Bull Bar Brand?

Does anyone that knows anything about bull bars recommend one brand over another? I've been shopping them on eBay and I don't see how the Westin is worth paying double for. We've got deer everywhere were I live and plenty of inconsiderate drivers who will tap your bumper in any parking lot. I was just going to go with a no name brand on eBay for about $130 shipped, unless anyone can make a good case to go with Westin or a better brand. Thanks in advance.

 

Ok instead of simply giving you a facepalm I'll explain. A bull bar like that is not strong enough to bounce a deer and neither is a brush guard. They are not structurally built to withstand that force and have very few mounting points. Unfortunately if you want that type of protection you'll need a bumper built for that or to weld one up

 

Thank you for the suggestion scott!! I'll take a look.

 

That's good advice. Yea I guess I would need an entire custom bumper with a guard to do it right. I don't want to go that far. I just want something that will at least help. I know many ppl who have hit a deer with no protection or just a small brush or grill guard and it didn't do all that much damage. I'm just hoping for some moderate protection with reasonable spending cost. Thanks!

 

Bull bar = damage multiplier

 

How so?

 

It's like that 1guy108 said. They are not structural whatsoever and when you hit an animal it will do more damage than without the bull bar.

 

I've read about some people who hit a deer, and the guard simply folded back into their truck, crushing the radiator and other internals. Also have heard of a case or two of frame bending.

I was in the same boat as you for a little while, but eventually got talked out of getting a brush guard.

 

Just wait till you hit an animal and with the insurance money get a plate bumper from Brute Force fab

 

There are a lot of bumper options, including some beautiful and lightweight options like the Pelfreybilt aluminum plate bumper I ordered

 

Thank you everyone!

 

i agree that bull bars with only two bottom frame mounts would be easy to push back onto the bumper.

is there a bull bar that has four mounting points?

the two standard bottom mounting points along with the two mounting points through the grill normally used for light bars.

this setup would keep the bar from being pushed back onto the bumper so easily...

 

If I remember right, those types of mounts are used in brush guards, and only bolt to the radiator support. Hence really only making them supports for steadying the extra weight of a brush guard, and not able to bear much additional force (such as a hit to the front).

 

looks like the aluminum bar would be perfect for a four point mount - standard two under bumper and two more straight out from the aluminum bar or aluminum bar mounts - drill right through the plastic cover that covers the aluminum bar.

 

saw a f150 in my parking lot at work today with a bull bar and it was a 4 point mount.

 

I think I've decided not to get one. Too many ppl have talked me out of it. I've got a s/c now and if I do get in a wreck and the bar does smash into the inter cooler, I'm not sure I could get another one just because Toyota is discontinuing them. So, I guess I won't get one. Thanks for all of the advice everyone.