The popularity of bull bars is easy to understand. They offer an attractive mix of functionality and aesthetic appeal.
The impact of off-road driving or animal strikes is minimised, a host of useful accessories can be attached and, well, they look pretty funky on the front of your 4x4 too!
But if you are pondering taking the plunge, you might wonder how much do bull bars cost? And what factors should you be considering before you put down your hard-earned cash? This guide will answer those very questions…
How much do bull bars cost?
A good bull bar will cost you between $1,500 and $2,500, depending largely on the quality of material used and engineering (more on those below).
There has been an influx of cheaper, lower quality imported bull bars flooding the market in recent years. Whether you choose to go that route is entirely up to you, but do be wary that those cost savings come at the expense of the materials used, the engineering and even airbag compatibility. If your choice is purely aesthetic, then you can get away with it; if your buying motives are more practical, then buying cheap can prove a false economy.
What should I consider when buying my bull bar?
When you are stumping up this kind of cash you want to make sure the bull bar is right for you and your vehicle. Have a think about what activities you’re planning and then consider these factors:
Material
Your choices here are fairly simple- most bull bars are steel or aluminium.
Steel bull bars are the popular option for off-roaders. They are stronger and more durable than aluminium, and great if you want to attach winches, fog lights, CB antennas, or other add-ons. They are also easier to fix in the event of a collision.
But, they are usually a hefty piece of kit- weighing in at around 80kgs- so sometimes they might need a suspension upgrade to accommodate them.
Single hoop bull bars (as opposed to the more popular triple hoop or bumper bars) offer something of a compromise here- much less weight, and still the strength of steel, albeit less frontal protection.
Aluminium bull bars (or nudge bars) are more suited to over-land and beach driving. Although the aluminium bull bar/ nudge bar doesn’t offer the same level of protection as steel, the light bar can still do a job here, and the fact that they are rust-proof is a nice bonus!
Compatibility
Compatibility can also be an issue- especially if you’re driving a new four-wheel drive.
Before you buy, check your bull bar is compatible with your airbag and technology like your emergency braking system (if you have one).
If you are planning to go off-road, confirm with your supplier whether yours has winch bars or is winch compatible. Not all bull bars- including the steel ones- are actually designed to have recovery points attached.
And, lastly- this one is common sense, I hope!- make sure it fits your vehicle. Luckily, many modern bull bars now come branded according to which vehicles they are best fitted for, so you won’t have to go rooting in the back of the drawer for the measuring tape!
We hope this guide has given you a better idea of what costs to expect and what to look for when buying your bull bar. Check out our selection here- 7 popular makes; 19 different models- or contact us if you have any further questions.
