steel bullbar versus aluminium

[huggy1956]

I am tossing up whether to buy the steel bullbar or aluminium bull bar for my soon to arrive platinum pajero (3.2 diesel). I believe that the steel bullbar offers greater/stronger protection (eg hitting roos etc) however am unsure as to the extra weight. I think the aluminium probably looks better however I have been quoted about $500 extra.
My previous two pajeros I had aluminium.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated

[CeeJay]

In my experience alluminium/alloy offers much less protection than steel. The weight penalty is about 20kgs, but upgraded springs sort that out.

[huggy1956]

Surely 20kg is not a huge deal. I mean we are talking about a car weighing well over 2000kg.

[CeeJay]

20kgs not a huge deal, but it is hung out in front of the axle, so leverage-wise it's more than 20kg. Add a winch and a 2nd battery and you'll definitely want the upgraded springs. Look at the ARB bar vs the MMA bar, and you'll see the ARB bar sits maybe 400mm further forward than the MMA bar.

[huggy1956]

20kgs not a huge deal, but it is hung out in front of the axle, so leverage-wise it's more than 20kg. Add a winch and a 2nd battery and you'll definitely want the upgraded springs. Look at the ARB bar vs the MMA bar, and you'll see the ARB bar sits maybe 400mm further forward than the MMA bar.

I see what you mean. 400 mm (thats about 15 inches I think) is quite a bit and will definitely influence my decision. Thanks for your help

[paulisok]

SMartbar

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MITSUBISHI-PAJERO-SMART-BAR-BULL-BAR-06-CHEAP_W0QQitemZ250558757423QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Car_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3a56773a2f

[huggy1956]

SMartbar
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MITSUBISHI-PA...item3a56773a2f

Hi Paulisok,
Thats not a bad price especially seeing the lights are included. My all up fitted price was $1800.

[schnitzel]

Have a smart bar on my falcon, and is surprisingly good as a skippy flicker. Has moved at least 10 out of the way and only damaged 1 indicator lens. Pity they always then bounce down the side of the car which then needs repair. Still not as good as the Steel bar on the pajero but a good compromise on weight and in my qpinion better than Aluminium.

[simonfish]

I had an ARB deluxe steel bar fitted to my SWB X DiD just before Christmas, it hasn't made any difference to the handling, etc. of the vehicle. The vehicle is 6 months old, so maybe the springs are still too new, but they didn't drop.
I was concerned about the additional weight, but I shouldn't have been (maybe with a winch and dual battery I would be, but not just a steel bullbar).

It was $1,873 fitted , including the ARB foglights, in the original black colour.
Very happy with it and the fitting.

[Ian Johnston]

The MM alloy bar is made out of beer cans. Had one on my DID company vehicle back in 2003, now have ARB steel one on my "new" 2004 DID Exceed.
Cant beat the strength of steel.

[sharkcaver]

But there's always the argument that alloy absorbs some of the impact energy into the bar whereas the steel bar puts most of that energy into the rail. Which would you prefer to repair? Even more so on a monocoque body.

Sorry for the can of worms

Shane.

[Ian Johnston]

A lot of it depends on the bar design as well. I have been involved in truck bull bars for years, and as you would have seen, most are alloy. They are designed to mainly handle our wildlife, not deflect cars etc.
Out in the "real" outback, a lot of trucks use steel bars, mainly for cattle deflection, and ease of extraction if bogged.

I work in the bush, and have to deal with roos, and would prefer a steel bar.

[Pete]

I work in the bush, and have to deal with roos, and would prefer a steel bar.

this is something to consider. I am an 80 road 20 bush owner. Is it better to go allum for more road use and steel for more bush - or is this simply a personal preference?

[NJ94]

Yes I thought about that ratio of bush vs bitumen but you'd only have to hit one decent sized roo? My mate lives in central WA and he has an ARB steel jigger. One night going to Kalgoorlie he hit 17 roos! Not all at once of course but you get the point. There was no damage at all on the ARB bar. Imagine if you went for a trip and that happened to you? Not sure if the ally bar would last that long. It's an extreme example of course.

[Dazza.]

One night going to Kalgoorlie he hit 17 roos!

Yeah that happens when you aim for them