Im intending to buy a bull bar for a 78 series. And yes I have read past threads. However there seems to be contradictory info about the weights of these beasts. (I hope Im not breaking the rules) The following claims are made by a certain company....... REPEAT THIS IS A CLAIM BY A COMPANY! !!!!!!
PLASTIC PROTECTION BARS
Over recent years newly redesigned polyethylene or simply plastic protection bars have entered the market, making some broad claims. Plastic is simply too flexible, some manufacturers claim that their frontal protection bars spring back into shape after an impact. It is great that the bar flexes then returns to its original shape and looks virtually unmarked. However, what about your vehicle? The very reason that you fit a protection bar for is to minimise damage to your vehicle. When the plastic protection bar has flexed through your body work, damaged your radiator and other vital components and left you stranded on the side of the road with your vehicle immobile, and you are contemplating a large repair invoice, the benefits of a plastic protection bar which has sprung back into shape are soon forgotten. In many cases the plastic product is no stronger than the original bumper that it replaces.
Plastic is a great product, but not for a Bullbar.!!
STEEL PROTECTION BARS
Steel Bullbars are too heavy, especially for today's modern 4wd vehicles with their lightweight yet high performance
suspension and sub frames. If a steel bullbar is made correctly it is too much of a weight burden for your vehicle. Some steel manufacturers build steel products so light to reduce weight, that they are not much stronger than plastic bars available. Have you ever noticed that the major manufacturers of steel products also sell upgraded
suspension? That's because you probably will need it if you fit a steel bullbar.
Steel also has no elasticity, which means in an impact the full force is directed to your chassis, engine mounts and ultimately the occupants of the vehicle. And finally - they rust.
ALLOY PROTECTION BARS
A correctly manufactured alloy product is really the perfect choice. Sure there are some alloy manufacturers that give alloy protection bars a bad name by using cheap, non-structural grades of alloy and very thin sections of material. Or use designs that have to use low grades of alloy in their manufacture process. These products do little more than attempt to look good. ECB's claim is that we have been manufacturing quality alloy Bullbars for over 30 years. We know what materials to use, what tensile strength and what thickness etc. This knowledge allows us to manufacture products that are built to perform and look great. The elastic qualities of the alloys ECB uses absorb shock on impact, therefore relieving sudden shock loading on the vehicle chassis, engine mounts and you and your passengers. Basically the facts are Plastic is too soft- Steel too hard and heavy- A correctly mode alloy product is just right!
We believe that the materials chosen, together with our unique designs, which are sometimes, copied but never equalled, are the way all good reliable alloy bullbars should be made. As you can see there are considerable differences between Plastic, Steel and the quality of Alloy protection bullbars, together with the facts surrounding genuine or after market products. However there is one thing you can be sure of... If you purchase an ECB product, you know that you have chosen wisely. All ECB products are built to perform guaranteed to last' and offer true piece of mind, protection for you, your family and your vehicle.
Are Alloy bars light enough. i.e. Dont need to, 'up grade' your
suspension?
What is a Quality Alloy Bar? Can it compete with steel?
Are the new coated alloy bars easy to clean?
How accurate would u rate the above claims?