Bullbars: Poly/plastic, steel or alloy?

[GeeTee]

nbd73 has a very good and relevant thread about the 'actual' need for frontal protection bars/bullbars and it got me thinking about the different construction types of FPBs: alloy, steel and poly/plastic

So what do you have.. and more importantly, why?

What research did you do when spec-ing your bar?

I have an ARB steel unit and I chose it because of the crush cans/airbag compatibility... another mandatory requirement for my purpose was winch ability.   

But a poly bar (smart bar) is on the list for my next vehicle (and suggestion for my customers).

Discuss!

[alnjan]

do you want to make a poll of it.   When I went looking for the current vehicle it had to have certain things on it.  I am a keen 4wder and def had to have an ARB winch bar.  Would have preferred a Warn winch rather then the crap one that is now broken on it. 

[evolution]

POLL POLL POLL!!! 
Plus one for steel bar. Personally I would have preferred an alloy for the weight difference, but that was what was on it.
Im not a big fan of the poly bars, they just don't seem to look right on the cars that I have seen them on.
I like the concept of them though, maybe when it looks good on a car I will change my mind. All I can say is "say no to poly bars on au falcons and gu patrols" lol

Cheers
Evo

[Swogjb]

Steel bar IMO is the only way to go.
We have tried alloy bars on our  farm utes over the years and they just dont take the same abuse a steel bar can.

Had a mate fit a poly bar a few years back, he hit a big roo, the bar bent back into the bonnet causing damage and then sprung back into shape looking like it had never been in an accident.
Complete waste of time IMO

 

[02-SR5]

Poly bars are only for Mardi Gra floats.

Alloy bars are great for antenna's, rod holders and spotties on a beach truck.

Steel bars are the best for cattle, roos and winches.

5 post truck bull bars on the front of a new Prado is only a good thing if you wear a hat and married to your cousin.

[99disco]

I've got an arb delux winch bar on the patrol, it had the factory alloy on it when I bought the car till a van pulled out in front of me a few weeks ago. I hit him under full breaks at about 10-15kmh when I hit and the alloy bar is totalled.

As for the weight difference I would say after lifting the old one off and new one on I'd be surprised if there's 10kg in it. So it will be steel always for me now.

Oh and the poly bars are so bloody ugly I don't think I could ever bring myself to have one.



Shane

[muzza01]

Hi Geetee,
Can you mount a winch on the new poly bars?

[GeoffA]

Steel bar IMO is the only way to go.
We have tried alloy bars on our  farm utes over the years and they just dont take the same abuse a steel bar can.

Had a mate fit a poly bar a few years back, he hit a big roo, the bar bent back into the bonnet causing damage and then sprung back into shape looking like it had never been in an accident.
Complete waste of time IMO

 

Agree with ^

[GeeTee]

POLL POLL POLL!!! 
Plus one for steel bar. Personally I would have preferred an alloy for the weight difference, but that was what was on it.
Im not a big fan of the poly bars, they just don't seem to look right on the cars that I have seen them on.
I like the concept of them though, maybe when it looks good on a car I will change my mind. All I can say is "say no to poly bars on au falcons and gu patrols" lol

Cheers
Evo

Appearance is a subjective thing - and I really don't understand why a square-ish, black chunk of plastic with uprights on it  can look any less or more ugly than a squarish, chunk of alloy or steel... ?!

For me, a poly bar looks quite appealing, not because of its actual appearance but because I know the purchaser has done some homework and not simply followed the pack.

Anyhow, back to choices and justifications...

[noel_w]

I hit a big roo @ 100kph just recently and the alloy bar bent about an inch where I hit him (right in midships on the number plate). It did the job admirably and I was able to keep going that night to where I was going to. Very surprised that it wasn't much worse. Was going to leave it as is but I couldn't get a replacement blinker for it which was busted in the same hit.


Looking around for a replacement blinker assembly I found a 2nd hand TJM alloy (winch compatible) bar for $250 and has come up a real treat with a spit and polish.

I was feeling that a steel bar would have been the go for a replacement but in hindsight I am happy with the alloy. Was very surprised how the old bar stood up to the hit.


PS. Put the old bent bar on Gumtree and got $50 for it. Some peoples rubbish is another mans treasure.

[GeeTee]

Hi Geetee,
Can you mount a winch on the new poly bars?

yes there are winch compatible poly bars

[GraemeL]

I went with an ARB deluxe bar and Warn winch for my Dmax and they go on tomorrow.

For someone like me, who is new to 4x4's, bull bars and winches, trying to sort out what's what is hard when you know nothing about them to start with. So my decisions were based on what was popular and because these add ons affect my new car warranty, it had to have the support of a major company for warranty purposes.

[Alan Loy]

I seem to recall that one of the 4WD mags did a comparison (wahtever that worth) and the poly bar did very well.

Is there any real testing of the different types?  Individual opinions may not be the best method of making a choice. 

[GUEY]

Like the sticker says, when cars were real bars were steel.

Yes I know their less cyclist friendly but if they want to ride out in front of me.......

[Bird]

Hi Geetee,
Can you mount a winch on the new poly bars?

with a cradle yes.

[BigJules]

Poly bars are only for Mardi Gra floats.
Alloy bars are great for antenna's, rod holders and spotties on a beach truck.
Steel bars are the best for cattle, roos and winches.
5 post truck bull bars on the front of a new Prado is only a good thing if you wear a hat and married to your cousin.

I agree. I had a couple of alloy bars, but they were useless when any real contact was made with them. I now have a steel ARB bar and wouldn't consider any other.
Five posters are terrific on a truck, but not practical on a ute or 4wby I reckon.

[Bird]

I agree. I had a couple of alloy bars, but they were useless when any real contact was made with them. I now have a steel ARB bar and wouldn't consider any other.
Five posters are terrific on a truck, but not practical on a ute or 4wby I reckon.

x3

[MDS69]

I have a colour coded ARB deluxe winch bar on the 120 series Prado. My reasons for choosing this bar was
It was the best looking bar to suit the car
It could be colour coded easy
the Toyota alloy bar requires a lot of maintenance as it tarnished just looking at it
Steel v's alloy well we know the winner there.
I didn't like any of the other bars on the market.
Airbag compatible

My reason for fitting a BB is similar to many others
The car was purchased to travel off the beaten track so encounters with wildlife were extremely possible. Don't want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere because a kamikaze skippy damaged my radiator
Somewhere to mount accessories
If someone was to touch park the damage would far less than the factory plastic cover when on soccer mum duties
Looks great

[champin]

 Although poly bars are as ugly as Julia Gillards shaving mirror, I have seen a real life comparison working on a sheep station out west. The bosses wife seemed to attract wildlife to her Prado as if her Shoo Roo was wired in reverse. After trying out the 3 types of bar we found that Alloy bars are next to useless, Steel bars are definitely stronger but still bend out of shape when hit, Poly bars tend to spring back after a hit and absorb the shock kind of like a crumple zone in your car. Very effective in my opinion although as I said, butt ugly.
 
 

[achjimmy]

Had alloy previously and never again. Besides having to polish it, aluminum needs to be thicker to offer the same strength.   Those big arse truck alloys are strong because of their design.

Have had ARB steel on the Pajero, Rodeo and as of tomorrow on the cruiser as well. From what I have read I would certainly consider a plastic bar in the future.

[briann532]

I've had them all.

Horses for courses.
If weights an issue go alloy, but don't expect too much strength.
If alloys not strong enough for you, go steel.
If you're a poser with far too much time and money and no idea then strap a 5 post farm gate to the front.
(of course cattle stations etc which need them exempted)
I am having a smart bar fitted tomorrow.
I've had them before and had plenty of knocks, roos, and winches on them.
My preference as its light and strong. If a hit is hard enough to bend a smartbar back and wreck the car, then a steel one at the same impact would be cactus....
I had 2 x steel bars replaced in accos on my last patrol. Neither of them big hits. One in a carpark where the boss went too far and kissed a pole, and another 45 degree impact at the front from a P-plater who thought it was better to take photos while driving than watch where they were going. Both required panel and metal work and lights bonnet etc replaced. Both times bar was replaced.

I realise a smartbar is not the all round answer, but its safety aspects and ability to "absorb" some impact, fares well in my books.

Again, horses for courses

[MarkVS]

GeeTee,
I didn't even know that smartbars existed until this thread. I have stayed clear of the thought of a metal bar due to weight and cost.
I think these look good, according to the website have good cridentials for protection, and if the weight and price are good,worthy of strong consideration. IMHO

MarkVS

[2010banditsa]

ive got a white, ex nsw copper paj with a black smart bar and warne winch fitted. Whilst i am yet to test the bar in anger, i have grown used to the shape of it on the car and think the semi colour coded ones i have seen on other cars actually look pretty good... maybe discrete is a good description, especially when compared to fu*k off silver bull bars.

[BurnsOil]

I have a SmartBar and have had to have the mounting brackets welded as they had cracked on both sides of the car.  Also have tried different ways to stop the lights from vibrating.  About to try a stabiliser bracket from the top of the bullbar to the top of the light.  Don't mind the shape.  Weight is good and they have a good deal of steel behind them.  However, yet to hit a roo with the bar.

[crackacoldie]

Have steel on the Ranger, hit a big roo at the wrong side of 100k's, broke out the plastic pretty and knocked the spot light out of alignment.  Saw photos today of a Ranger with a smart bar that hit a medium roo at around 60, said ranger is now in for a new bonnet, grill and headlight.

Agree horses for courses and if you do not regularly drive in hi risk animal strike zones, then the smart bar is fine, but I do big K's in the outback and the steel bar has saved me more than once.

  Cracka