Thread: ECB big tube winch bar

Here's mine.

Originally Posted by 4xforgold

Saw one today on a D4, though I would post link as search didn't come up with a result.
http://www.ecb.com.au/vehicle.php?Make=19&Model=80&variant=920&SEARCH2.x =54&SEARCH2.y=17&SEARCH2=SEARCH

Fixed the link:
Land Rover Discovery ECB Alloy Bullbars Nudge Bars Bull Bars Series Discovery 4

Originally Posted by Graeme

Here's mine.

Out of interest Graeme, how much does the ECB weigh in comparison to a steel ARB for instance?

Aluminium is say 1/3 the weight of steel so even if they had to beef the alloy bar to increase strength I cannot see it weighing more than half that of steel. Just a guess. Nice to see an alloy winch bar or two out there.

Agreed aluminium is a lot lighter than steel but its tensile strength is a lot less so they usually have to make alloy bars a lot thicker compared to a steel one to get reasonably similar strength. That being the case sometimes the weight isn't much different.

I like the idea of an alloy bar to save weight, but it ifs not reasonably strong then it becomes mainly for show and that means it becomes an expensive nudge bar.

I've got the same bar as Graeme sitting in my shed, and I would guess that the bar itself weighs around 15-20kg, as it's quite easily picked up and moved around by hand. All the steel brackets weigh about another 10-12kg, so at a guess, I would say the whole thing weighs between 25 and 32kg. Somewhere between 1/2 and 2/3 the weight of an ARB?

Everything I remember reading over the years is the difference in weight between an alloy bar once you add on the steel bracing that comes with them and a full steel bar is not that much.

I have seen a number of seriously damaged alloy bars from hitting wild life, but few damaged steel ones.

I fitted the ECB bar because it became available when ARB still didn't know when they might start producing theirs, after having placed my order for an ARB one very early on. I don't particularly like the appearance of either bar but its there to do a job and if it gets damaged in a roo strike then perhaps I'll try something different next time. The winch will be fitted when I get around to acquiring some rope and a new fairlead in case I get too adventurous with my van attached (forever hopeful).