will a bullbar lower my clearance?

[DMC91187]

just wondering ..ive heard ( dont know how reliable the source was ) that things such as brush guards and bullbars lower clearance by like 3" ..I like the looks of a bullbar but if this is true me only having 3" of lift i dont wanna get something that will just drop me back down...anyone?

 

[STAYGOLD]

this would be a good time for logic...

yes, it will decrease your APPROACH ANGLE. how much probably depends on the bar/manufacturer (tube diameter and mounting points).

 

[DMC91187]

yea im pretttttyyyyy new to this whole 4runner offroading lifting modification stuff....this is my first vehicle ive ever done any of this to ive had other SUV's but they were & remained completly stock so everything I know pretty much came from this site so far

 

[STAYGOLD]

right, well welcome!

i was just saying that if you hang something out and under your bumper and then imagine trying to climb a steep hill, the bull bar will hit before the bumper or factory skid plate or will hit a log or rock in the trail first.. in any vehicle.

dont be afraid to ask, use toyota120.com too.

 

[DMC91187]

thanks,

gotcha yea makes sense ...approach angel...not clearance & yea ill have to give that other site a look. first ive even heard of it

 

[Dawg4Runner]

Not only will they decrease your approach angle but they can also cause additional damage to other body components in the event of a collision. You might want to consider replacing your front bumper with an aftermarket steel bumper if you want to increase your approach angle. In addition, you'll also get better collision protection, additional recovery points, and a platform to mount a winch and additional lights. Schrockworks, DeMello, PerkinsPerformance and ARB are some of the more popular brands.

2 Schrockworks and a DeMello

 

[DMC91187]

yea i love the looks of the after market bumpers but i have a 3/2 spacer lift which i dont think would support it?...and cant afford to drop the 1400$ or so on a bumper either lol my wife would kill me:ak472:

 

[galactic_04]

With the steelcraft, this much:

 

[NJshadow93]

Yeah it will decease approach angle, but can also protect your front bumper. My previous car was a 2005 RAV4 that I had a little bull bar bolted to it. I took it off roading a few times, and since the RAV4 is a light off roader, it's angles and clearance are already inferior before the bull bar. But the bull bar took the occasional hit to the ground, and even protected the front of the RAV4 in a 10 mph collison (I rear ended someone). It bent backwards and caused no damage to my car and the lady I hit had a scratch. The little $250 bull bar easily protected me from probably $800 in damage. Anything worse though, it won't protect as well, and depending on the design, it may create more damage. From what I have read on this site, Steelcraft is the way to go for our 4th gens if you want a bull bar.