smartbar bullbar

[mjrandom]

When we had the 90 series we fitted it with a smart bar. At the time it looked just like any other bar. The 4wd is the wifes daily driver and that was the bar she wanted so on it went. There was a lot of hype around it at the time with photos of what a smart bar looked like after an impact and what it looked like the next day. I can confirm that on the 90 series the bar did in fact spring back into shape after a big animal strike. And there was no mark where the impact occurred. And no damage to the chassis or mounts. When we came to Brisbane my wife hit the back of a Calais in a round about. Woman stopped while halfway around the round about and my wife couldn't stop in time. Not much of an impact but still the bar contacted the plastic of the Commodore. They pulled over and inspected the damage. There was no evidence on either car, do that with a steel or aluminium bar and there would have been paint missing for sure. So it saved us a few $ then too. Smart bar at the time also performed some tests with dummies to show the smartbar was less likely to cause major trauma in a pedestrian strike. Not sure if that was done in accordance with any standards but it appreared that the smartbar was less harmful than even the factory bumper.

Moving on to the 120 and no smartbar option was available. So we went for a steel bar.

Fast forward to the 150 and we again have a smartbar. Unlike Hutch I do not agree that it is the ugliest bar ever. To my eye it is the second ugliest behind that TUFF rubbish that is becoming sadly more common. I assume that all the previous holds in that the bar springs back into shape and that it is (as much as a bar can be) more pedestrian friendly.

It is purely personal choice. If the smartbar looked ok to me I would again fit one. No hesitation. To me it looks as attractive as a hat full of arseholes so it isn't an option.

Happy for people to fit what they want to their cars. Happy for them to extol the virtues but don't try and ram it down my throat and most specifically do not make statements that are factually incorrect.

You like the smartbar, great fit it and be happy. I will fit something else and be happy with that.

[buster0z]

I wouldn't call it a smart bar, certainly doesn't look smart...

[AJ120]

This is incredible this post haven't had any activity for 2 years and I didn't think I would get a response.

Hardly surprising you got the responses you did. Your post was logical and well thought out, your reasoning seemed sound and then you went and started slinging crap at steel bars, which is fine if your arguments made sense.

Steel bars are just too heavy, they look good but one good knock and they are ruined and let's face it they kill people and are banned in many places.

Too heavy is an individual thing, a smartbar with winch is about the same weight as steel bar without winch, so where is the line for too heavy? Its an individual decision so long as you don't exceed axle limits.

Steel bars killing people, lets face it cars kill people, any car. If you fit a smart bar to your Prado it is going to be less pedestrian friendly than without any bar, if you are so concerned about pedestrian safety why are you fitting a bar at all?

Steel bars can take many knocks without any damage at all, so that statement is just not true.

Not sure how bars being banned in Europe is applicable to Australia, totally different situation over here.

I take it that you have never hit a Kangaroo before, if you had you might factor a few other things into your decision. Have you thought about the animal, and your responsibilities if you hit one? Its worth thinking about.

Cheers Andrew

[Racketsports]

Pics look good, that a the first time I've seen the black smartbar on a silver prado thanks.
What did the lights cost you?

The lights were as much as the bar at $675 each, plus harness and fitting. At first I was dubious about the value, but after using them I am totally convinced that they are a "brilliant" product.

[Racketsports]

Black Smartbar on Silver Pearl 150

We have the Smartbars on our Pajero's and Hilux's at work and I really liked the look of them. Like anything it comes down to personal preference and whilst they may not be the most handsome bar for the 150 I am pretty pleased with mine. I like how they don't add much weight over the front suspension (25kgs) and how resistant they are to stone damage. I really wanted to add some driving lights to my rig so really needed a bar to facilitate this. I went the non winch version and had it supplied and fitted through Opposite Lock Newcastle for $1350. In time I will add a UHF aerial and was tossing with the idea of a LED lightbar, but after adding the 18 LED rounds from Great Whites, I don't need any more light or they'll start bushfires lol. I added a couple of pics for those asking for them, as stated before, personal choice, each to their own and as long as the owner is happy, then that's all that matters.
Cheers
Racketsports

[fido666]

I still think they r the ugliest thing ever!!!

I reckon the Tuff bar should take that award.

The Smart Bar isn't my cup of tea but each to their own. I did notice that the promo pics show an aerial attachment but none of the pics show an aerial mounted to that, they all have a little stumpy mounted up on the rack.

[D4D]

I don't want to lift the car as it has excellent handling and I want to keep it.

A good aftermarket suspension will actually improve the handling.

Good luck with your smartbar, I'll stick with my banned steel ARB people killer...

[Dusty74]

I can certainly add to the number of people with a steel bar who have survived an animal strike, and it may come as a surprise to some of the author's in this thread, but it didn't leave a mark at all. I'll agree it wasn't a big "Red", but a conservative 40-50kg grey at 110km/h.
As rhs58 has said, your the one who's convinced the Smart bar is the right choice for you, I just echo their sentiments that coming to that decision shouldn't be justified with false/ misguided information. I'm not in anyway saying the Smart bar is the wrong choice or isn't any good, just that it, like all the other bull bars on the market, is a personal choice that should be made with correct information applied to your circumstances.

Cheers,
Dusty

[rhs58]

Some broad generalisations and assumptions there Jasen, not all correct IMHO.
You seem to have convinced yourself that Smartbar is the best choice for you. And that's the only person you have to convince.
Go get one, then post some pics for us.

[Chewbacca]

Steel bars are just too heavy, they look good but one good knock and they are ruined and let's face it they kill people

The more I think about it the more I think it's a no brainier, Smartbar is the future! At first I thought they were ugly but they are really growing on me now, the lines are right for the car and I think the bar makes the car look more rugged. The more the flat earth brigade put it down the more I want one.

Smartbar on a Prado, you know it makes sense!

Gee you are making some pretty major generalisations there! I have hit roos and know plenty of other people who have with a steel bulbar and there is barely a scratch left behind.
Steel bull bars kill people, come on if you hit someone with a smart bar is there some sort of magic cushion that comes out and they walk away as if nothing happened!
Not to mention as far as I am aware steel Bullbars are not banned in Aus, not for lack of trying from people with similar thoughts as you!

Matt

[AJ120]

Steel bars are just too heavy, ....................... and are banned in many places.
!

Where are steel bars banned?

Cheers Andrew

[Hutch]

I still think they r the ugliest thing ever!!!


Hutch- 2012 Prado 150, some TJM Kit.

[William]

Re: smartbar bullbar

Hi William,
Emailed Smartbar and they've just come back with...
"Prado approach angle of standard Prado with no SmartBar fitted 32 degrees. Approach angle with SmartBar fitted 33 degrees. Approach angle is improved by 1 degree following fitment of SmartBar"

Regards
Robin

That's odd... According to arbs product notification on the deluxe bar... a 150 Prado fitted with a deluxe bar and a 2" lift has an approach angle of 31 degrees.

Cheers

[davtan]

Re: smartbar bullbar

Hi

Sorry all I did not read it properly, I will double check in future before posting. I was also looking for a smart bar for a new Triton and had a few windows open. Sorry if I got anyone's hopes up about colours.

Dave

[strombleki]

Re: smartbar bullbar

Hi All

Here is a link to the smartbar website, the 150 bars are available now and in various colours

http://www.smart-bar.com.au/~/media/...ogue_2007.ashx

http://www.smart-bar.com.au/~/~/medi...Prado-150.ashx

Seriously looking at replacing the toyota bar sometime in the future

hey davtan,

the brochure says only available in black and white. have you heard different?

louie

The last I spoke to them they said the same thing, currently available in black & white !!!
And they will gage demand for different colours before releasing this bar in other colours apart from black and white !!!
So if you are interested in this bar in another colour it may be advisable to drop them an email showing your interest !!!