Bullbar choices

Hi all!
Iv seen a few of these threads but most are a little dated so hoping to get a little more updated info.
I have a series 3 patrol with an alloy bar and I'm looking at upgrading it to a steel bar. Living in the NT I think it's a smarter choice to have steel.
I don't really want to spend more then $1200.
ARB, opposite lock and TJM are all going from between $1700-$1900 so there out.
I have looked at ironman and I can get one for around $1100. Has anyone else got any ideas? Iv seen a few on eBay, one in particular from WA going for about $800 but obviously there a sort of no name brand.
What are your thoughts?

when you say no name brand do you mean a cheap copy import or a custom fabricated one? If its the latter I would snap it up.

I think it's more of a custom fabricated one..
Heres the link http://m.ebay.com.au/itm/112062711146
What do you think?

It looks a bit like a copy of the ARB deluxe bars, a mate bought something similar for around the same price on ebay and put it on his Prado.
They seem solid enough, and look good too.

The only catch with the one he purchased, was that the vertical height of the barwork was shorter then the ARB.

From memory it was 60mm shorter, which allowed him to only fit 170 light-force spotties, and not the larger 240's. (so they don't protrude from the bar work)

(you'd have to get the dimensions to see if this was the case with the bar your looking at)

Apart from that he's happy with it :)

Ideally you would want one made from 4mm steel,
seeing you're up the Territory.
Use that as a guide eh lol

Personally I'd save the pennies and buy an ARB unit (I think the commercial ones go for around $1300). IMO they are better engineered. When I was looking around, I saw some photos of the Ironman (which I think is Thai made like the MCC), and it used cheep crush cans for the BB mounting. Once they're damaged (crushed), you can throw your bullbar away (http://www.ironman4x4.com/system/res...009-IM.pdfpage 2 of pdf). I've also looked at some of the other cheep Thai built ones and they looked flimsy compared to the arb ones.

The ARB unit has slots, so on impact the bullbar will push back and down avoiding too much damage cooling system? have a look at the pic of my BB
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...id=68273&stc=1

Also the OE steel bull bar is made by ARB something else to think about

EDIT:: Only trouble I have with the OE bullbar is they are very close to the grill
which will limit what style driving light you use.

The bar in that link looks very weak in the cato straps {uprights} if you ask me,
there is nothing to stop it folding back in the case of an animal strike

Hey mate i know its out of your price range but this is what im getting once i get my tax return .http://www.uneek4x4.com.au/gu-patrol...2015-bull-bar/ They are ADR and Airbag compliant and made here in aussie ,and i think there a great looking bar. My therory is it should last the lifetime of my patrol and if i was to have a incedent i would feel much safer knowing i have a adr compiant and a tuff aussie made bar . my 2c worth
Attachment 68278
cheeres caveman

Thanks for all the replies guys!
That one looks great caveman!
Thanks for the info abw, I'd love to go an ARB but the dealer in Alice quoted me $1850 supply only. If I could get one for $1300 it'd be a no brainer!

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one in particular from WA going for about $800 but obviously there a sort of no name brand.
What are your thoughts?

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Mate I have been trying to buy one of these for my rig for about about 6 weeks.
Called the number and spoke to Joe. I asked to look at one. Was told he could show me one next Tuesday. On Tuesday I rang him and he had to go out of town and would call me back. Two days later I called again and he had just discovered he didn't have one for my model (GUIV), but would get one back from his retailer. I rang back the following week and he said that his retailer in WA didn't have one but he had one coming from South Australia. That was two weeks ago and he hasn't rung back and I haven't rung him. Hey Joe, if your read these forums, give me a call mate, I'm not calling you again.
Tony

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Originally Posted by 4bye4

Mate I have been trying to buy one of these for my rig for about about 6 weeks.
Called the number and spoke to Joe. I asked to look at one. Was told he could show me one next Tuesday. On Tuesday I rang him and he had to go out of town and would call me back. Two days later I called again and he had just discovered he didn't have one for my model (GUIV), but would get one back from his retailer. I rang back the following week and he said that his retailer in WA didn't have one but he had one coming from South Australia. That was two weeks ago and he hasn't rung back and I haven't rung him. Hey Joe, if your read these forums, give me a call mate, I'm not calling you again.
Tony

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That sounds sus as fark!!

Definitely sounds suss! I also noted yesterday on his ebay profile he has only (5) feedback, that to me throws warning lights straight off the bat when your selling a fairly expensive item interstate!

I wouldn't do it mate, and I wouldn't buy the Ironman bar either.
If I were you I'd be looking at a second hand ARB bar.

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Originally Posted by Winnie

I wouldn't do it mate, and I wouldn't buy the Ironman bar either.
If I were you I'd be looking at a second hand ARB bar.

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100% agree, either try and pick up a second hand one on g-tree etc or just save that little bit longer and buy one new. You won't regret it.

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Originally Posted by bigguwesty

That sounds sus as fark!!

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Yea mate - I cut the story down a bit but the thing is I wanted to look at one in the flesh before sending money anywhere. I wanted an address to go to but he does not provide one, he just said he would bring one round for mr to look at. If he can't provide an eyeball for me based in Perth, where he is also based, what chance have members in other states got of seeing the product before buying?

Agreed Winnie wouldn't touch the one on eBay know what I know now.
Why wouldn't you buy the ironman?
Here's another one in Brisbane, just wondering if any one had any feedback on...
http://www.aussieoffroadmegastores.c...remium-bullbar

Same bar here on ebay for $999 mate
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Heavy...EAAOSwxp9W9K~M

Thanks caveman, looks quite good and decent quality, what do you guys think?

If you did find a 2nd hand one you like , you could
get it re.powder coated to bring it back to new condition

I'd definitely be looking for a second hand ARB bar. If you have Facebook jump on one of the bigger GU groups & see if anyone is selling one. If you're lucky you'll find one for cheap.

Ok so I think I have narrowed it down to two, possibly a third option.
1. TJM, proven company, looks good and plenty of good reviews. What price do these go for in Melbourne?
2. Powerful 4x4, imo it looks the best, can get one for $1000, and as a bonus comes with the fog lights (not that it's swayed me at all, just a bonus), unsure on the quality and have read some good and not so good reviews.
3. Ironman, seems to be pretty good value for money at $1150, but depends of cost of the TJM and a little more research on the powerful 4x4.

There is no way I can justify the $1900 odd for ARB and getting a second hand one is pretty difficult out here so getting it re sprayed or trying to buy pieces that are missing would just be a nightmare. Ah well that's just how it is when you live four hours out of Alice Springs.

@dpetersen PM me a model number on the TJM bar you like and Ill get a price for you
Powerful are made from chinese steel not a favourite ,,,plus fit and finish could be questionable

Imo the powerful bar should be taken off the table..
A mate had one on his 100 series..
That was untill it tore the guts out of itself winching..
9500 winch too..
Imo go the tjm or Ironman. .

The bloke now has the Ironman. . It's still together

I was told TJM only do the T13 bar now to suit the series 3, PM sent with price.
I think mine is the T13 Outback bar [see pic] I also have TJM Outback side steps.

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Originally Posted by threedogs

I was told TJM only do the T13 bar now to suit the series 3, PM sent with price.
I think mine is the T13 Outback bar [see pic] I also have TJM Outback side steps.

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Nice looking rig TD, hadn't seen pics of your rig yet but looks delicious!

Looks terrific threedogs!
Will have a think about bullbar choices and let you know how I go!

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Originally Posted by dpetersen

Looks terrific threedogs!
Will have a think about bullbar choices and let you know how I go!

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I've sent an email off to Alice and I'm assured of mates rates,
Have got a great price for you PM sent

FYI my T13 bar is made from 4mm folded steel
The T16 with the looped bar in the middle is only 3mm
Well I think its a T16

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Originally Posted by threedogs

I've sent an email off to Alice and I'm assured of mates rates,
Have got a great price for you PM sent

FYI my T13 bar is made from 4mm folded steel
The T16 with the looped bar in the middle is only 3mm
Well I think its a T16

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Your a ledgend threedogs! Just sent you a reply.

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Originally Posted by dpetersen

Your a ledgend threedogs! Just sent you a reply.

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Glad to help contact details sent via PM

So ended up purchasing the TJM T13, can't wait to recieve it and get it on the car.
A special thanks to John (threedogs) for getting me a good deal at TJM in Alice, wouldnt have been able to get it without your help. Thanks again John, really appreciate it!

All good mate glad I could help

EDIT;; NOW TO SEE SOME PICS OF IT FITTED

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...016/08/289.jpghttp://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...016/08/290.jpghttp://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...016/08/291.jpghttp://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...016/08/292.jpg
Received it on Thursday and fitted it on Saturday, pretty happy with how it came up!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by dpetersen

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...016/08/289.jpghttp://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...016/08/290.jpghttp://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...016/08/291.jpghttp://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...016/08/292.jpg
Received it on Thursday and fitted it on Saturday, pretty happy with how it came up!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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looks the goods mate well done to all involved to reach this outcome. Its another win for joining great forums like this :smiley_thumbs_up:
Asking questions getting answers, swapping info ,great results.

looks great,

Yeah looks good. Just need a set of spotties to finish it off.

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May be even a decent light bar fitted hanging down from top bar

I had a set of HIDS on the alloy one but sold them with the bar, just purchased a 40inch light bar and 9inch spotties from 4wd supacentre for less then $400 including wiring loom and delivery to Alice springs so can't complain with that :) light bar will be going on the roof rack. Might then get it lifted two inches and then that should be enough mods to keep me happy! (Even I don't believe myself when I say that lol)