Thread: D4 Bull Bar & Handling

I'm not going to try and comment on the technicalities or other reasons why you should/shouldn't change shocks...
I installed an ARB bullbar (non-winch) on my MY10 D4 in September, and have had it at Fraser Island and done plenty of road driving since...
From my experience, it has made negligible (noticeable) difference to how the vehicle handles or feels while driving...
... for what it's worth...

I have a MY11 D4 which I purchased in Sep of that year.

I think I live in Skippy's ancestral home territory so I installed a steel bull bar as soon as I could and from memory the Bull Bar has been on the vehicle since Oct 11.

Coming up to 78k on the Odo now and I really can't say I noticed any handling difference after fitting the Bull Bar. Mind you I can hardly remember it without the Bull Bar attached. You will notice a slowing of suspension movement when you raise suspension settings. The front takes a little longer to come up.

Can't say how long the shocks will last with the additional mass on the front but so far so good.

tonyci,

My response is the same as the others, the additional weight is not noticeable in the vehicles handling.

You will be surprised at the weight of the front bumper assembly that is removed and whilst the bull bar is heavier it is less of an addition than you think.

I also have a winch fitted and still no handling changes that I can notice.

The air suspension will compensate for the added weight as it relates to levelling which means you really do not need to worry about changing shocks etc.

George

Originally Posted by Ghost-Who-Walks

I'm not going to try and comment on the technicalities or other reasons why you should/shouldn't change shocks...
I installed an ARB bullbar (non-winch) on my MY10 D4 in September, and have had it at Fraser Island and done plenty of road driving since...
From my experience, it has made negligible (noticeable) difference to how the vehicle handles or feels while driving...
... for what it's worth...

Originally Posted by LGM

I have a MY11 D4 which I purchased in Sep of that year.

I think I live in Skippy's ancestral home territory so I installed a steel bull bar as soon as I could and from memory the Bull Bar has been on the vehicle since Oct 11.

Coming up to 78k on the Odo now and I really can't say I noticed any handling difference after fitting the Bull Bar. Mind you I can hardly remember it without the Bull Bar attached. You will notice a slowing of suspension movement when you raise suspension settings. The front takes a little longer to come up.

Can't say how long the shocks will last with the additional mass on the front but so far so good.

Originally Posted by DiscoWeb

tonyci,

My response is the same as the others, the additional weight is not noticeable in the vehicles handling.

You will be surprised at the weight of the front bumper assembly that is removed and whilst the bull bar is heavier it is less of an addition than you think.

I also have a winch fitted and still no handling changes that I can notice.

The air suspension will compensate for the added weight as it relates to levelling which means you really do not need to worry about changing shocks etc.

George

My experience as well, our D4 has had the bullbar, winch and dual battery setup from Nov 2011 and is coming up to 80,000ks, shocks are still great.

Baz.

I can't comment on handling changes - mine was fitted from new. BUT.... I will comment on the fact that with the ARB bullbar you can't remove the headlights or the grill without dropping the bullbar.
If you have small hands, it is just possible to change a headlight globe, but when your indicator lamp goes, it is off with the bullbar. Very convenient on the side of the road.
I asked ARB about this - they basically said "Stiff, we make the bars comply with legal requirements and don't care about anything else".
I wasn't best pleased!

I did notice the front being a little softer immediately after having the bar fitted - a little more roll on the corners. Only noticed when I picked it up and just felt the difference from before. But really it wasn't a big change and i wasn't concerned in any way.
The previous Nissan tho was a lot softer after than one went on, that I did upgrade springs and shocks. I see no need on the d4

Originally Posted by Silenceisgolden

I can't comment on handling changes - mine was fitted from new. BUT.... I will comment on the fact that with the ARB bullbar you can't remove the headlights or the grill without dropping the bullbar.
If you have small hands, it is just possible to change a headlight globe, but when your indicator lamp goes, it is off with the bullbar. Very convenient on the side of the road.
I asked ARB about this - they basically said "Stiff, we make the bars comply with legal requirements and don't care about anything else".
I wasn't best pleased!

You don't get this problem with the Opposite Lock bullbar, another option for you Tonyci

Baz.

Thanks for the comments. Baz as it goes I am thinking about the Opposite Lock bar. Never had air suspension before so I thought I would check.
Thanks again I will proceed with my order.
Cheers
Tony