wanted to avoid duty and xtra shipping $$$) so I don't have it YET, but I went with the steelcraft because as you mentioned it attaches at 4 points. To me it looks a lot better than the westin as well, on the T4R anyway. It almost looks like it was custom made for the T4R the way it fits.

BTW I really like the look of yours. I was pretty set on BFG T/A KO's when I upsize my tires but those hankook's look sweet and they're a fair bit less $$$ than the BFG's so I'm seriously considering those.

 

[JAC]

I think it depends on what you really want it for..... both are nice..

I wanted the Westin at first because in my opinion it looks sexier.. but the price for the sexy look was too much for me... I got sold on the Steelcraft because of the reasons you mentioned above and for the price. ..plus it matches better my 4runner than the black Westin with the ss skidplate.
I ended up loving the Steelcraft... I think it embraces the bumper better... ... and you have the option of changing the look also by having the removable skidplate.

 

[gaterose]

I don't really like bull bars either. I would put em on the bumper or get a light bar, but I'm biased.

If you're willing to be patient you can get PIAAs on eBay for as cheap as the black magics. I thought about getting the black magics but got my piaa 580s for $180 (MSRP $350) and the 510s for $100 ($250) I saw 525s that cheap but I wanted the 580s and 510s. I also have some Hella 500s which have the same bulb as the black magic and they weren't NEARLY as bright as my PIAAs now. I even replaced the stock Hella 55w h3 bulb with a 100w bulb but still don't think they compared to the PIAAs. I just noticed in some other posts you were talking about wanting more light and thought I'd throw that in there.

 

[ran]

Hope to buy the SteelCraft soon for the reason Julie said.

 

[morphius909]

This is a great thread. Ive been once again contemplating a bullbar. Seem to every summer

I like the westin minus the price.

I'm also envious of your rigs. I was just cleaning ours today and noticed our front end (bumper, grill, etc) and it looks like someone sandblasted it! Oh Canadian Winters

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Yep, I end up wanting one every couple of months, then something else will come up. In this case price isn't a factor. My 4runner is black with the silver accents, so I like the look of the black with stainless skid plate. I can get the Steelcraft for $80 cheaper, but then I'll pay $50 or so to have the skid plate powdercoated so it isn't a big deal. The Steelcraft is wider than the Westin, and IMO it follows the lines of the 4runner better. I like the skid plate design of the Westin better, and Westin also has a current promotion where you can get a free set of Westin lights with the purchase of the bull bar. I'm not sure how good quality they are, but they'd work. I still like the stock look too, so this has/is probably the toughest choice I've had to make on mods thus far.

 

[borgzman]

Steelcraft..:thumb3:

But if you are doing it to mount some light, are you not considering a lightbar instead? like the Defiant?

 

[teampwr2]

I Had a westin and it wiggled alot ..drove me crazy watching the lights wiggle.

 

[audiqtr]

is it true people have installment issues with the Steelcraft on 08+ models?

 

[prashidi]

Just wanted to let everyone know that I installed the steelcraft bull bar purchased from autoanything.com over the holidays on a 2008 V6 4Runner without any problems. Used the instructions on this forum and didnt need a bracket.

 

[CXS]

Not a fan either, we call them "damage multipliers."

 

[galactic_04]

I love the steelcraft bullbar. The problem I have with the Westin is the little plastic thing in the corner of it... just makes it look cheap... and they charge MORE for it! I want a manly weld there! Keep in mind you're limited by the height of the light. You can fit about a 6.5" high light in there. I don't think the black magic lights will fit. I have 5" KC driving lights there and they work awsome.

Just got the FJ Aux switch in last night, works great with a backlight and an on/off light:

 

[chaz]

steelcraft ,for the extra mounting points.