PUMA - Bull Bar

[SVX37]

Hi all,

Had a search of the threads on here and I have managed to gain some valuable information - again thanks to all.

At this stage I haven't put a Bull Bar on my Puma. I was going to go down the ARB path but as I have an SVX, I do not want to have to get it modified (not yet anyway) as the driving lights on high beam on the SVX will interfer with the bar.

I searched websites of Mantec, Devon = no real frontal protection
4x4 Equipe = couldn't see that they sell Bull Bars?

Rovacraft have the following pic in VIC (Bull Bar version 1 photo)
At Rovacraft NSW have this one (Bull Bar version 2 photo).

I will want to put a winch on whatever way I go. I like the look of these Rovacraft models and they look like thay will provide some frontal protection without the extra weight of the ARB version.

Has anyone ever bought one of these?

Any thoughts and ideas welcome.:)

[dmdigital]

These are along the same style as the Equipe 4x4 ones. Last time I looked the Australian site was defunct. It would appear to be back again though: Equipe 4x4 (http://www.equipe4x4.com.au/shop/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=8)

These bars do protrude forward noticeably but in reality no further than the ARB style. They can be short on mounting points for lights and aerial but on the plus side can have good built-in recovery points.

The Mantec winch bumper is also worth a look. This is what dullbird & muddymech have on their Puma with an A-bar made to fit. This bar is also a direct replacement of the bumper so won't foul anything.

What ever you do once you fit a winch put HD Land Rover springs in the front end.

[dullbird]

These are along the same style as the Equipe 4x4 ones. Last time I looked the Australian site was defunct. It would appear to be back again though: Equipe 4x4 (http://www.equipe4x4.com.au/shop/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=8)

These bars do protrude forward noticeably but in reality no further than the ARB style. They can be short on mounting points for lights and aerial but on the plus side can have good built-in recovery points.

The Mantec winch bumper is also worth a look. This is what dullbird & muddymech have on their Puma with an A-bar made to fit. This bar is also a direct replacement of the bumper so won't foul anything.


What ever you do once you fit a winch put HD Land Rover springs in the front end.

actually derek you have jogged my memory...you got the part numbers for them we need to get some new ones before we try out our new shocks

[dmdigital]

actually derek you have jogged my memory...you got the part numbers for them we need to get some new ones before we try out our new shocks
They are:
NRC9448, ID: blue/red, front driver's side
NRC9449, ID: yellow/white, front passenger side

The ones that come out aren't handed and are identical to the passenger side front on previous Defender's.

This is a good site to bookmark: land rover spring specifications (http://www.members.shaw.ca/jbarge/springinfo.html)

What shocks did you end up getting?

[MADDOG]

Have you had a look at the dolium bullbar?

they have 2 types. they are selling off the bolt on to the bumper type with winch capability for $500, have fitted one to mine can send you some pics if you like.

[Gav110]

Has anyone fitted either the OL or ARB full bar with the integrated side steps and side bars? If so pls post pictures.

I like the all round protection offered, and the side steps look meaty and mounted high.

[SVX37]

Have you had a look at the dolium bullbar?

they have 2 types. they are selling off the bolt on to the bumper type with winch capability for $500, have fitted one to mine can send you some pics if you like.


I had a look on the website to see what you had suggested. If you get a chance to post a pic I would be greatful. Once I get back from interstate, I am going in to Rovacraft for a look as they look like the Equipe 4x4 style Derek informed me about.

Once I know which way to go (or even the custom route), I then have to decide on which winch! :o

I have no idea on winches so that will come down to what fits on what bar I get. Never owned a winch before, I like the warn brand, want plasma rope, but ouch on the cost vs the usage occasion!!!!!!!!

I think that will make for an interesting post so I'll save it for a new post soon. Did a quick search on winches under Defenders section but didn't find much there yet...

[dmdigital]

Best value in the Warn range is the XD9000 but the better winch is the Warn 9.5 XDC as it has a better solid state solenoid and a thermal cut out.

As for synthetic rope, buy from the USA, its about half the price including shipping. OKoffroad.com (http://www.okoffroad.com) are good to deal with. Make sure you buy an aluminium hawse fairlead to use with it.

[DFNDR90]

Has anyone ever bought one of these?

Hi SVX37,

Sure have! I have had one on my 2004 90 for a few months, loving it so far. I like the look of the ARB bars, but they stick out WAY too far for my liking, they also appear to mount too high on some defenders..

See photo below. The only section that sticks out is the centre winch part, which is only an extra 100mm or so, but it makes the bar look better in my opinion as it adds a bit of shape to the front.



https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/1123.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/1124.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/1125.jpg

[Gav110]

DFNDR90 now you've got me thinking - I like the look of that. Where did you get yours? Cost? Did the sump/steering guard come with? If not how much and where?

I found this model at Landrover Tuning - looks similar:
Landrover Tuning :: Tubular Winch Bumper A-bar Defender (with Air/con) SHADOW with tested Stainless Steel Swivel Recovery Eyes and tested Bow Shackles in Black or Silver also for warn high mount - Protection Defender - << Defender >> - Default Store (http://www.landrovertuning.com.au/shop/default/defender/protection/tubular-winch-bumper-a-bar.html)

Only issue is fitting spots - but am now thinking possibly roof rack mount as per the separate post in this forum.

[Rugrat]

Like Dfndr90 I have one on my Puma - from Rovercraft in Vic.
Also have a 9000lb Ironman mounted and as the lights have Lightforce 170's (inverted) from the light mounts on the bar. My steering guard has a nice bow in if from some sand driving.

Project Fender (http://www.daleyevents.com/documents/50.html)

Have replace the Roolights with the HID's and corrected the winch angle.

[Gav110]

Like Dfndr90 I have one on my Puma - from Rovercraft in Vic.
Also have a 9000lb Ironman mounted and as the lights have Lightforce 170's (inverted) from the light mounts on the bar. My steering guard has a nice bow in if from some sand driving.

Project Fender (http://www.daleyevents.com/documents/50.html)

Have replace the Roolights with the HID's and corrected the winch angle.

Rugrat, thanks for the info. Out of interest, were there any other options with the mounting of the number plate - or any changes since?

[Gav110]

Has anyone fitted either the OL or ARB full bar with the integrated side steps and side bars? If so pls post pictures.

I like the all round protection offered, and the side steps look meaty and mounted high.

Further update on this (bars available with integrated side steps & side bars):

ARB and OL do NOT make them. OL are reselling the Dolium gear; and ARB only have their own winch and non-winch bar with no step options for Defender (their Artarmon store admitted that had ARB tooled up properly for Defender in 1980 they'd have sold thousands with virtually no re-tooling! But I digress...).

TJM do make both the bar, the steps (3/4 length) and the integrated side bars (see TJM 4WD Australia, Seriously 4WD, Seriously SUV, Seriously Trade (http://www.tjm.com.au/Default.aspx?PageContentID=19&tabid=77)). It's not clear if it supports Puma, but I doubt there'd be any issues bar SVX possibly.

From the catalogue:

TJM 3⁄4 Steel Side Bars are manufactured from 50mm steel tube and designed to offer protection to vehicle body panels, wheel arches, flares, and sills. The 3⁄4 Side Bars mount directly to the chassis with TJM’s unique mounting system and neatly bolt to the Type 13 Frontal Protection Bar with TJM Side Bar Clamps.
TYPE 13
3⁄4 side bars & steps
• Sand blasted & zinc treated • Unique mounting system • Powdercoated black
• 50mm steel tube • Colour coding optional • Heavy duty checkerplate step

I quite like the high mounting point of the steps, width and strong tubular bars (stronger and higher than the lower LR originals).Any thoughts from the group? Anyone running this TJM set?

I will advise once I have confirmed pricing/avail.

[Rugrat]

Rugrat, thanks for the info. Out of interest, were there any other options with the mounting of the number plate - or any changes since?
Originally the number plate went over the winch fairlead area - but i never got around to manufacturing a 'flip up' plate once i installed the winch.

[Gav110]

Originally the number plate went over the winch fairlead area - but i never got around to manufacturing a 'flip up' plate once i installed the winch.

I'll be doing mine in June - will probably have Opposite Lock fit it and fabricate a mounting point (am not as handy as you :p). Will provide photos at that time...