Bull bars...

depends if your just wanting a bar for protection consider a smart bar made from pvc plastic had one on the Nissan 2.8 tdi 1998 ranked as safest bar for humans as bar due to its material and yes they are as good as steel or alum bar for protection and same price bracket.

if your mounting a winch then bar should be steel

bar design and shape should not reduce your entry and departure angle so stay away from those huge cattle scoop bars

but if your city dweller and travel in convoy for your 4wd and someone got a tirfor or snatchum strap why bother having a bar at all, save money and weight and put in a difflock if you want off road capability or get better quality tyres.

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Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

for pushing a button on a rover and making it go for a somewhat distressed bloke who was where he probaley shouldnt have been after some roadworks on base I have earnt myself a free bar from a rangie...

IT looks uncannily similar to my ex discos bull bar...

If anyone knows difinitavely if said bar will fit or has the ability to measure up the mount points on the 2 types of vehicle its yours for the asking.

I was going to cut it up and remake a milbar for kermit with it but that process will not happen for at least 8-12 weeks...

the offer is valid till then, if you want it you get to arrange transport.

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Is it a bar for a Rangie Classic ?
Im chasing one if its decent, but i have little cash.
pics ?

Hi all ,

What about alloy bars . Not a mention on them at all . I suppose it would just crack if hit something and not repairable .
However , eyeing an alloy TJM or ECB winch bar . How do these perform ?

Ta.

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Originally Posted by ATLandy

Hi all ,

What about alloy bars . Not a mention on them at all . I suppose it would just crack if hit something and not repairable .
However , eyeing an alloy TJM or ECB winch bar . How do these perform ?

Ta.

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Ive got an Alloy TJM on mine and it is strong enough to winch from and I have done some heavy winches but I dont trust it now as it has shown up a couple of cracks in the welds underneith where the fold is welded to shape it.

Not that I think this is an enormous problem as Im gonna make up a steel cradle to take the load of winching and recoveries.

I prefer steel bars but this was on it when we bought it and I think it is strong enough but I think steel is stronger.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ATLandy

Hi all ,

What about alloy bars . Not a mention on them at all . I suppose it would just crack if hit something and not repairable .
However , eyeing an alloy TJM or ECB winch bar . How do these perform ?

Ta.

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From what I heard they are fine until you hit a Roo. After that yes they crack and become useless. Never owned one to find out if it's true.

I have an ECB alloy bar, looks smart but found that it doesn't have an integral tow/recovery point. last week was towed on the Oodnadatta track the pressure of the tow rope on the skirt was enough to bend and crack it. Yes we saw many roos and cattle on the track, just slowed until we were out of their territory.

I too have to put in a vote for a real steel bar such as ARB or the like.

As tombraider said if you hit something 100 + you could be pretty much stuffed regardless if you have a bar or not. At 100 + hitting a large object the G forces involved are massive.

I reckon a good bull bar is one of the best mods you can fit to a 4wd.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ATLandy

Hi all ,

What about alloy bars . Not a mention on them at all . I suppose it would just crack if hit something and not repairable .
However , eyeing an alloy TJM or ECB winch bar . How do these perform ?

Ta.

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I have got an alloy bar on a Kingswood. It is strong enought that when a mate hit a roo doing 130 kph, the bar was fine, but the chassis tore at the mounting points...

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Originally Posted by BigJon

I have got an alloy bar on a Kingswood. It is strong enought that when a mate hit a roo doing 130 kph, the bar was fine, but the chassis tore at the mounting points...

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This is the basic problem with bullbars on ordinary cars - if they protect the front of the vehicle, it begs the question as to what you attach them to.

There is no reason in theory why an alloy bar cannot be just as good as a steel one, although it will damage more easily with stones etc that are harder than the material - but the aluminium is harder than paint! Despite this there are a lot of accounts of alloy ones not being as strong as steel ones, so I have to conclude that, as built, they are not in general as strong.

But they are lighter, and a lot of vehicles will do better with less weight on the front.

John

Biggest issue I see with alloy bars is that they must not be subjected to lots of vibration. If the mounting is poor then they can develop stress fractures particularly on welds. That said most alloy bars are OK with this but I've seen a few over the years that have shaken themselves to pieces.