The Bull Bar Debate

Now I know there are many people against bull bars, I like the look but have been thinking of selling my current Aries one and buying the Avid Light Bar with some tax return money. I like the look of the Avid but don't know if it's a justifiable purchase. What are your thoughts?

 

That Avid is frickin' sweet! If I didn't replace my entire bumper I definitely would've gone that route. It's actually a light bar...

 

I like the bull bar. I honestly don't see why so many members here are so dead set against bull bars. It's one thing to not like anything on your truck, but to trade the bull bar for a light bar is a waste of money in my opinion - there is not much difference between the two. The bull bar can be used to mount lights also - just call it a ligth bar instead of a bull bar. I like the beefier look of the bull bar - some light bars (although I know they are strong) just look flimsy being of small diameter stock.

I personally did not like the big skid plates on some of the bull bars - some look like bulldozers rather than bull bars, so I got the Hunter brand that has a little extra braces instead of the skid plate.

...just my opinion....

 

I have been thinking the same. I like the push bars, but the lights would really excite me. I think it is nice to be able to change up the truck. Thats why I like them. They are pretty versatile trucks.

 

Some people do not like them because, aside from holding lights, they really do not add anything functionally positive to the truck. They decrease your off road approach angle and when they do come in contact with something they can cause more damage than if they were not there.

That being said. It is your truck and your opinion that matters. If you like it, so be it.

 

Personally, I would keep the bull bar. Then again, I just bought a bull for mine. I could definitely see the reason for going the light bar route since it doesn't limit the approach angle but I wouldn't go trading. JMO.

 

What I like most about the Avid beyond the looks & functionality is that it protects the majority of the bumper from people who don't know how to park, or from bumping walls, trees, etc. Bull Bar looks good but just doesn't have the protection I'd personally be looking for.

 

I love my Avid. Feels much more sturdy and well built opposed to bull bars. I also enjoy the fact that it offers more protection... Pick one up you wont regret it!

 

Acknowledged.
(My truck is a mall crawler, so approach angles are not a concern)

 

I can vouche for this with my avid bar. The avid bar isnt going to protect you against a full on head collision but it can protect the bumper from being cracked from a tiny pump. So far im am really happy with mine (wish i would have gotten more light tabs).

At the same time still want a full steel bumper (plate or tube), but then again who wouldnt

 

Nothing wrong with that. Most of the off-road guys spend 98% of their time on the pavement, and who doesn't like the mall.

 

I just don't like the way bull bars look. I'm not "against" them, just wouldn't put one on my truck. I think the giant tubing is too overpowering. A Westin bullbar uses 2.5" or 3" tubing. Could you imagine if all your shit was that size? 3" o.d. sliders? With a bull bar and the stock taco rake it looks like the giant bull bar is weighing down the front of your truck.

 

That's why I still need to add a 4" diameter tubing roll bar in the bed to get things back in balance.

 

They do look good but the metal and mounting points are flimsy, so if you get into an accident on the street it just becomes a damage multiplier....

just my 0.02 cents

 

X2. I'm not a huge fan of bull bars. Some trucks I think they look OK on, but I think the Avid light bar is pretty sweet. That would be my choice OP, but its all in what you like/want.

 

Avid is great protection from bumping trees and people backing into you in parking lots! Wish I could get something similar for the back too!

 

This is all you need....

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/avid-off-road/202756-avid-rear-bumper-guard.html

 

It's a personal preference and is subjective. Yeah, the main reason for a bull bar is cosmetic, but IMO so are light bars and offroad lights. My opinion is offroad lights are rarely put to actual practical use, even by many of those who ofrroad. I am not saying that nobody makes use of them. But this is the exception, not the rule, IMO. Most of the things we do our trucks--lifts, bars, etc are cosmetic enchancements in the end and will really never be put to any practical use by most(not all) drivers.

So, I find the argument that bull bars are not worthwhile becase they serve no practical use to be a bit over the top given all I just said. Usually, the person saying this has a six inch lift that will never be used in any practical setting and has lights mounted on bars that will never be used in any practical setting either. I do not care for the look of most bull bars but that is just my own subejctive view.