Business in the Front

A vital addition for anyone doing serious off-road work, the bullbar is a staple in the 4x4 accessory industry. This need-to-know guide will help you select the best bar for your application

- Andrew Middleton

Not too long ago, buying a bullbar was simple: choose the one that fits your rig, looks half decent and has space for a winch. Things have changed considerably over the past 20-or-so years, and nowadays you’re offered a whole spectrum of different styles, in various materials – including highstrength alloy and even plastic. The fact that vehicle manufacturers like to facelift their models every five years or so has also made it increasingly difficult for bull bar manufacturers to keep up with trends and increasing design cost. When deciding on your next bumper, there are several factors to consider, so let’s dive right in.

Construction material

Weight: that’s the biggest factor when choosing between alloy and steel. Aluminium has a material density three times less than steel, meaning that a bumper of the same size and thickness will be three times lighter. Of course, because of aluminium’s lower strength, it isn’t as rigid, and needs to be much thicker to match steel for strength, making the weight gap narrower.

Apart from the base construction materials used, take into consideration the number of synthetic materials used too. Many bumpers have plastic tabs covering sharp edges, as well as rubber or plastic surrounds for lights. Bear in mind that plastic may fade and perish in the sun in the years to come but, if looked after, metal will last a lifetime. Rust may be a problem, but then again, steel is easy to buffdown and touch up with the appropriate paint.

Types of bull bar