Thread: Bull bar information

Originally Posted by Tombie

I can tell you the material is metallurgically different. It sounds different and behaves different.

In what way? Are we talking about the sheet or the tube?
If the OL bar comes out of Thailand its most likely Japanese steel, which pretty closely follow the American standards and are similar to Aust standards. I wouldn't expect any significant metallurgical differences.

Cheers,
Jon

Originally Posted by Tombie

1. Just FYI - the OL bars on the Prado also resonate and vibrate a lot compared to the ARB versions.

2. The OL bar meets ADRs I never said it didn't.

3. What I did say is the ARB material is better, and less prone to tearing in impacts.

4. I can tell you the material is metallurgically different. It sounds different and behaves different.

5. Anyone who can provide me a piece of OL bar I will happily have analysis done vs ARB steel material.

1. So far the only comments by the D3/4 owners that OL bars resonate has come from Jools who it would seam was unlucky enough to have his installed poorly. Maybe your work Prado's have had theirs installed poorly as well?

2. Don't remember seeing anyone say that OL bars don't meet ADR's, or anyone accusing you of saying it.

3. How can you say an ADR bar is made of better material without actual proof? Where is the proof of OL bars being more prone to tearing from an impact?

4. Again how do you know it is inferior without proof? Seriously have you based most of this arguement on the actual sound the metal a Ol bar is made of makes if you bang it compared to banging the metal of a ARB bar?

5. Finally in point five you are asking for a sample so the two brands can be directly compared, which is good if you can find someone wanting to chop up their bar for you. Both bars that are to be tested would have to be new or at least 2012 to be relevant, given even ARB may have changed their materials supplier recently.

So who is going to offer up their new Ol bar so Tombie can get it tested? I take it your going to cut up your ARB bar as a donor then Tombie?

Seriously Tombie if anyone else came on here and made a arguement like you have based on opinion and psossibly hear say you would be the first to tear them to pieces. Also you are publicly rubbishing a product that many Aulro members own or are considerng buying based on nothing more than circumstantial evidence and it would seam a clunk or a clink that the steel makes when its banged.

By the way my two bull bars are ARB products and I'm very happy with them, but in my opinion to come on here and rubbish a product and build up another like you have without proof is just plain wrong.

Whatever you wish to believe Terry.

I already have the steel spec for ARB bar work, but if anyone has bent the other bar and had it replaced I can have a remnant tested at our lab.

Having seen both brands crashed (on Prado mind you) the metal behaves differently. One is more ductile than the other.

One also gets a resonance at speed on unsealed roads and moves quite a lot (this has broken a few requiring rewelding)

Have also had many failures of the LED arrays as stated previously. However not related to tensile or ductile properties so moot in this...

Both bars can be had for the same price.

One is a knock-off of an Aussie designed product made O/S and one is the original IP manufacturer and keeps jobs in Aus.

Do I personally care which unit people fit? Not unless you're a member of my family I don't.

Will either protect from a normal strike?
Yes...

Which do I believe will hold up better? In things like heavy offset impacts?
The original.

People asked questions, I replied. Don't like the reply? Ignore it or question it - I don't mind.

If people require dissonance reduction that is not my role.

I personally researched both bars thoroughly before going with ARB as it presented to me as a better, known, product.

Just as I did vehicles when looking for a new one. LR lost on that one! However the salesman cost himself a sale and LR got the nod.
I'm happy with my choice and enjoy the vehicle immensely.
It was not my preferred choice though.

People should do their own research, listen to input from people like you and me and then make up their own minds.

Just as I think Holden's and Fords are poor quality - many love them.

In the end... Get what you want.

I won't trouble you with any further thoughts...

Originally Posted by Heavyduty

I am also looking at an ARB bar, so can anyone elaborate on where the ARB bar differs to the OL bar that causes the issues with the large tyres

Boofdtl on this forum will be able to answer this one. He tried fitting the same tyres that I had on my D4 with the OL bar, to another D4 with an ARB bar, and they wouldn't fit.

Cheers, Craig

Originally Posted by TerryO

1. So far the only comments by the D3/4 owners that OL bars resonate has come from Jools who it would seam was unlucky enough to have his installed poorly. Maybe your work Prado's have had theirs installed poorly as well?

2. Don't remember seeing anyone say that OL bars don't meet ADR's, or anyone accusing you of saying it.

3. How can you say an ADR bar is made of better material without actual proof? Where is the proof of OL bars being more prone to tearing from an impact?

4. Again how do you know it is inferior without proof? Seriously have you based most of this arguement on the actual sound the metal a Ol bar is made of makes if you bang it compared to banging the metal of a ARB bar?

5. Finally in point five you are asking for a sample so the two brands can be directly compared, which is good if you can find someone wanting to chop up their bar for you. Both bars that are to be tested would have to be new or at least 2012 to be relevant, given even ARB may have changed their materials supplier recently.

So who is going to offer up their new Ol bar so Tombie can get it tested? I take it your going to cut up your ARB bar as a donor then Tombie?

Seriously Tombie if anyone else came on here and made a arguement like you have based on opinion and psossibly hear say you would be the first to tear them to pieces. Also you are publicly rubbishing a product that many Aulro members own or are considerng buying based on nothing more than circumstantial evidence and it would seam a clunk or a clink that the steel makes when its banged.

By the way my two bull bars are ARB products and I'm very happy with them, but in my opinion to come on here and rubbish a product and build up another like you have without proof is just plain wrong.

I have never seen a Toyota bullbar not wobble or vibrate, they all wobble, regardless of the bar.

I agree with both points that are highlighted.

Baz.

Yes I have seen Toyotas mainly Hi Luxs coming towards me on corrugated roads looking like the bars were about to disintegrate they were shaking so much. I think that is the reason that OL fitted their bar to my D4 with such big gaps initially. I reckon they didn't understand that the D4 chassis is so much more stiff than allot of the Jap brands. It has to because because of the independent suspension.
That is still no excuse for fitting the bar crooked on the first 2 attempts at installing. After the 3rd attempt I gave up and had my bloke do it instead.

Reasonably happy now.

ARB bars are too heavy for Toyotas ;-)

Brett....

Originally Posted by discotwinturbo

ARB bars are too heavy for Toyotas ;-)

Brett....

I know they are to heavy for the FJ Cruiser, it needs to be modified to have a bullbar and I believe the Hilux too(previous model 2011/12)

Another reason I chose the OL Bar, was the UHF Antenna mounts, they are far left and right on the bar, as apposed to right in the middle of the driver and passenger view on the ARB Bar.

Baz.