Thread: Value of bull bars on a D3/4

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.

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

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.

Originally Posted by 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!

That is just so typical of animal strikes ;-)

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.

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

Hi Agro.
Several photos in my AULRO album: http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/du...+2.7td+d4.html

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

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