Disc 4 bullbar

[saljosax]

Heading off into the Simpson again, this time considering a bullbar. ARB and Opposite Lock both supply and fit for a Disco 4. Any opinions which is better? Or what the difference is?
Thanks!

[tonyci]

I went for an ARB bar and warn winch.I have an MY13 and lost the use of my front parking sensors, not a big deal for me.
When I looked it was more a case of who could do the best install, as its quite a big job and requires the front fenders to be cut.
At the time there was a few people unhappy with the install rather then the bar.
I am very happy with my ARB bar.
Cheers
Tony

[Tombie]

The *new* ARB bar is far better - including air flow. (All important)...

[GregMilner]

This is an OL one that I'm thinking of getting at some stage. Graham Collins just got this put at OL in the NT I think. It's hard to tell the difference between the OL bar and the ARB version to be honest, at least with my untrained eyes.
He says the weight does change the dynamics of the car though.
To my mind, having that extra weight up front might help at least a little bit in balancing the extra weight in the back from the LR tank and spare wheel hanging off the rear bumper. Not sure how much net weight it adds, but I'd guess about 45kg.

120571

[mr_squiggle]

The *new* ARB bar is far better - including air flow. (All important)...

Better in what ways, other than the airflow you've mentioned?

[Tombie]

Better Steel (Aussie not tinny Chinese)
Better airflow design to Radiator and Intercooler.

LandyAndy has the OL one and had some issues with heat....

[RickO]

Hi All,

I've got the OL bar on my MY14 and haven't had any issues with overheating even when towing a 2.2t caravan in summer.

My previous D2 and D3 both had ARB bars and I would have probably gone the same if ARB hadn't' kept talking bs about when their bar would be available back when.

Very happy with the OL bar and fitting - great job by OL Dandenong

cheers,
Rick

[carlschmid2002]

IMO the ARB one just looks so much better. I got mine fitted at Kilsyth and I have all sensors working and cameras.

[Mungus]

I went ARB Summit Bar. Very happy with the quality and finish. Difference's ARB has larger tube and larger edge radius on the Summit Bars, quality steel and welds, Straight vertical bars, angled fit to fender flares which can give an optical illusion of not aligned at certain viewing angles, (I actually like the old straight horizontal fit to flares better), easy access to winch clutch handle and IMO not as squared off at the front (corners), winch fairlead/hawse is behind pivoting number plate, despite what ARB tell you - OEM fog lights don't fit and you can re-use existing harness. Both look good though I reckon. Unsure about OL but with ARB, OEM park sensors refit & work, no allowance for cameras with ARB, but I can and will fit these myself one day (currently tucked up behind bar). I fitted mine myself and all up with Runva 11XP winch and taking into account the bits you remove the ARB adds 90kgs. Yes you can feel the difference, but after a while you forget and get used to the feel as normal.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/03/370.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/03/371.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/03/372.jpg

[saljosax]

Thank you so much for all your suggestions and photos. I'm actually wondering if I really need to get a bullbar. Our car is less than a year old, seems a bit scary cutting bits off and drilling new bits in that might effect some of the features (sensors etc) Plus 50 weeks of the year I drive in the city, 2 weeks outback camping with a few families. My main reason for getting a bullbar is in case we hit a roo. We don't plan driving at night but may do a little at dawn and dusk but I will probably drive just as slowly and cautiously with a bullbar as I did last year without. I guess if I do hit one, I've a better chance of staying on the trip? (although one comment I read said their bullbar caved and did more damage to the car). The other benefit is mounting for sand flag and antennae, so if I don't get a bullbar where do I put those? Sorry to rave on but I'm new to this and feel very confused. Would you get a bullbar or manage without?

[cjc_td5]

Thank you so much for all your suggestions and photos. I'm actually wondering if I really need to get a bullbar. Our car is less than a year old, seems a bit scary cutting bits off and drilling new bits in that might effect some of the features (sensors etc) Plus 50 weeks of the year I drive in the city, 2 weeks outback camping with a few families. My main reason for getting a bullbar is in case we hit a roo. We don't plan driving at night but may do a little at dawn and dusk but I will probably drive just as slowly and cautiously with a bullbar as I did last year without. I guess if I do hit one, I've a better chance of staying on the trip? (although one comment I read said their bullbar caved and did more damage to the car). The other benefit is mounting for sand flag and antennae, so if I don't get a bullbar where do I put those? Sorry to rave on but I'm new to this and feel very confused. Would you get a bullbar or manage without?
A bullbar can add weight and cause complications. It is easy to say you won't need one, until you hit something..... I have lived in regional OZ all my life and never hit anything big enough to disable me...

Do you have roof rails? Aerials and flags can be mounted up there if required.

[DiscoJeffster]

I just bought this. At first I thought it was a touch overpriced however after receiving it I am very happy. It's laser cut, fitted with protective plastic, precision made.

Aerial Bracket (http://www.labtronx.com.au/aerial-bracket.htm)

This Is what I'm mounting my UHF antenna to, but you could just as easily mount a sand flag and fit the UHF to the roof.

[carlschmid2002]

Kilsyth ARB fitted cameras and sensors. All good.

[Tombie]

I went 20 years and only hit a feral cat and a fox...

Then in the last 10 years my Roo count is about 60+

[Tombie]

I just bought this. At first I thought it was a touch overpriced however after receiving it I am very happy. It's laser cut, fitted with protective plastic, precision made.

Aerial Bracket (http://www.labtronx.com.au/aerial-bracket.htm)

This Is what I'm mounting my UHF antenna to, but you could just as easily mount a sand flag and fit the UHF to the roof.

Wouldn't hold a Sand Flag. Would bend like putty and damage the vehicle..

[ATH]

My thought exactly. I don't like the thought of damage to the bonnet if you have the aerial caught up in bushes and being dragged backwards so I put a short aerial on the roof using the first plug on the channel strip.
Had a bit of bent galvanised metal for a bracket and ran the lead down the A pillar cover. All good and working well. Now I have to think seriously about a bulbar but after talking to a farmer in SA with an aging 130 with many dents down the sides.... all from roos hitting him rather than the other way around, I may not bother.
Speed plays it's part as well, keep it down to around 80 kays and the damage will be less if you do hit something.
AlanH.

[Tombie]

Yes they do that too... stupid creatures..
I'd still have the front protected.. even 80km/h (why you'd want to drive a highway at that pace[emoji15]) the front end is susceptible to show stopping damage.

Most hits are below 110 anyway - usually there's a chance to brake before the hit!

[DiscoJeffster]

I don't deny it's a concern. I hope the spring base is enough flex for it to not do damage. It mounts to the hinge which is solid steel so it's pretty secure, but I'll let you know my opinion tomorrow when I mount up the antenna and have a play

[Mungus]

Kilsyth ARB fitted cameras and sensors. All good.

Were those cameras fitted to the new Summit Bar? At the time of my purchase their was no allowance for them and the local mob made a specific note on the quote if fitted by customer would void warranty. haha

[LandyAndy]

Hi All,

I've got the OL bar on my MY14 and haven't had any issues with overheating even when towing a 2.2t caravan in summer.

My previous D2 and D3 both had ARB bars and I would have probably gone the same if ARB hadn't' kept talking bs about when their bar would be available back when.

Very happy with the OL bar and fitting - great job by OL Dandenong

cheers,
Rick

More than happy with my OL bar.At least the OL people were honest.Not like ARB and take a deposit saying 1 month for a D4 bar.I got the deposit back,they didn't produce a bar for over 18 months[bigsad][bigsad][bigsad][bigsad]
My overheating issue,48degC Perth day,no wind and caught in a traffic jam towing my 2 tonne camper trailer,plus the D4 was packed for a fortnite away.Engel running flat out aircon flat out.Simply put it in neutral at the lights and 1500rpm,light went out straight away.Never came back,despite later showing 50degC.Was able to sit on 90kmh to 100kmh then.
Andrew

[Tombie]

Still happened Andy [emoji12] and the OL bar has notably less airflow capability..

[ATH]

Yes they do that too... stupid creatures..
I'd still have the front protected.. even 80km/h (why you'd want to drive a highway at that pace[emoji15])

That was the advice given by locals for night driving when I worked up in the Broome/Derby/Fitzroy region. Just driving from Fitz to our camp 80 odd kays further east and the cattle, roos and other beasts were everywhere.
One bloke was killed when the vehicle he was a passenger in collided with a cow, overturned and something got between his head and the roof and crushed his skull. Driver got a light penalty for careless driving (I think...long time ago) as they couldn't prove anything else.
Personally I'm like many others and like to be camped up well before evening, but if I'm not the speed is kept well down. Good lights up front help but sometimes those big beasts can appear from nowhere and move fast.....BANG!
AlanH.

[Tombie]

I've hit a Cow - Thankfully at very low speed (full ABS lock from 120) - crap went everywhere - literally.

The cow wasn't killed as speed was down to 20-25km/h at impact.. it walked off, leaving the bonnet covered in a smelly reminder.

[carlschmid2002]

Were those cameras fitted to the new Summit Bar? At the time of my purchase their was no allowance for them and the local mob made a specific note on the quote if fitted by customer would void warranty. haha
I don't think this is a summit bar. Just standard Winch bar.