Bullbar questions about new 2014 facelift 150 GX ...

[gregmacc Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close gregmacc]

Hi all ... We are getting close to purchasing our first 4WD and can't decide on a bullbar. In fact we're not even sure we need a bullbar
If we do go for a bullbar we will have it installed by the supplier.
Most of our touring will involve towing an Avan Cruiser on sealed and good unsealed outback roads. We plan to leave the van at camp sites and go exploring further into the bush on 4WD tracks.
We won't be getting a winch ... ever. We will however be carrying a well stocked retrieval kit.
We would prefer not to purchase a bullbar that is heavy enough to require a front suspension upgrade. So as far as I can tell (please correct me if I'm wrong here) we will be limited to alloy ... or the TJM T3, ARB Safari style bars. The ARB bars seem to obscure the lower section of the new headlights, which has us leaning towards the TJM bars. They just look a bit more "model specific".
So has anyone else had to go through this thought process? Do the more compact bars offer "enough" protection from animal hits? Do they provide jacking and retrieval points? Are there off-the-shelf blanking plates available to neatly cover the winch cable holes? Do the bars mentioned offer significant approach angle improvements?
Or ... Considering the expense and inherent compromises involved in purchasing a compact bar, is it a better option to go for a full coverage alloy unit?
All experiences/opinions gratefully considered,
Cheers,
Greg

[Warty79 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Warty79]

Hi Greg

I spent hours researching bullbars for the new look 150 series, I didn't like the genuine alloy because of its limitation to put descent driving lights on it (plus it was overpriced!) I wanted an alloy bar so I decided to go for the ECB bar which I purchased through Opposite Lock 4x4 in Adelaide. I'm pretty rapped with the overall appearance and can fit descent driving lights to it. Some of the other bars look abit skinny on cars but this one has bigger tubing and looks pretty tuff!! With this bar I haven't needed to upgrade my suspension, the car sits just fine with it on.

Cheers Warty79

[Andyfive Member Find all posts View Profile Close Andyfive]

Hi Greg

I spent hours researching bullbars for the new look 150 series, I didn't like the genuine alloy because of its limitation to put descent driving lights on it (plus it was overpriced!) I wanted an alloy bar so I decided to go for the ECB bar which I purchased through Opposite Lock 4x4 in Adelaide. I'm pretty rapped with the overall appearance and can fit descent driving lights to it. Some of the other bars look abit skinny on cars but this one has bigger tubing and looks pretty tuff!! With this bar I haven't needed to upgrade my suspension, the car sits just fine with it on.

Cheers Warty79

I'm interested to know why you couldn't put decent driving lights on the factory bullbars.

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

I was in this dilemma too and decided to go with the ARB Sahari bar. I've got a couple of pictures on my build

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Depends how much the factory plastic approach angle will get in your way but have you considered a nudge bar if you don't need frontal protection and just want a light platform.

[WDTP Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close WDTP]

Hi Greg

I choose a TJM t15 deluxe alloy bar, like this one https://www.tjm.com.au/en-oceania/pr...14?vehicle=All

Sorry I haven't posted any photos of mine yet, I need to get back to my build up thread. My looks a little different than the photo but it is very similar.

I fitted the bar myself and decided to cut the bumper rather than fit the TJM plastic bit which of course need to be painted to match your car. I am very happy with the look, you do get a bit of glare back from the top of the bars from the headlights, I spayed the back of mine at the top matt black.

This bar happens to be winch capable (I haven't installed one) and seem to be strong enough to me. Although it is alloy behind the bar is a substantial steel winch box. It was fine with standard suspension although if I had a dual battery as well it might have been getting a bit low. I don't know how much the bar weighed, I could pick the whole allow bar up with one hand. The steel which box was a two handed task.

regards Greg

[WDTP Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close WDTP]

Hi Greg
I just read your post more carefully. I have never hit an animal but to me it looks like you would still be mobile if you did, the bar of course would be mess. It didn't provide high light jack point nor recovery points (but it looks like you could still fit recover points if you really wanted to, the tie down points look pretty strong to me). There is a plastic cover that covers access to the winch controls from the top, although I have left mine out (see the TJM photo it is just behind the number plate at the top). Mine came with an alloy blanking plate that covers the winch hole from the front. If you fit a winch you remove and discard this part. I haven't measured it but it make a huge difference to the approach angle, particularly in front of the wheels.

[Warty79 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Warty79]

I'm interested to know why you couldn't put decent driving lights on the factory bullbars.

I find that Descent driving lights like the hella rallye 4000 are a lot deeper in the cone than other cheaper brands and therefore doesn't leave much room to mount them before the light hits the grill. You can put skinny arse lights on there which shine 50m in front of you, but what's the point, might as well not put any lights on there at all.

[Andyfive Member Find all posts View Profile Close Andyfive]

Maybe the Lightforce led 215s will fit.

[gregmacc Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close gregmacc]

Hi all, thanks for all the responses. I haven't been back here for a couple of days ... My wife and I went out early yesterday afternoon to a couple of Toyota dealers with the intention of kicking the tyres of a new GX or two. We ended the day by going five rounds with a salesman and eventually signing a contract for a GXL!
Anyway, now that the very stressful but neccessary process of "doing the deal" has been completed we can relax and start to think seriously about some accessories.
Warty79: I hadn't considered ECB bars but I'm happy that you brought them to my attention. They look great on their website. We will be calling into Oposite Lock for a look next week (they also apparently are agents for a drawer system we are interested in).
Dreamon and mjrandom: After a bit more research I'm really feeling the need for something more than just an accessory mount ... I'm thinking full coverage, probably alloy at this stage ... maybe powder coated.
WDTP: yes, I like the look of the T15 ... good to hear they are relatively light.
Thanks again everyone, this has been really helpful.