Value of bull bars on a D3/4

[Ashes]

Interested in seeing how much money a bull bar has possibly saved owners out there on their D3 or D4 as I'm looking to put one on my D3. Any cases to report?

Given that a bar install is between $2k to $3k it is a reasonable cost outlay but replacing a front bumper and light assembly will most likely cost more.

Any cases where the bar install has made a significant safety difference as well?

[Tote]

Depends on how often you hit roos.... I had an ARB Bar on my D1, the last time I had a serious animal strike, 100KM/H impact with a 5ft roo, no damage apart from a broken driving light and I had to re tighten the bar. I have no reason to think my D3 bar is any less effective. I havent hit any roos in the last 5 years so you could say the bar on my D2 was a waste of money.
The biggest benefit of a solid bar is the ability to still drive the vehicle after a serious strike. I used to drive Falcon vans around western NSW for a Govt department. The bars were only alloy and a throwaway after a good hit but I always made it home afterwards. Sitting on the side of the road 200KM from the nearest tow truck isnt much fun....

Regards,
Tote

[Graeme]

I hit a roo in my D2 - no b/bar. I was doing 100 kph in northern Vic when it jumped from behind a tree right on the edge of the road then came directly towards me. I hit it just off centre whilst standing on the brakes and down to around 40 kph. The D2 was still driveable but not by much and subsequently off the road for some time being repaired. My D4 bar cost $1600 and I fitted it myself - great insurance!

[gps-au]

Well I hit a holden barina and came away without a scratch (just her broken glass).

Hit a wallaby between townsville & charters towers, until yesterday still had some blood on the front ,but no other damage.

Had to push a Tojo 200 out of the way just out of Tully, left a big dent in his rear, nothing on me (shame I didn't hit the wallaby first, it could have been washed off !!). BTW, petrol tojo got a wet ignition in 300mm of water across road. He ask for a pull, but as I had the trailer conected, he only got a push !!

[DiscoWeb]

Ashes,

On a recent trip I did with some members of this forum, one member dodged a roo and hit a reasonably substantial gum tree on the side of a steep track (no one else saw the roo as he was tail end Charlie so no one really saw the incident but it make the story better for all involved).

He hit it hard enough to have the front and passenger airbags deploy, bar pushed back into the bonnet a bit and part of the tree feel on the roof. But after a bit of mucking about he was able to complete the trip and drive the 2hrs back to Sydney with nothing more than damaged pride and an interior that smelled a bit like gunpowder.

Without the bar there is no way he was going to be driving out of there. In my opinion the bar saved many thousands, possibly tens of thousands of $ of damage and cost as well as the need the to drag a damaged truck out of the bush etc.

Whilst I do not have a bar it is on the list of desired accessories and if I was planning some long distance touring it would be on the top of my list.

Regards,

George

P.S. The names involved in the above incident have been withheld for fear of reputation risk, theirs, not mine !.

[jonesy63]

One other factor - is when you drive. IMHO, you're more likely to get a strike if you drive at night, dawn or dusk.

[rmp]

I think a bar also adds to resale value.

Also, I believe that owners with bars are less likely to swerve to avoid animals as they know that they'll win the argument, it's a pyschological thing. I know I've felt that way when staring down a roo at 100km/h. Mind you last time I hit a roo I had a nanosecond's notice as it leaped out of the bush and then into heaven. The 200 I was driving at the time was undamaged...thanks to its bullbar. Just needed a wipe.

I reckon I actually hit a roo once every 2 years, but then it's a few in a row. Plenty of close calls in between times, last one was in a place I've never seen one before so very unexpected.

Took out an emu once. Lots of feathers.

Bars are also great for sand flags, winches and driving lights.

[dromader driver]

having driven the relo's falcon down the putty road last tuesday night I wasn't game to go over 80km hour in the open areas. no roo bar and lots of wallabys and other wildlife.

not very comfortable. :o

[AGRO]

Hi All,

I wonder whether or not there is a Disco 4 driver with an ARB Steel bar fitted here in Perth.

I would very much like to look over the install and see the thing in the real world rather than glossy snaps.

Pls PM me if there is any one willing for me to look at their bar.

Thanks

[wyperfield]

I have hit a roo at 100 klms with a Aluminium TJM bullbar which suffered only minor damage.
Now on my D3 i have a steel ARB bar, since I wanted to fit a winch.
So my recomendation is to go Aluminium for the lighter weight and cost if you don't want a wicnh and steel if you do.

[buz01]

I was informed at the 4x4 show in Brisbane last weekend that the ARB bar will not fit the D4 HSE. can anybody advise otherwise?

What bars are available for the D4 HSE?

The ECB bar is alloy and they make a winch bar to suit the D4 HSE, is it strong enough to use as a winch bar?

[Disco4SE]

I went for the OL steel bar for the strength and also the look.
All alloy bars I have seen so far are bloody ugly and bulky in comparison.
Cheers, Craig

[Tombie]

I never hit a Roo for 20 years of driving.

Last 6 years I've averaged 20+ strikes a year :(

I wouldn't be without bar work... Ever!

[Jamo]

I hit a 6ft+ roo with the ARB bar on my D3 at 110kph. It bent the top rail and I got a new bar under insurance. Without the bar the car would have probably been undriveable.

[ADMIRAL]

I was informed at the 4x4 show in Brisbane last weekend that the ARB bar will not fit the D4 HSE. can anybody advise otherwise?

What bars are available for the D4 HSE?

The ECB bar is alloy and they make a winch bar to suit the D4 HSE, is it strong enough to use as a winch bar?
ECB use a steel cage within the alloy bar to hold the winch. I doubt there is any issue with strength.

[bigcarle]

i have been driving for 33 years and only hit my 1st roo/wallaby a couple of months ago. i have an ARB steel bar on my D1, no damage it was in a spot i have seen roos there before but this was around 11pm and not expecting it same as RMP, 2 steps the last one into oblivion at 80km.
i have been out at Leyburn on the Darling Downs which is thick with roos would not go with out one

[discovery39]

I have a D1 with ARB Sahara bar.
Hit a Maxima when they cut out in front of me in the wet.
Slid straight into the back corner of it.
Completely destroyed the Maxima! They had a serious case of negative camber on their rear wheel..........(amongst other issues!)
I drove away with a broken indicator. Plus some deep scratches on by bar.
Got home tightened the bar, spent $30 on a new/used indicator. All good.
Have also hit a roo.
No damage to the Disco! Except the smell..........!

[Ashes]

Would like to hear about the damage caused when a bullbar wasn't fitted (which might have been prevented).

eg. animal strike, off road, on road

[Dingmark Jim]

On my previous D3 V8, a Hilux managed to run into the front of me (I'd just slid to a stop when he hit). His bullbar hit me at about 20km/hr. I don't know what the total repair bill was, as his insurer paid, but just parts alone was over $16k. I ended up getting a bullbar+winch for free as it cost his insurer less less than the OEM bumper assembly:D.

Alas, I don't have a bullbar on my D4 as I installed the winch before there were bullbars available - just a hidden winch mount instead. May be that after hitting a roo I get one installed by my insurer, but until then the D4 has a naked chin.

[ozscott]

Hit a reasonable sized grey a few months ago at about 60kph with the TJM winch bar on the D2 and it just went under the bar and front wheel and that was that. No damage at all. They are a great investment - pushing down small shrubs and small saplings can be handy too when having to turn around somewhere on a track without damage to bonnet and paint on front bumper.

Cheers

[bigcarle]

i have an ARB steel bar on my D1
my bad, i was looking at the disco yesterday and realized its a TJM bull bar, its the tow-bar that is an ARB

[stallie]

5 in one night between Timber Creek and Katherine (300 odd kms). After the first I drove the rest of the way at about 70kmh, often slower, but still could not avoid them. Long grass beside the road (wet season) meant they were jumping out straight into my lights (FJ40).

They weren't Big Reds, but would still have caused some rad damage at least.

I've actually ended up being forced to camp between Sandstone and Meeka one night as the roos were so thick we were driving at less than 50kmh and still hitting them! There's still a dint in the HJ60's door when its tail whipped around.

I'm about to fit the ARB bar to the D2a.

[aew849]

Have regrettably belted quite a few roos over the years, as well as bunnies and one eagle who should have dodged to the left from the rotting carcass with the crows. Only issue has been a bent and smelly licence plate!!

And shamefully, one innocent gun tree that 'I had to swerve several times before I hit it'!!! Actually was spat off a sandy road into the scrub. Hit fair square in winch fairlead. Bent the bar back 6 inches, split the winch and also put the gum tree on the ground. Fortunately no airbags in Deefers. If it wasn't for the bar, probably would have lost radiator/intercoolers, front end of motor, proably all the mounts, and a 40km walk home.

Even with the roo strikes, everytime it does its job, it pays for itself. In my case at least half a dozen front end rebuilds.

aew849

[Ashes]

Hoping to get a OL steel winch bar fitted as part of an insurance claim as I need to replace the front bumper cover and cross bar which comes off anyway I believe when the OL bar goes on. Given the bumper cover and cross bar is about $1k hoping the insurer will allow me that credit towards a winch bar and I'll pay the difference.

[rmp]

I never hit a Roo for 20 years of driving.

Last 6 years I've averaged 20+ strikes a year :(

I wouldn't be without bar work... Ever!

That is just so typical of animal strikes ;-)

[Duck's Guts]

Similar to what RMP said. With a bar on you train yourself not to swerve and place yourself and others at risk of rollovers, head-ons or collisions with trees.

And again, I have a similar history to others...

Currently have a D4 with ARB bar. Almost a fortnight ago (Wed 6/4/11), hit a 4 or 5' eastern grey on the Golden Highway south of Jerrys Plains. It was an hour after dusk, oncoming traffic so highbeams dipped. And the roo came from the right out of the oncoming headlight glare. Hit the anchors, the roo changed direction in my lane, hit him between centre & right corner at 60 to 70km/hr, the roo was throwen into the oncoming traffic lane & the next two cars completed the job.
Now I wasn't concerned about the damage the roo did, but worried about the load of firewood on the roof rack...I was waiting for that to overtake me and land on the bonnet! Fortunately that didn't occur.
Also, no damage to the front-end or bar, just some scuffed paintwork on the bar. The bar just paid for itself!

Also once hit a roo in a Prado 90 series with factory alloy bar, at 120k's, bar damaged cosmetically, bent guard, door skin from roo tail flicking up, but the vehicle driveable & reasonably presentable.

IMO, if you regularly travel at dusk or dawn in kanga country, a bar is nearly mandatory.

[AGRO]

Hi Ducks Guts,

Thanks for your experiences with the ARB bull bar.

I wish to purchase and have fitted an ARB steel bar to my Disco4.

I'm wondering if you are willing to post a few pictures of your ARB bar(front, both sides etc).

You may have done so already within this forum if so could you point me in the right direction.

Thanks

[Duck's Guts]

Hi Agro.
Several photos in my AULRO album: http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/duck%27s+guts-albums-duck%27s+guts+2.7td+d4.html

[gps-au]

Parked at BirkenHead shopping Centre today, came back to car and found glass all over the front of the vehicle, bar etc...

Now I wonder who it was who drove off with a smashed rear window ?

No note left, but then no damage either :D

Oh yes, some red paint left, which rubbed off very easily.

[CaverD3]

Yes it was me that the tree attacked. :angel:

I just got one of those 'Round Tuit' things so thought I would post.

The Damage:

Front end: Bull Bar, Bonet and Guard.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/228.jpg




Roof where tree landed.(also RHS D pillar)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/229.jpg





Aibags and windsreen which is only because the passenger airbag broke it.:mad:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/230.jpg




The offending tree: jumped out from the right. :angel: Broke off at base. :o

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/231.jpg






Drove perfectly after a hard reset. :D


Forty two days at Scientific Panel Works. (Land Rover Recommended repairer :mad:)

Now back for them to re-do. :mad:

They did not even replace the impact aborbing brackets (one was cracked the other bent.

List of items:

Defects in repair to AXJ 49Y Land Rover Discovery 3

Exterior:
Paintwork/panel:

Rear door:
Overspray and paint over sealant.

RHS D Pillar:
Holes in base, sanding marks and paint drip.

RHS Wheel Arch:
Paint/clear coat run.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/232.jpg

RHS C Pillar:
Paint finish splatter/wavy.

FRS guard:
Spot-weld on front and sanding marks. (new?)

Grill:
Damage not repaired.

Bonnet:
Not repaired properly. Drips and pinholes and next to A pillars not repaired.

LHS D pillar:
Repair exposed due to fitment of different roof rails.

Roof:
Repair to FRH corner of roof not finished prior to painting.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/233.jpg

Edge of roof gully paintwork damaged when trim removed.

Trim:
RHS wheel Arch:
Wheel arch trim missing.

RHS Door openings:
Door seal not straight not fixed and too long.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/232.jpg

Exterior A pillar trims not replaced.

Intake vent damaged when removed from guard.

Wheel arch lining damaged (not replaced)

Bull bar:
Not fitted correctly, impact absorbers not replaced (one cracked both bent at top), valve block bracket not replaced. Guard linings not fixed to bar, sheared bolt to front guard not removed and replaced, missing bolt to body protection plate.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/234.jpg

Roof rails:
Different from those fitted. Hole in RH trim exposing bolt hole (part for extended rails?)
RH bar loose.
Previous repair exposed.

Fit Rhino racks as per original?

Interior:
Interior LHS A pillar trim burnt by airbag. Not replaced.


Do I recommend you should use them?:eek: No! :mad:

Would I recommend a bull bar? Yesssss! :D

[rmp]

In the interests of balance, anyone recommend against a bar? Serious question, no flaming of said advocate will be permitted.

[CaverD3]

It's cheaper. :D :tease:

[rmp]

It's cheaper. :D :tease:

Initially

[reubsrover]

Cheaper? I wouldn't want to be paying the damage after hitting a roo and then a sheep within five minutes of each other. No damage done to the folks Falcon thanks to a decent bar though.


IMO, if you regularly travel at dusk or dawn in kanga country, a bar is nearly mandatory.

And IMO no bar means a greater chance the roo will end up being picked up and going over the top of you which has happened to neighbours a couple of times, less chance of course in a 4wd but even less with a bar on front.

[dominicbeirne]

In June 2010 the family and I did the run from Sydney to Longreach overnighting in Roma. Almost had a roo in the front between wife and I at Augathella but it's tail hit the UHF aerial instead - thank god.

I would like a bar on the front for my travels both now and in the future, and one day I will get one. In the meantimeIi will have to drive defensively.

On a side note I did the return run, two days after heading up, from Longreach to Sydney in 17 hours with wife and kids going by QANTAS. Was home in Darlinghurst unpacked and in bed by midnight after leaving the Hall of Fame at 6:30 AM. Love my D3.

Back on topic though, if the vast majority of driving is tar based within city and surrounds and little or no danger of livestock, feral animals or native fauna then I reckon don't worry.

For large numbers of 4WD owners a bar is a danger to the rest of us, IMHO, and unless you deem it necessary for your usage there is no need for it.

Obviously I am no help on the matter as I am arguing both sides in the one post. I think it can be best summed up as - what is going to be best for you, in your opinion?

Cheers

Dom

[CaverD3]

Initially

That is what I meant.

If I had not got the bar on I recon I would have been stuffed with an expensive recovery from the State Forest. As it was able to carry on with the trip with no problems. I recon the air bags really didn't need to go off though.
However I now afer experiecing a crash I feel safer than ever in the D3, especially with a Bull bar.

[gps-au]

In the interests of balance, anyone recommend against a bar? Serious question.

Sure, If your married to power merchant, a bb might give a false inflated sense of over security.(when they are actually in the drivers seat). :angel:

[Graeme]

In the interests of balance, anyone recommend against a bar? Serious question, no flaming of said advocate will be permitted.
I noticed immediately after fitment that the front of the vehicle felt heavier and bounced more, but the benefits for me far outweight the extra weight. Besides, I need somewhere to mount my winch when I think it could be useful.