Thread: Bull bar

Originally Posted by trout1105

I have driven hundreds of thousands of K's in and out of remote minesites for work usually towing a couple of tons of tools in a trailer (swerving isn't an option when towing heavey).
I have also done hundreds of thousands of K's to very remote areas for recreation.
Most of these areas are not even rural with unfenced dirt roads So hitting the odd roo or bullock is just an occupational hazard.

That doesn't make me a bad driver considering that I have never written of a vehicle or injured anyone in all that travel.

Certainly buy the bar you want But don't whinge and moan when you car is toast because you made the wrong choice.

Sorry I wasn't meaning to start a family feud. Sincere apologies if I have touched a nerve.

I hadn't heard of or even seen the Rhino bar so I was merely asking about the product, on paper (well photo) it looks good in my eyes, and yes it is a nudge bar style, but given that does it have the metal where its needed or is just a piece of metal origami.

As to whether its the right one from me thats why I am asking the question. I like the cleanness of the nudge style but my brain tells me a "full face" will offer more protection for a sensitive nose, and I am not only talking about animal strikes, Turning around on a tight track where you have to nudge (no pun intended) up to the undergrowth or squeeze threw overgrown shrubbery, knowing where your corners are, etc I am sure you have all been there,
My D1 has a full face ARB style and the "Hoops" have proven their worth from The Mitchell Plateau to Balfour, and no I'm not a clumsy driver, just find a few deadends and less travelled tracks I also live on a farm and sometimes Frontall protection gets used for some non designed uses. I must admit I think my bar has saved me more time from other vehicles, whence its been invaluable.

Interestingly when you take the original bumper of the D1 and replace it with a RooBAR there's a gaping chasm in there that seems to funnel all critters straight to the live axle and the diff.

I live out of town and up a dirt road in the bush and drive reasonably quickly, but do know where the critters lurk, have always had good lights so have managed to keep my animal strikes fairly low, Which is more than can be said for my neighbour who seems to have managed to clean up every wombat.

Thankyou all enjoy the drive and keep the shiny side up.
S.

Originally Posted by simo2420

just waiting for a wombats bum to total it.

We were staying near Wilson's Prom at Easter and it was staggering - and really quite sad - how much roadkill there was around and, incredibly, in, the Park. Particularly wombats, some with babies at foot.

Part of the problem appears to be people doing Melbourne to Tidal River as a day trip and belting through the park and environs at warp speed and there's no enforcement visible anywhere in the area.

Part of it's just stupidity - every time I turned into the lane that led to our accommodation we had wildlife throwing themselves at the car - wallabies, kangaroos, wombats, rabbits, foxes (apparently there are also deer in the area): I slowed to 40kms and didn't hit anything (bumped one kangaroo, but no damage to car or kangaroo), but just after that one of the other cars staying where we were came down the lane at warp speed - if he'd turned down the lane in front of us he'd definitely have hit something. Actually, multiple somethings, because the kangaroo I bumped was one of three in front of the car at the time.

I've had all sorts of combinations of lights and bull bars over 30 odd years and I must say I have hit my share of wildlife , funny thing though , it was always at night or approaching night.

Now I don't travel at night , but have superb lights , almost wasted......I plan now to stop before sunset , set up a camp , food , often a small fire and sleep under the stars and get up at sparrow, make a coffee , maybe some breakfast.

Its been 8yrs since I hit anything , except bird strikes , which broken 2 grilles , and 2 antennae.

I don't have a bar on this vehicle....I find it to be unnecessary now.

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

I've had all sorts of combinations of lights and bull bars over 30 odd years and I must say I have hit my share of wildlife , funny thing though , it was always at night or approaching night.

Now I don't travel at night , but have superb lights , almost wasted......I plan now to stop before sunset , set up a camp , food , often a small fire and sleep under the stars and get up at sparrow, make a coffee , maybe some breakfast.

Its been 8yrs since I hit anything , except bird strikes , which broken 2 grilles , and 2 antennae.

I don't have a bar on this vehicle....I find it to be unnecessary now.

The worst time is in the twilight of dusk and dawn usually, I too try Not to be on the road at these times as it does help in avoiding the critters

Originally Posted by Vern

According to some, if it doesn't have hoops it's not a real bar, and has no protection values what so ever.
Now my raslarr bar doesn't have hoops, it's constructed of 6mm and 3mm thick steel plate, excellent approach angle, carries a winch, does what I want it to do.
I can't say that in over 30 years of driving I've actually needed a bullbar for anything other that having a winch and spot lights.

Get a bar that is fit for your purpose and you're happy to look at!

Indeed, and I am seriously considering the Rhino bar. Got to look at one close up and it's pretty robust, and IMHO not bad looking either. Integrates well into the front of the Defender. I'm also keen to have the bar to mount a winch. I know there is discussion elsewhere about the Warn being developed specifically for the L663 but does anyone know if there are issues fitting other winches? FYI - see attached for cost, including Runva winch and fitting.


Rhino Quote.jpg

Originally Posted by one_iota

AFIK the monocoque construction of the new defender is designed like most modern vehicles to protect the occupants in the event of a collision (within reasonable parameters)...crumple zones, airbag activation etc.
The one I drive now would fail.
So the bull bar should be seen as a sacrificial item...just enough to keep you mobile after hitting a small roo at a moderate speed such that it doesn't occupy the front seats with you as a consequence of the coming together.
The other way to reduce the impact of animal strike is to avoid driving at dusk.

Yes! I have a D4, but the same principle applies. We hit a fair lump of a wallaroo last year in a very remote part of the NT. Broad daylight, no hope of missing it - it came out of a gully from behind a sign, we were only doing 90 kph.
Smashed the left headlight, both spot lights and the right hand fog light. Pushed the ECB bullbar back a bit, which cracked right mudguard flair. The airbags didn't go off and the car was not immobilised. Repaired under insurance ($1000 excess for hitting an animal) - new lights, new mudguard flair and new ECB bullbar - good as new!

Originally Posted by Barraman

Yes! I have a D4, but the same principle applies. We hit a fair lump of a wallaroo last year in a very remote part of the NT. Broad daylight, no hope of missing it - it came out of a gully from behind a sign, we were only doing 90 kph.
Smashed the left headlight, both spot lights and the right hand fog light. Pushed the ECB bullbar back a bit, which cracked right mudguard flair. The airbags didn't go off and the car was not immobilised. Repaired under insurance ($1000 excess for hitting an animal) - new lights, new mudguard flair and new ECB bullbar - good as new!

Just imagine the damage to the D4 without the bar fitted.

Thanks,
I think they have done a good job in matching the frontal style of the new Deefer.
Thats very interesting your thoughts on the product, appears to be a pricy little sucker but then I haven't priced a bull bar for a while, been lucky enough to be able to fabricate my own bars for my D1 and early defenders, an impossibility with any new vehicle now.

When I place my order I will contact Rhino and see if they can do a custom version and add a little more upper protection.

Any idea what is special about the warn model? is it just mounting? or just product endorsement.
Have I seen on on-line vids/threads that you need a bracket (depending on your deeper model) to facilitate the winch fitment.

cheers

Originally Posted by Sol

Indeed, and I am seriously considering the Rhino bar. Got to look at one close up and it's pretty robust, and IMHO not bad looking either. Integrates well into the front of the Defender. I'm also keen to have the bar to mount a winch. I know there is discussion elsewhere about the Warn being developed specifically for the L663 but does anyone know if there are issues fitting other winches? FYI - see attached for cost, including Runva winch and fitting.


Rhino Quote.jpg