bullbars

Hello Stans Truck,

you are right steel bars can get heavy and cause your nose to point down, affecting your departure angle, where alloys are less prone to it. Another problem with the steel bars is rust once you get some chips on the coating (and trust me you will if you ga on the dirt). On the other hand they are stronger than the alloy bar I think.
You can probably correct the problem of weight by modifying your suspension but there is cost involved.
I personnally don't think there is much difference other than that between steel or alloy bars and for me it mostly came to a choice of how will it look on the car. I had a steel bar on my old Courier and it looked good (white car and black coating on the bar) and did not seem to point my nose down, especially when the ute was loaded at the back. But it started to rust wherever the coating had wore out. On the new Challenger I opted for an alloy East Coast Bull bar (they really look awesome). Reason is the car is a metallic silver color and it looks better than a black coated bar. Plus for the most recent Challenger models the choice is rather limited. Some bars did not come done low enough to cover the wind screen whipers water tank,...
I don't know if it could be a problem for your vehicle but there are also things like that to consider (anything not covered, is it winch compatible, where can you fit your recovery points, can it hold your spotlights, antennas,...).
I hope this help and good luck,

Slyonnet.

Have just been through a similar exercise myself and weight was one reason I opted for an alloy bar for our Prado. Whilst not answering your question I did have it powdercoated, polished bars look good when new however the upkeep can be very time consuming. Mine is powdercoated in a hammertone type dark grey/black colour called Mystique (i think) which sets off well against the silvercolour of the car. Upkeep is minimal , a wash when the car gets a wash and if you happen to chip it a black permanent marker is a good touch up pen.
Just my two bobs worth

Alan C

Stan,
If you intend to play hard in the bush a steel bar is the go. Weather you just knudge a tree or run into something it will take a beating & is easily repaired. A winch is also mounted alot more securely in a steel cradle. (Saw an electric winch pulling it's self off the front of an alloy bar recently) You would probably need to upgrade the springs to carry the extra weight.(definately with a winch)
Alloy bars can be fitted without the need to upgrade the springs but if damaged are difficult to fix (throw away) & often suseptable to cracking on the mounts which is hard to weld up in remote areas.
ECB make excellent alloy bars & racks & IMHO are one of the better ones.
Another option is the Sahara style bars. Steel but with the loops chopped off to save weight.
Cheers Craig........

ok guys thanks for your advise hope you all have a merry xmas and ahappy new year

Hi Stan

Have you given any thought to a "smart bar" made from the same stuff as wheely bins very tough and light and reshape after a hit. www.smartbar.com.au.

merlinp

Hi Stan, you will find that if you opt for a steel bar, it makes using a kangaroo jack, or hi-lift, jack possible without too much damage to your barwork. If you intend to takle serious off-roading, it may be wise to have one of these.

Also, fitting better coil springs to a 100 series cruiser is not very expensive. You should be able to get a set for about $250 a pair (fitted).
Try a spring / suspension place, they're cheaper than a 4x4 shop. Not only will these lift your cruiser a bit, it will handle much better.

If you're only going mild, not wild, then ally is tops.

Cheers,

Muzz

I have run over in ecxess of 8 roos in my camper and laid flat countless thousands of trees in work tojos so I can tell you if it isnt steel its just for show - save your money

G'day Stan,
If you get a Smart Bar don't get it colour coded.
W've got one on our Falcon ute, hit a roo, didn't damage the bar but with it absorbing all the shock it splintered the paint and now it looks shocking.

Big chunky alli bars look sexy, but mostly you can't un bend 'em. Steel for me always.