Bull Bar?

Thinking of getting a bull bar and maybe some recovery hooks. What finish should I get on the bar? It has chrome running boards so I was thinking it might be best to match the chrome. Any other suggestions? I appreciate the input!

 

Unless you plan on doing more blackout mods, chrome is probably your best bet. I see a lot of white tacos in my area chromed out, often with the bull bar. They don't look too bad.

 

You should only install a bull bar knowing that if you hit anything other than bushes the bull bar will smash into your grill and bumper and do lots of damage.

If you just want a bull bar to mount additional lighting then go for it!

I personally hate chrome and would go with black.

 

I agree with the statement that chrome on white sucks. But if the bull bar bolts to the frame would it not prevent further damage in the event of a fender-bender?

 

They're cheap and don't offer and structural support. More of a "form than function" mod. If you're looking for function and structural integrity, get a bumper

 

OP you mention recovery hooks. Recovery hooks need to attach to the frame or a substantial plate bumper. A bull bar does not qualify as substantial.

 

Cheap mods aren't good, and good mods aren't cheap

 

I can tell you years ago I had a Bull Bar on my 2010 Tacoma and slid slightly turning into my icy road at about 8 MPH hit the rear of a Rav 4. And it crushed my front bumper pushing up into the grill, buckling the hood, and breaking light tabs. JUNK JUNK JUNK don't do it.

 

Bull bars = damage multipliers..... and we are talking about damage to your truck

 

I'll chime in here and say stay away from bull bars... my dad had one on his s10, some lady ran into him head on in a parking lot at around 15 mph... it caused the whole bar to fold back and completely mangle his hood and headlights as well as smash into his bumper and radiator. If he didnt have the bar, I'd say he would've only been out only a bumper.

 

I guess I won’t be getting a bull bar either never realize that.

 

Good. To be honest, they're hideous looking.

 

It won't be chrome, but check out avidoffroad bumper guards. Not a fan of chrome myself, but to each their own.

https://avidoffroad.com/cart/index....roducts/toyota-tacoma-front-bumper-guard.html

 

Are you talking about push bars.. basically the loop that comes up from below? Because ARB makes a bull bar and though it's not the best made product in that arena, I'd take it over stock or a damage multiplier any day.

 

I've got avid front and rear bumper bars, are those grouped into the same damage multiplier category as a classic bull bar? I much prefer the look but can only assume they are

 

Not true about hitting something with a bull bar. I had a Ultimate Bull Bar by Westin that saved me tremendous damage after I T Boned a guy that ran a red light. For the White truck go chrome.

 

This is my Westin Bull Bar after T Boning a car that ran a red. The body guy told me I avoided substantial damage having the bull bar. Just my experience and I was frankly surprised that it did some good. Also a picture of my new Ultimate Bull Bar by Westin in flat black and chrome. I still would consider it cosmetic. For those that don't like the look to each his own.

 

I think the Avid bars are not in the typical "bull bar" category. I have two and they are built far stronger than your off the shelf bull bar. Granted, no two accidents are the same, but the Avid bumper guards will provide a measure of protection.........

 

Nice. I’m glad that it helped in your situation. I usually see pictures like this:

 

Sorry 3rd Gen here...I agree with all the posts here. They are cool AND hideous. They are structurally inconsistent with their marketing and color choices are a compromise.

I still wanted extra lights so went for it anyway but kept it low profile light bar. If you need hooks, I welded up some receiver channels to a standard bar.