Thread: Puma Bullbars... which one!

One thing to consider with the ARB deluxe bar is the wing tips. If you ever plan to fit flat dog flares or any other brand of extended flare the bull bar and flare want to occupy the same space. The Pic of the D90 is a good illustration that the bar wraps around neat to the factory flare. Aftermarket flares sit forward on the panel compared to the factory flare.

Otherwise the design offers better protection for your quarter panels than the TJM, old ARB and the OL versions (on that leading edge of the panel).

On the older ARB winch bar and the TJM bar you can fit the winch without removal of the bar itself. Someone with a deluxe bar might be able to confirm. It helps to have a helping hand to insert the bolts through the mounting holes to get the bolt started. Holding a 30kg winch with one hand and a knee while reaching around the front to blindly insert the bolt is a PITA.

Fitting the bar is easy. A second pair of hands help locating the bar while inserting the bolts but i've removed and refitted mine twice solo. lots of moans and groans but do-able.

MLD

Backing up what MLD said:
My extended flares required art and craft classes (tracing and cutting) but I still wouldnt change having flares or the ARB bar. And having removed and refitted two ARB Defender deluxe bars numerous times - the fact it "needs" removing to fit a winch shouldn't worry you.

My three disappointments with the bar are: not enough tabs for aeriels/lights (only comes with two in the centre and two above that on the top rail - would have liked one on each side out near the ends), the tabs fitted aren't slotted (makes aforementioned removal of bar easier if you have aeriels mounted on it), and on mine and dads the powdercoat could've been slightly better.

Originally Posted by MLD

before you hand over the folding stuff on the Opp Lock bar best see one in the flesh. They tilt away from the grill. You will like it or not.

Personally I think the ARB Deluxe looks the goods and they use a thicker gauge sheet steel than the TJM and ARB winch bar of old (i've had both TJM and ARB older style).

MLD

I had the Outback Accessories/Opposite Lock bar fitted to my car the other week. It does lean forward of the bumper bar, which I didn't think was compatible with the ADR, but apparently it's ADR approved...

One thing I do like about this arrangement is that the bumper bar sits close to the body at the bottom so as to have minimal impact on approach angle, but the uprights and upper tube are further from the grille and wings, leaving a little breathing space if you happen to clean up a robust marsupial.

I reckon the quality of the bar could be a bit better if I'm honest; it could use thicker powder coat and a few more welds in the uprights and I'm also not convinced that the upper tube is completely parallel with the bumper bar from overhead on mine, but not so much as you'd notice.

I had my reasons for not opting for ARB, TJM or Land Rover OE, but if I had to do it over again, I'd probably choose something different. Everything is a compromise in some way though.

Originally Posted by DrytheRain

I had the Outback Accessories/Opposite Lock bar fitted to my car the other week. It does lean forward of the bumper bar, which I didn't think was compatible with the ADR, but apparently it's ADR approved...

One thing I do like about this arrangement is that the bumper bar sits close to the body at the bottom so as to have minimal impact on approach angle, but the uprights and upper tube are further from the grille and wings, leaving a little breathing space if you happen to clean up a robust marsupial.

I reckon the quality of the bar could be a bit better if I'm honest; it could use thicker powder coat and a few more welds in the uprights and I'm also not convinced that the upper tube is completely parallel with the bumper bar from overhead on mine, but not so much as you'd notice.

I had my reasons for not opting for ARB, TJM or Land Rover OE, but if I had to do it over again, I'd probably choose something different. Everything is a compromise in some way though.

Can you post some pics? Please

Whatever bar you get, I'd suggest the following....

1) One which protects the whole front of the vehicle. The tail of a big roo can flick like a whip and do damage, so maximising frontal protection is something I consider to be important.

2) The next thing is material. LR used to offer composite bars. Well again - plastic bull bars are for plastic bulls. Personally, even alloy bars don't cut it and I wouldn't have anything but steel.

I have the ARB winch bar on mine which fits my criteria, but there are others too.

Originally Posted by loneranger

Can you post some pics? Please

Ask and ye shall receive.

I made another discovery tonight. While the manufacturer's website lists it as a 'commercial winch bar', there appears to be no provision for a winch. I had a look behind the licence plate and there are no openings, embossed or engraved shapes than can be cut out, nothing. Not happy Jan.

Originally Posted by DrytheRain

Ask and ye shall receive.

I made another discovery tonight. While the manufacturer's website lists it as a 'commercial winch bar', there appears to be no provision for a winch. I had a look behind the licence plate and there are no openings, embossed or engraved shapes than can be cut out, nothing. Not happy Jan.

Thanks. I want one with option for a winch so I'll go see them but if they don't have that option it will be off the list.

Not sure I like the look anyway.

I've been fitting the ARB commercial bar to Puma defenders for a while now, the early type that is compatible with the extended A/C grille of the county and defender post 2001 with A/C. Way better than the later ARB offering that is a nightmare to get at the headlamp surrounds and grille, and is in my opinion too close to the front panels to prevent any damage by animal strike.

Deluxe winch bar | Products | ARB 4x4 Accessories

If it is a tube type bar however you are after, Murrays (Rijidij) offering is a beauty, looks great on Emmas 90 Tombie!

JC