Bull bar thoughts

[Sandcruiser]

I’ve read that bull bars can sometimes multiply the damage when you hit something like a deer rather than protect the vehicle. What are your thoughts?

Recently we hit a juvenile buck at about 20-25 mph and it hit the capable bumper on our 4Dr Sasquatch No damage to grill because it must have ducked and it was young. It bent the center in and cracked the sensor cover. I was able to pull out most of the bend manually. I wonder if a bull bar would have created more upward and rearward stress.

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[PetePerkins]

Considering how thin the metal is on the capable bumper...possibly. Maybe
AdamF@IAG can chime in: https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...ll-bar-by-iag-first-photo.107030/post-2427116

 

[Valhalla]

ARB summit.... or the deer slayer...
ARB Bronco Summit Winch Front Bumper 3480010 (21-24 Bronco, Excluding Raptor) - Free Shipping

 

[Lifeliberty]

Every hit will be different, a bull bar hopefully protects from most kinds. I have the Turn bull bar is it projects forward away from grill for better protection. The Ford bull bar is up against the grill and looks like it will just squash right back.

I now have the turn baja bar, which is basically the bull bar with added protection for the headlights

 

[Lifeliberty]

ARB summit.... or the deer slayer...
ARB Bronco Summit Winch Front Bumper 3480010 (21-24 Bronco, Excluding Raptor) - Free Shipping

Or you can get this, which is a bit much for me to look at. But it looks like great protection for the Outback. Depends on where your live

 

[Valhalla]

Lots of stuff slaps mine...My bumper is dented from a full throttle send....

 

[AdamF@IAG]

I’ve read that bull bars can sometimes multiply the damage when you hit something like a deer rather than protect the vehicle. What are your thoughts?

Recently we hit a juvenile buck at about 20-25 mph and it hit the capable bumper on our 4Dr Sasquatch No damage to grill because it must have ducked and it was young. It bent the center in and cracked the sensor cover. I was able to pull out most of the bend manually. I wonder if a bull bar would have created more upward and rearward stress.

Like someone else had mentioned, it all depends on the situation. A typical bull bar wouldn't have helped in this case. One that mounts to the lower frame mount would have definitely made the contact, but hard to say how well it would have held up with all the leverage from that style. Any bar that mounts directly to the capable bumper will cause more damage that it will prevent. The bumper is only 0.063" (16 GA) metal, and has no internal reinforcement.

The system we are releasing will mount to the IAG bumper mounting plate and the IAG recovery point. Its very sturdy, and doesn't use the bumper shell at all for it's strength.

If you are planning to mow down wildlife on the regular, your best bet is a heavy aftermarket bumper.

 

[Sandcruiser]

Yes, I live in Western NC mountains. So many deer around. It was my wifes Bronco that was hit. I pulled out the dent as much as I could. We had the bumper removed and the central plastic cruise control sensor cover replaced. Unfortunately the guy epoxied the right parking sensor cover back on because one clip was fractured. Now I cannot remove bumper without destroying the $250 parking sensor cover. We will just replace the whole thing. She wants it perfect.

I have a Badlands with modular bumper. What is the best option for me?

 

[Valhalla]

That is personal preference. What do you "use" the bronco for? on road enjoyment, offroad fun, overland, hot rodding, perhaps mall crawl???

 

[Searchdawg]

I’ve read that bull bars can sometimes multiply the damage when you hit something like a deer rather than protect the vehicle. What are your thoughts?

Recently we hit a juvenile buck at about 20-25 mph and it hit the capable bumper on our 4Dr Sasquatch No damage to grill because it must have ducked and it was young. It bent the center in and cracked the sensor cover. I was able to pull out most of the bend manually. I wonder if a bull bar would have created more upward and rearward stress.

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I’ve read that bull bars can sometimes multiply the damage when you hit something like a deer rather than protect the vehicle. What are your thoughts?

Recently we hit a juvenile buck at about 20-25 mph and it hit the capable bumper on our 4Dr Sasquatch No damage to grill because it must have ducked and it was young. It bent the center in and cracked the sensor cover. I was able to pull out most of the bend manually. I wonder if a bull bar would have created more upward and rearward stress.

 

[Valhalla]

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I love my ARB, it is heavy with a winch in, mine is modified for my 3" body lift.

 

[Sandcruiser]

@Searchdawg
Thats a nice looking winch bumper. Looks very stout and frames everything well. I guess it blocks the camera? Which model and how much?

 

[Essmith94]

mine may deflect the impact down but like others have said it’s the bumper it’s attached to that will determine the damage.

 

[Searchdawg]

@Searchdawg
Thats a nice looking winch bumper. Looks very stout and frames everything well. I guess it blocks the camera? Which model and how much?

This is an ARB Summit bumper. Runs about $1850 everywhere unless you catch a sale (which I did). A front camera relocation kit is included and it works great. Also accepts sensors and works with adaptive cruise if you have that. It’s the best thought out bumper/bull bar/winch mount in my humble opinion. It is stout! With the winch, it is heavy. I upgraded my suspension with Eibach 2.0’s with heavy front coilovers.

 

[Montana Bronco]

I have a fishing buddy who owns a body shop in Missoula. Being Montana he sees a lot of deer hits.

He claims that he has never seen any aftermarket bumper/bull bar/whatever that did any good. He says as far as the cost of repairs, it is always less expensive to repair a front end that is unmodified.

YMMV, but he is a pro who deals with this everyday.

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