D40 Bullbar Opinion

[markcamilleri]

Hi All,

Just looking for some advice on what type of Bullbar is the better option, Steel vs Alloy?

Got a D40 and need a bull bar, been quoted between $1900 for a steel and $2300 alloy supplied & fitted. I live in Adelaide, so if anyone has any ideas or opinions, please let me know.

Cheers

 

[KraftyPg]

Welcome to the forums

There is already threads on this topic, at the end of the day it comes down to what you want to do with it.

Both will bend when they are hit.
Some will tell you steel provides more protection and while there is a little bit of truth in that I'd never stake much on it because steel bends and it often bends and causes more damage to panels than alloy.
Steels is heavier and may be a consideration
Alloy is lighter and adding things like a winch aren't as easy

Your biggest concern is that you need to make sure the D40 has either had it's recall or was made after mid 10 when the recalls were fixed other wise you need to get that recall done to add a bar. And also make sure you know which model you are buying the bar for because STX's require different bars to the ST's and RX's despite all having the D40 badge.

 

[BravoBrad]

Alloy bars wrap around the enging block much better than the steel ones. They make for a great feature wall behind your bbq after you have a big hit.

Having said that alloy is lighter.

I have found on a couple of previous vehicles, that the heavier weight of the steel actually made the vehicles feel "better" on the road.

If your planning on a winch, get the steel
If you want to drive roo country get the steel
If you want to only mount the lights etc, get the alloy.

 

[joe2006]

And if you want an ugly one that will spring back into shape after a hit but leave all the panels bent behind it...
- Get a plastic one

 

[Old.Tony]

Welcome to the forum.

I can't argue with the previous posters.

Look at what you're doing with it. For lots of outback driving I'd get the steel bar - that's what we did.

If you're spending your 4x4 time on sand, the alloy bar would allow you to have a lighter front end (by 50kg or so). It isn't much but it all helps. You can mount a winch with an alloy bar but you need to have a very strong (steel) frame built in behind it.

If you want to do off-road (tracks, mud) then I'd probably go the steel bar just due to its strength. Alloy bars are significantly softer. While you are able to use a hi-lift jack on a properly equipped steel bullbar, there's no way you'd do that on an alloy bar.

 

[Aussie Frontier]

The way it was explained to me is
Alloy bar is sacrificial as in hit anything it will absorb most of the impact and possible avoid heavy damage to your vehicle
Steel bar stronger but heavier however in some situations it will transfer the stress of the impact to your chassis and could do more damage .
At the end of the day its personal opinion and what you plan to use it for.

 

[WarD40]

I will be getting the Alloy ECB bar from opposite lock in a couple of weeks, the reason i went with the alloy is that:
a: Lighter than steel
b: i drive alot in Roo infested areas and at 100km/h either bar is gonna get seriously messed up which insurance will fix anyway.
c: i think it looks nice having polished alloy, a little more work to keep it that way but i like my nav
d: most importantly the handbrake likes the way it looks aswell