Kangaroos and bullbars

Submitted: Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 15:17
ThreadID: 3449 Views:9109 Replies:14 FollowUps:12
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Hi all, With the main choice of bullbars now being either steel,alloy or plastic has anybody hit a roo at say 80-100klms per hr and not have the bar fold back into the guard,bonnet or grille.If damage is none or minimal which bullbar is the go and why?

cheers marcus
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Reply By: Mr Bean - Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 15:49

Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 15:49
Hi ya Marcus,
Yeah unfortunately I have come to greif with a roo at above mentioned speeds. Ok it goes like this, Steel, obviously is much stronger and so therefore will stand a greater impact. However it should be mentioned that steel bars are to this date NOT airbag compatable. So the question is now, does it need to be? If the answer is yes then move on to Alloy; If no then steel is probably your baby, ok say you choose alloy, then is weight a problem, yes! Then move on to a smart bar; If no go back to Alloy. Get the picture? Horses for courses, which one will do the job for you with out too much compromise. Frankly IMO, If your going fast enough when you hit a roo it doesn't really matter cause there is going to be serious damage anyway. The only difference with having the bar and not having one is with the bar you will probably be able to drive the car still. Without it, then it isn't going anywhere. People will tell you lots of stories about which one is best but when it all boils down to it, your going to buy what suits your needs the best, right. I have an Alloy one and it serves me for the purpose for which I intended it for. It holds my winch and guards against animal strike at med to low speeds and is still airbag sensitive for larger impacts with other vehicles. I will bet you a beer though that someone else will have a different opinion.
Bean.
AnswerID: 13492

Follow Up By: Cashy - Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 19:57

Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 19:57
Most steel bars from reputable makers (ARB, TJM) are designed to be airbag compatible. It is not the bar but the mounting points on the chasis that have an section added to crush similiar to what would happen without the bullbar being fitted.

Cashy
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Follow Up By: Mr Bean - Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 08:52

Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 08:52
I reckon you owe me a beer marcus!
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Follow Up By: Royce - Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 23:22

Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 23:22
"serious damage anyway"..... I've had the misfortune to hit many a roo with steel and alloy bullbars. The steel bars on the couple of cruisers have not suffered.... no marks really. The alloy bar on the Subaru, the same no marks. You must have it gritty roos! Hmmm I just read the 'fast enough' bit.... I guess the fastest that I have hit a roo would be about 60k, as I don't drive that fast through dangerous areas. Worst damage I've seen is when a roo had hit a mate's vehicle in the side.... oh and a friend had his small car written off by a wombat hitting the radiator and mashing it back into the motor.... missed the bullbar. cheers Royce
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Follow Up By: Michael - Friday, Feb 21, 2003 at 15:18

Friday, Feb 21, 2003 at 15:18
Cashy , you are right, steel Nissan Bullbars are compatible, BUT
i hit a EA Falcon in the rear quarter panel at 50 k's, creased the roof, not one door would open, near tore the back end off, but the airbag didn't go off. I broke the headlight, blinker assembly, small bend on the 'steel' bar. The bar was replaced, mY choice is still a steel bar.. As they say..... A REAL BAR IS A STEEL BAR.. Cheers Michael
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Follow Up By: Michael - Friday, Feb 21, 2003 at 15:19

Friday, Feb 21, 2003 at 15:19
Cashy , you are right, steel Nissan Bullbars are compatible, BUT
i hit a EA Falcon in the rear quarter panel at 50 k's, creased the roof, not one door would open, near tore the back end off, but the airbag didn't go off. I broke the headlight, blinker assembly, small bend on the 'steel' bar. The bar was replaced, mY choice is still a steel bar.. As they say..... A REAL BAR IS A STEEL BAR.. Cheers Michael
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Reply By: Rusty - Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 16:05

Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 16:05
I concur with the above answer as well. It really depends on what kind of vehicle you are going to put it on. Mine doesn't have airbags. Which is the way I like it. So I put a big heavy alloy one on and it has worked great. I haven't heard of anybody hitting anything with a plastic one, but I couldn't imagine it being to strong.
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Reply By: dolfn - Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 16:09

Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 16:09
Agree with all of the above in theory except the fact about steel and airbag compatibility. My disco TD5 has airbags and I have a TJM steel BB fitted. Both TJM and ARB make a Airbag compatible BB. Heavier than alloy, but cheaper and stronger.
AnswerID: 13499

Reply By: Truckster - Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 16:11

Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 16:11
I hit one in around 97 in my Rodeo with a crappy profile bar (it came with it) and it bent back to the bonnet, and did save a lot of damage though. nice shiny chrome bar it was, that weak we bent it straight again by standing on it pulling at the bar....

Get something solid... Goes without saying that if its not solid it bends. Get one thats a good distance from the bonnet/lights etc so if it does bend it has room to move before it damages things unlike them cheap crappy things on Ti Patrols the shiny chrome ones.. Lean on them I think it could hit the bonnet..... then $$ damage.

I got an ARB winch bar, and IM happy with it lots!
AnswerID: 13500

Follow Up By: Suzuki Viagra - Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 15:15

Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 15:15
All the bullbars you could get except the ARB one for my Vitara ($1200 fitted and painted!) were crappy nudge bars with a spot to put the spotlights on. Virtually no protection at all - whcih is probably good around town for pedestrians but not good when you go bush. I teste a few of these adn I could see them flex when I dragged on them or tried bouncing the car up and down with it.

Most Honda, RAV4, Subaru and other soft roader bars are much the same - all style and no subtance.

With weight an issue on the smaller cars particularly with modified suspension I went a 2nd hand Jackeroo Alloy bullbar and got it modified. All up it cost me $160.

Make sure that you can't make the bar flex or you may as take it back off straight away.
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Reply By: desert - Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 16:31

Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 16:31
Marcus, alloy or steel are available to suit air-bag cars. Your choice will revolve around style and functionality to support accessories, re winch, driving lights, antenae's etc. It also has to look right too. Up to you. What most people forget is that a proper bull bar will progressively colapse back into the panel work, as part of it's function to absorb the shock of impact, and so panel, bonnet and grill damage is preferrable to a smashed radiator. Keeping the radiator intact, enables you to continue driving to the nearest town to effect repairs.
AnswerID: 13504

Follow Up By: Marcus - Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 17:05

Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 17:05
Thanks for all the replies.Since i have the dual air bags the compatible steel or alloy bar sounds to be the most suitable.Most modern bars will provide for lights ,aerials etc but at around $1000 should i assume it will be a throw away job after hitting one of the millions of roos out there.I think the alloy might crush backwards into the car but who has had a heavy strike with the steel bar(around 90klms) with minimum damage.When you are miles from anywhere you want that radiator to last so the best protection from the start sounds right to me.Surely something as heavy duty as a 4x4 can handle a steel bar.


cheers marcus
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Reply By: Will - Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 16:42

Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 16:42
Marcus,
I drive a GU Patrol with a genuine Steel bar (made by ARB for NIssan) and it IS airbag compatible (at least it has a sticker that sais so).
Last year, just out of tibooburra towards Broken Hill, I was doing 110kms/h on the bitumen section (that road has patches of dirt and patches of bitumen).
As I came over the crest, an emu run in front of me without giving me time to even hit the brakes...
I hit it full on in the middle of the bar, the car leaped up and landed as the emu run under, the head flew over the top...
I pulled up and found that the bar was intact, had a scratch where the emu hit and the number plate and steel holder were embedded into the air slot...
If I would have had an allow bar, it would have bent, no bar would have rendered the vehicle useless as it would have damaged the radiator.
I would not fit anything other than steel now....
Will
AnswerID: 13506

Reply By: Bernie - Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 17:39

Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 17:39
Toyota Alloy Estate bar on Prado
80Klm roo dead centre lots of fur etc no damage
" left front " " " "

probably not much help, but they do work must have plenty of clearance on body
Cheers
AnswerID: 13511

Reply By: bruce.h - Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 18:43

Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 18:43
Gday Marcus
hti 4 roos with my hilux steel bar3 across the bar 1 in the drivers side front guard & across the bonnet 60 kmh with only damage to the front guard & bonnet that was afew years ago now ,all of the above is good advise so fit what complies with your type of car,might be worth checking with your insuirance company to see weather they cover airbag replacment if roo bar is fitted especialy in low speed colision as this may have some beering on your decission
regards Bruce
AnswerID: 13515

Reply By: Beddo - Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 21:44

Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 21:44
I lived at Tibooburra for 3 years - most people have the metal bars out there because they work - I hit roos at around 100 with no damage at centre of bar and another at side of bar slight bend - these were big reds though (work 4WD). My own sedan had an alloy bar I was doing 130 my wife said emu - I said I can see it - then oh #%&# not that one - hit the brakes and hit it about 110 - nothing left of emu and as I hit it on the left hand side of bar it bent back into guard & grill - though it was a solid old XA falcon (72 model) - so I could continue on. Go the metal one then if you want a winch you will not need to buy a cradle (which you need with an alloy).
AnswerID: 13531

Reply By: johnsy - Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 10:39

Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 10:39
marcus the sibject is covered well by the above and i would like to add one more thing get the best pencil beam lights that you can afford so you see what is there to hit at night and have a break around sunrise and dusk the worst times.driven 1000ks in the bush and never hit anything except a horse that slipped on the bitumen as i lined up to go behind him in a tire test car at 140 kph .
AnswerID: 13561

Reply By: ThePublican - Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 14:46

Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 14:46
Well no one speaking up for the " plastic " smart bar?
Have been a passenger in an 80 series fitted with a tjm alloy bar,hit a roo just on dusk at 60/65 klm /hr right hand front ,damage bill came to $2500.00+ new bar.
Hit a emu in a Jackaroo Rigout model ,{ came factory fitted with steel bar } front dead centre , 95/100 klm/hr. Tow job home, $3800.00 damage, lots of $ in 92.
Have a "smart bar" on our Ford Explorer,weighs 50% less than original chromed steel and plastic bumper bar,cost less than alloy or steel bar,
Hit a roo 3 weeks after fitting, 65/70 klm/hr left hand front , top rail bent inwards to almost touch bonnet, nil other damage,bar returned to normal shape in next to no time.
And contrary to popular belief ,provision is made for extra lights and aerials.
My 10 cents worth, 2 cents are,nt worth anything any more :)
AnswerID: 13575

Follow Up By: Truckster - Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 15:40

Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 15:40
Where to you put your winch with a plastic bullbar?
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Follow Up By: Thepublican - Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 16:01

Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 16:01
You dont, chassis mounted recovery points ,front and rear, Trifor hand winch, keeps you fit,no need for an old b-gger to go to the gym.
Forgot to mention that profile of " smart bar" increases aproach angle by 5deg over standard bumper bar.
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Follow Up By: Truckster - Sunday, Feb 23, 2003 at 22:26

Sunday, Feb 23, 2003 at 22:26
Not all cars have Chassis mounting points for a real winch...

and I can use my steel bar to winch from with a turfor too... as well as recovery hooks on it...

Plastic, isnt that what they make falcodores out of now?

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Reply By: Marty and Sam - Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 15:11

Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 15:11
Marcus,
We have a GU wagon with the original Nissan winch compatible steel bar and we hit a roo at about 80km, it hit the right side of the bar result:
Roo dead, indicator lense in the roobar smashed and it is air bag compatible.

Just a side note you can not buy the lanses seperately you have to buy the whole light assembly $65 later and two try's at it Nissan got it right talk about a rip off.
AnswerID: 13580

Follow Up By: Michael - Friday, Feb 21, 2003 at 15:06

Friday, Feb 21, 2003 at 15:06
Hey Marcus, i think 65 bucks for the complete assembly is really cheap for a Nissan assembly.
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Reply By: CHRIS - Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 17:08

Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 17:08
I have a 60 series fitted with a ARB steel bull bar. Hit a big grey near Cunnamulla at about 100ks on left side of bull bar. The only damage I sustained was one demolished left spotlight and the other spottie fell out of its lense holder and was hanging by the wires due to the shock. The impact threw the roo 30 feet sideways into the scrub. Have seen a GU nissan hit a sheep with a factory alloy. It smashed the whole centre of the bullbar and the spotlights were pointing to the stars. Go STEEL.
AnswerID: 13594

Follow Up By: Suzuki Viagra - Friday, Feb 21, 2003 at 18:39

Friday, Feb 21, 2003 at 18:39
The 6 pedestrians I've run over haven't dented the steel bumper bar. However I now need a new shovel from burying them in the forest.....

Anyone recommend a tougher shovel?
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FollowupID: 8071

Reply By: member-skippyking - Sunday, Feb 23, 2003 at 17:29

Sunday, Feb 23, 2003 at 17:29
Marcus, hit a "boomer" on our road at 80k's, dead centre, drop-kicked him 40 foot. Alloy bullbar 1, boomer 0. The bar pivoted on it's mounting bolts. Loosened bolts, bar back in line, tightened bolts, good as new. Dragged him home for the dogs to have a chew.
SK
AnswerID: 13781

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