Steel bullbar bending chassis?

[jack0207 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jack0207]

Hi,

After writing off another toyota bar and pretty much deciding on an ARB deluxe bar, the smash repairers today recommended not to fit steel bars as they reckon they will bend the chassis rather than deform and absorb the impact like an alloy bar. Just wondering what others thoughts are on this as I am now undecided what to get?

Thanks
matt

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: Steel bullbar bending chassis?

What a crock, have a search and you'll see this has been discussed before, many times

[ozwapet2 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozwapet2]

Re: Steel bullbar bending chassis?

If you're going to be in a major or even moderate head-on neither a steel or alloy bar is going to stop the car getting damaged ( and possibly you ).

However for minor touches and deflections offroad, and animal strikes at lower speeds, a steel bar is the way to go.

[Davros Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Davros]

Re: Steel bullbar bending chassis?

What does a Sovereign bar cost retail? $3000.00??
If that is the price, the smash repairer will get 20% of that when he purchases it from TMC and books it up at retail to you.
I think he probably had $600.00 worth of motovation to reccomend the alloy bar.... that is if we are talking about a Sovereign bar.

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Steel bullbar bending chassis?

Hi mate,

A steel bullbar can bend/twist the chassis of ANY VEHICLE. If the impact is hard enough a steel bullbar can actually exacerbate the problem causing more damage to the chassis than it would have sustained without a bullbar.

In saying that though, low speed collisions with animals the steel bar will protect without issue.

Have you considered the smart bar? I can vouch for them being a great bit of gear. VERY strong and absorb some of the impact (to a degree) which prevents twisting and damage to the chassis.

I have written off a Triton ute with an ARB steel bar which twisted the chassis after hitting a big red roo at 110kph. Alternatively I know the local cops where I used to live, they had a new Pajero with a smart bar, and they were a big fan of it, they had hit a big roo when under lights/sirens at 140kph and all they did was bust a headlight and foglight, no other damage whatsoever.

[jack0207 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jack0207]

Re: Steel bullbar bending chassis?

Thanks for the thoughts guys. Not real worried about collisions with other vehicles, just animals. Have hit a few roos above 80kms/hr and was hoping I could just bounce them off with the steel bar without doing any damage. The alloy ones bend pretty easy in the side wings pushing it into the front wheel.

Looked at the smart bar but have seen a few times where the bar has bent back far enough to push the radiator back in, stopping the vehicle from being driven. On the plus side though, the bar did go back to its original shape.

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Steel bullbar bending chassis?

Looked at the smart bar but have seen a few times where the bar has bent back far enough to push the radiator back in, stopping the vehicle from being driven. On the plus side though, the bar did go back to its original shape.

That reminded me, forgot to mention that when I wrote off the Triton with a steel bar, it actually pushed back into the radiator piercing it making it undriveable. No matter what you get, there is no 100% effective way to prevent damage.

The smartbars, if fitted correctly, are more effective at preventing damage in an animal strike. They should have two types of impact absorbing design and only absorb to a point where it then becomes completely solid.

....waiting for the old-school boys to jump on me for my comments and say "steel is the only way to go". Steel is good yes, but with technology and advancements, these days smartbars are the best at preventing/minimising damage from animal strikes.

[ozwapet2 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozwapet2]

Re: Steel bullbar bending chassis?

Have hit a few roos above 80kms/hr and was hoping I could just bounce them off with the steel bar without doing any damage. The alloy ones bend pretty easy in the side wings pushing it into the front wheel.

Even with a steel bar, smartbar or whatever, at that speed striking a big roo's going to do damage.
If I absolutely need to drive at dusk in the bush, I find good lights with a wide throw, a keen eye and keeping very slow is the best protection.
The steel bullbar is the last line of protection.

[jack0207 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jack0207]

Re: Steel bullbar bending chassis?

Have hit a few roos above 80kms/hr and was hoping I could just bounce them off with the steel bar without doing any damage. The alloy ones bend pretty easy in the side wings pushing it into the front wheel.

Even with a steel bar, smartbar or whatever, at that speed striking a big roo's going to do damage.
If I absolutely need to drive at dusk in the bush, I find good lights with a wide throw, a keen eye and keeping very slow is the best protection.
The steel bullbar is the last line of protection.

Already run Lightforce HID's so there isn't any worry about lack of light.

When going slow I have had roo's hop into the back and sides denting panels. Have had the smash repairers quote for the ARB as the Toyo Sovereign bar is not available till late in the year anyway.
Thanks again

[Boomslang Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Boomslang]

Re: Steel bullbar bending chassis?

Hi Matt
I had the same issues and questions. See here viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9105
My decision was made easier for me in the fact that AAMI informed me that a new Alloy bat from Toyota will not be available until November. So we agreed they will pay me out and and I'll get my own bar. I have an ARB delux bar on order. Payout from AAMI was $2200 + GST + install (to be finalised).

[Bazza Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bazza]

Re: Steel bullbar bending chassis?

I witnessed a 120 plow into the rear end of a Vitara on Sunday. The Vitara came out of a side street and was only doing about 30-40k when the Prado hit it from behind at about 80-90k ( I was doing 70k when he passed me ).
I think both will be written off. The Vitara was a mess and the Prado, with a steel bullbar fitted, was incredibly damaged. IMO the bullbar took the full impact, but caused the most damage. I dont think the closing speed was that great. The Prado left about 8mts of skids marks before they hit. The whole front end was gone, even the two front doors had to be forced open. Front glass and both front door glass smashed. Both were towed away. I was certainly amazed with the amount damade to the Prado.
Bazza

[Ryzz Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ryzz]

Re: Steel bullbar bending chassis?

I witnessed a 120 plow into the rear end of a Vitara on Sunday. The Vitara came out of a side street and was only doing about 30-40k when the Prado hit it from behind at about 80-90k ( I was doing 70k when he passed me ).
I think both will be written off. The Vitara was a mess and the Prado, with a steel bullbar fitted, was incredibly damaged. IMO the bullbar took the full impact, but caused the most damage. I dont think the closing speed was that great. The Prado left about 8mts of skids marks before they hit. The whole front end was gone, even the two front doors had to be forced open. Front glass and both front door glass smashed. Both were towed away. I was certainly amazed with the amount damade to the Prado.
Bazza

If there was 8 Meters of skidmarks, then thats a pretty decent rate of rate of knots. Do the 120's have ABS fitted standard, it seem strange that a modern car would skid for that long with all the safety protection built into them these days.

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Steel bullbar bending chassis?

If there was 8 Meters of skidmarks, then thats a pretty decent rate of rate of knots. Do the 120's have ABS fitted standard, it seem strange that a modern car would skid for that long with all the safety protection built into them these days.

Might have been a GX which does not have ABS as standard. GXL and upwards have ABS as standard.

[Ryzz Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ryzz]

Re: Steel bullbar bending chassis?

If there was 8 Meters of skidmarks, then thats a pretty decent rate of rate of knots. Do the 120's have ABS fitted standard, it seem strange that a modern car would skid for that long with all the safety protection built into them these days.

Might have been a GX which does not have ABS as standard. GXL and upwards have ABS as standard.

Is that for 120's or 150's too?

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Steel bullbar bending chassis?

Is that for 120's or 150's too?

120's only. ABS is standard across the range for the 150's.