"A nudge bar or a bull bar....that is the question?"
I never was too good at school. Spent too much time under a bonnet! So while I don't know my Shakespeare from my Shabba Ranks, I do know a lot about cars.
In this article, I'll take you through the pros and cons of nudge bars and steel bull bars so you can make your decision an informed one.
What is a nudge bar?
A nudge bar is a lightweight, low-profile metal or plastic device that mounts onto the front of a vehicle to protect pedestrians from being hit in an accident.
The main purpose of this bar is to protect smaller vehicles (like small SUVs and sedans) from minor collisions and accidents.
They are light bars, designed to be sleek and aerodynamic so they won't affect fuel consumption or a vehicle's appearance.
Benefits of using nudge bars
Even though they provide minimal protection, nudge bars can be very useful during collisions.
Here are the greatest benefits of using this type of bar:
- Prevents or reduces injuries in low impact situations
- Reduces the severity of injuries in high impact collisions
- Keeps pedestrians away from the front of the vehicle
- Inexpensive and easy to fit onto the vehicle
What is a bull bar?
Bullbars, also known as 'roobars', are accessories similar to nudge bars in that they are attached to the front-end of the vehicle, primarily for the protection of the vehicle and its occupants.
However, bullbars are much larger and heavier than nudge bars and they attach to the front of vehicles by brackets or clamps, often during manufacturing.
A bull bar is usually made of heavy steel and can be used with or without a nudge bar. It's designed to withstand impacts from pedestrians, other vehicles and even large animals in the event of a collision.
Bullbars provide maximum protection for drivers, passengers, as well as your vehicle. They cover all lamps, radiator, grille, sheet metal around the driving lights, and even the top of the engine.
They can also be used for mounting accessories such as driving lights or winches.
Benefits of using bull bars
4x4's aren't cheap and a bull bar is one of the best accessories for protecting your vehicle (and you).
Here are some of the most benefits that come with choosing bullbars:
- Protects the entire front of the car or truck in collisions
- Prevents damage to the radiator, grille, and surrounding areas
- Can be used with or without a nudge bar
- As well as the protection element, they also have a certain aesthetic appeal (making your car look pretty bad-ass!)
What's the difference between nudge bars and bull bars?
While both nudge bars and bull bars are designed to protect the vehicle's front end, there are key differences between them.
Nudge bars are aluminium tubing extending from the front bumper of the car, usually covering only half of the front grille. The part has sharp edges, which can be used for pushing or nudging other cars out of the way in a tight spot. Nudge bars offer protection against more minor accidents and bumps, as they are not as strong as a steel bull bar.
A bull bar, on the other hand, is a thick metal bar that is mounted to the front bumper and extends across the entire width of the car. It is typically much heavier than a nudge bar and is designed to offer protection to the car's engine and chassis from collisions with larger objects. In addition, a bull bar is usually equipped with additional lighting or fog lights to make the car more visible at night.
So, the primary difference between nudge bars and bull bars is that a nudge bar is lighter and thinner, while a bull bar has a sturdier construction and provides superior engine protection.
Which accessory you plump for really depends on your needs.
Do you drive predominantly in urban areas? A nudge bar usually offers sufficient protection and is less dangerous should you collide with pedestrians.
A bull bar, however, can offer protection from larger objects, such as rocks, and even a large wild animal, so it caters better for off-road driving. Though its extra weight also takes its toll on your fuel consumption, so that's another consideration to weigh up.
Why choose Jungle 4x4 bull bars?
Jungle 4×4 was born out of a passion for the Australian way of life.
All our bull bars have been designed and tested in Australia and are airbag compatible and ADR approved. Jungle 4×4 has made a huge investment in making sure the bars have an aesthetic appeal while meeting the toughest safety standards.
If you're looking for deluxe bull bars, sports bull bars, side rails, side steps, and recovery gear, check out our wide range of accessories.
