Behind the Scenes Shots of SmartBar's Toyota Prado 150 range

[SmartBar Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close SmartBar]

Re: Behind the Scenes Shots of SmartBar's Toyota Prado 150 range

Hi Troy,

Thanks for your interest. Unfortunately, the 120 Prado was released before Hills Holdings purchased Team Poly (SmartBar). But as the Prado range continues to grow we’re making sure SmartBar is available for the new models. Hope this answers your question.

Cheers,

SmartBar.

[usefulpup Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close usefulpup]

Re: Behind the Scenes Shots of SmartBar's Toyota Prado 150 range

Does this include the weight of the brackets used to fit the smartbar?
cheers Andrew

Hi Discoveraus,

I see you’re interested in SmartBar as a lightweight alternative to steel and alloy bars. SmartBar is a bumper trim, so to install it, you have to cut the original bumper skin. And it only adds 27.4 kg to the weight of the vehicle, - up to 56kg lighter than those traditional bars.

If you’ve got any other questions just let us know.

Cheers,

SmartBar

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

Re: Behind the Scenes Shots of SmartBar's Toyota Prado 150 range

On departure angle, the smartbar may make it worse, but if you seriously look into it, you find that often steel or alloy bars from TJM, ARP and others also make your departure angle worse.

I read an article about 4 months ago in one of the 4WD mags that did a bunch of comparisons on the range of bars for the 150 series. The TJM T13 was the only one that improves approach angle (even better) than the original front bumper... hence the one attached to my rig.

I'm now in my 3rd 150 series since they were released and can honestly say I enjoy the ride in my new GXL with the TJM bar fitted better than the previous 2 which had no bullbar and a god awful 'Tuff' alloy bar respectively.

IMO I reckon the smart bar looks a lot better than some of the bars available... just not as good as the TJM bar! :lol:

Cheers,
Roadblock

[usefulpup Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close usefulpup]

Re: Behind the Scenes Shots of SmartBar's Toyota Prado 150 range

Hi roadblock,
I still can't decide between black smartbar or colour coded tjm like yours for our graphite gxl. Can you tell me if you recommend any suspension ugrade for the steel tjm? Was your car affected greatly after its install
thanks,
Andrew

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

Re: Behind the Scenes Shots of SmartBar's Toyota Prado 150 range

Hi roadblock,
I still can't decide between black smartbar or colour coded tjm like yours for our graphite gxl. Can you tell me if you recommend any suspension ugrade for the steel tjm? Was your car affected greatly after its install
thanks,
Andrew

I never drove my new GXL without the TJM bar but I had 2 150 series prados before this one per my last post and haven't noticed the difference. I think because they are a full bumper replacement and sit so close the front of the chassis you don't get as much moment effect from the weight of the bar. They are a really great looking bar IMO and I would recommend to anyone.

Roadblock

[BigRed Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close BigRed]

My 150 has had the black Smart Bar fitted. This is my third Smart bar after having them on 2 Nissan Patrols.
After having 8 Kangaroo, 2 Emu and one Wombat impact I have found they do a great job protecting the front of the car. More impressive has been the protection I got when a Troopy cut me off, bouncing the whole front of my car up on to the kerb. Also an unfortunate accident on a greasy wet road where I slid into the back of a wagon, destroying the back of it, only damage was some scratches / gouging to the Smart bar. No damage to my car panels or chassis, only some small chips from the glass that landed all over the roof and bonnet. These bars flex enough to absorb the impact without bending the bar or chassis /panels.
Have not noticed any difference to steering or handling due to the light weight and have not touched down during creek crossings at the front, only the tow bar grinding its way through at the rear.
No rust, no polishing, takes spot lights and aerial and it looks great.

[MUMSRIG Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MUMSRIG]

As above... We used these extensively in underground mining.. Besides receiving some gouges from the sharp rock walls they lasted longer than the vehicles.. These things were bounced off everything underground and stoof the test of time...

Would I fit one to a car of mine? Probably not as I prefer the look that we have on MUMSRIG... I would however consider one for a family sedan etc...

[120D4D Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 120D4D]

My 150 has had the black Smart Bar fitted. This is my third Smart bar after having them on 2 Nissan Patrols.
After having 8 Kangaroo, 2 Emu and one Wombat impact I have found they do a great job protecting the front of the car. More impressive has been the protection I got when a Troopy cut me off, bouncing the whole front of my car up on to the kerb. Also an unfortunate accident on a greasy wet road where I slid into the back of a wagon, destroying the back of it, only damage was some scratches / gouging to the Smart bar. No damage to my car panels or chassis, only some small chips from the glass that landed all over the roof and bonnet. These bars flex enough to absorb the impact without bending the bar or chassis /panels.
Have not noticed any difference to steering or handling due to the light weight and have not touched down during creek crossings at the front, only the tow bar grinding its way through at the rear.
No rust, no polishing, takes spot lights and aerial and it looks great.

Bloody hell BigRed do you drive with your eyes closed or just only dawn/dust and wet greasy days!!!

p.s can someone tell me who make the 'nominal steel winch bar' that weighs in at a whopping 84kg....... ARB told me the deluxe is around the 56kg mark

[spitfireslw Member Find all posts View Profile Close spitfireslw]

does it still require the bumper to be cut for a perfect fit?

[BigRed Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close BigRed]

[QUOTE=120D4D;313075]Bloody hell BigRed do you drive with your eyes closed or just only dawn/dust and wet greasy days!!!

That was over 10 years and many thousands of km's on country roads, worse night was near Cobar with Roos grazing on the verge grass, slowed to 80 km/hr but still had 3 jump in front of the car. I hate to think of the damage with out a bar there.

[BigRed Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close BigRed]

does it still require the bumper to be cut for a perfect fit?

All of the lower section of the bar is cut off, just leaving the top section and grill fill in sections.
The genuine Toyota fog lights are re mounted in the new bar.