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Bull Bar

Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 9:05 am
by zak.salhab
I've read tons of stuff on tires, suspension, lifts, etc.. I have a 2016 Power Wagon Laramie with the front park sense. Has anyone found a bull bar that works with out covering the winch or parking sensors?

Some criteria, I'm not willing to change or move the winch, bumper, or parking sensors and they should all work afterwards. I'm really looking for a bull bar with the holes in all the right places for a 2014+. Any thought? I'm I nuts for even thinking this might exist or be possible?

Re: Bull Bar

Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 1:55 pm
by Powerwagonmark
You may have to custom make one. :run:

Re: Bull Bar

Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 2:00 pm
by olyelr
Ive never really heard of one, but then again I have never looked for one. One could exist, but I doubt it.

You just want one for aesthetics?

Re: Bull Bar

Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 3:40 pm
by TJ02Gopher
I know Lund makes them for a lot of trucks. Might try there.

Re: Bull Bar

Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 4:09 pm
by olyelr
TJ02Gopher wrote:I know Lund makes them for a lot of trucks. Might try there.

Hahaha, I just looked them up. Pretty typical, not much info pertaining to the issues the OP brought up, and of course no pictures of the actual product on a Ram truck. BUT, one of the two reviews was someone with a 2015 power wagon. I think the '15's did not have front bumper sensors, though. I would have to think it cleared the winch, though. Not that bad looking either with the integrated LED strip.

Re: Bull Bar

Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 5:41 pm
by Low_Sky
olyelr wrote:
TJ02Gopher wrote:I know Lund makes them for a lot of trucks. Might try there.

I think the '15's did not have front bumper sensors, though
Correct, no front ParkSense in a 2015.


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Re: Bull Bar

Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 6:06 pm
by 2011TXPowerWagon

Re: Bull Bar

Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 6:43 pm
by DamageWagon
You could just buy mine :lol:
Image


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Re: Bull Bar

Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 11:05 pm
by zak.salhab
DamageWagon wrote:You could just buy mine Image
Image


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I'm also trying to keep my build very understated. Something that fits in wherever it goes. Like an off road ninja! So more of a small bull bar vs a brush guard so when I hit stuff it hits that instead of the bumper.

I use my truck hunting a few times a year and I tended to take my diesel places I shouldn't. Ripped off a few things, bent a few more. So I'm trying to armor this truck and be able to get myself out of stupid.

For example, so far I've done Toyota RT 35's. Magnaflow 19200 cat back, backflip X2 revolver roll up hard tonneau (which is awesome as hell btw), buncha weathertech stuff (mud flaps, floor mats, vent shades), white knuckle sliders, drop in DryFlow airfilter, mopar chrome bug shield, stubby antenna, kick plate protectors, etc.. i.e. nothing overt but building capabilities and adding protection.

If you can see the theme, you won't see a crazy lift. No level kit, I did add timbrens because I pull an 8500lb wet trailer. So I'm looking for a subtle chrome or black bull bar if it'll work.

If that makes sense and was helpful at all...

Re: Bull Bar

Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 11:06 pm
by zak.salhab
DamageWagon wrote:You could just buy mine Image
Image


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I'm also trying to keep my build very understated. Something that fits in wherever it goes. Like an off road ninja! So more of a small bull bar vs a brush guard so when I hit stuff it hits that instead of the bumper.

I use my truck hunting a few times a year and I tended to take my diesel places I shouldn't. Ripped off a few things, bent a few more. So I'm trying to armor this truck and be able to get myself out of stupid.

For example, so far I've done Toyota RT 35's. Magnaflow 19200 cat back, backflip X2 revolver roll up hard tonneau (which is awesome as hell btw), buncha weathertech stuff (mud flaps, floor mats, vent shades), white knuckle sliders, drop in DryFlow airfilter, mopar chrome bug shield, stubby antenna, kick plate protectors, etc.. i.e. nothing overt but building capabilities and adding protection.

If you can see the theme, you won't see a crazy lift. No level kit, I did add timbrens because I pull an 8500lb wet trailer. So I'm looking for a subtle chrome or black bull bar if it'll work.

If that makes sense and was helpful at all...

Re: Bull Bar

Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 11:10 pm
by zak.salhab
Do you know what bull bar that is? It doesn't say i the build thread...

Bull Bar

Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 11:14 pm
by Low_Sky
I think you're going to have a hard time finding a functional bull bar. Most of them are a cool looking light mount. I'd probably just put that money into the "replacement bumper" fund.


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Re: Bull Bar

Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 11:17 pm
by 2011TXPowerWagon
No i couldnt see a manufacturer either. Maybe jump on the forum and ask. I know its an old thread but might be worth it if that's the style your'e looking at.

Re: Bull Bar

Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 11:43 pm
by DamageWagon
Do you want functional, or do you want to not stand out? The ones that are more subdued tent to be useless. The factory bumper provides more protection. I love and hate my ranch hand bumper. On one hand, nobody cuts me off in traffic and it has taken some hits off-road that I'm very glad it was there for. I also love that it protects my lights and the whole front clip, and that it leaves the winch in the factory spot. I don't like how heavy it is, how much it sticks out the front, and how much approach angle it takes away.

Depending on your budget there is the new Thuren bumper for the PW's or a Patton Fab/Mercenary/ADD tube bumper. You can go the AEV route, but frankly that is a stupidly designed bumper that looks beautiful but fails to address ANY of the problems with the factory bumper. But it looks cool, so... Yeah.


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Re: Bull Bar

Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 6:54 am
by Easttnrhino
Not really a bull bar but have you seen this.

Re: Bull Bar

Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 6:58 am
by Will
Factory bumpers are cheap, just run it as is, if you hit something, replace the skin. That's what I do. $400 and 20 minutes. Haha

Re: Bull Bar

Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 8:01 am
by zak.salhab
Will wrote:Factory bumpers are cheap, just run it as is, if you hit something, replace the skin. That's what I do. $400 and 20 minutes. Haha
I think that's exactly what I'll do for now. I for sure want functional (same reason I went White Knuckle rock sliders for my "steps"). I'll keep my eye out but sounds like I should hold off. Thanks everyone!!

Re: Bull Bar

Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 8:04 am
by zak.salhab
Will wrote:Factory bumpers are cheap, just run it as is, if you hit something, replace the skin. That's what I do. $400 and 20 minutes. Haha
I think that's exactly what I'll do for now. I for sure want functional (same reason I went White Knuckle rock sliders for my "steps"). I'll keep my eye out but sounds like I should hold off. Thanks everyone!!

Re: Bull Bar

Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 10:57 am
by OffroadTreks
zak.salhab wrote: I think that's exactly what I'll do for now. I for sure want functional (same reason I went White Knuckle rock sliders for my "steps"). I'll keep my eye out but sounds like I should hold off. Thanks everyone!!

Bull bars ruin your approach angle and offer zero protection and ZERO FUNCTION. I just posted to you in another thread how they usually attach. You can rip on off the front of your truck very easily. They're for posers. See below, this is the Lund mounting plates.
MikeKey wrote:
zak.salhab wrote: Ah, I gotcha. I wonder if a bull bar or brush guard would suffice if it was strong enough and attached to the frame.
Nope. Both of the things you listed tend to mount to the lower radiator support or worse. They usually tend to be incredibly weak. Very few guards are actually structurally sound. Those are usually the expensive ones. Most are for appearance only and mount with two tabs:
Image

Re: Bull Bar

Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 11:40 am
by olyelr
I have always had the same thoughts about them as MikeKey stated. Just for looks. Flimsy.... typically will get more damage with them installed then without.

But, the picture of that one above doesnt hinder approach angle one bit, and functions as a light mount.

Re: Bull Bar

Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 10:40 pm
by TankerZak
olyelr wrote:I have always had the same thoughts about them as MikeKey stated. Just for looks. Flimsy.... typically will get more damage with them installed then without.

But, the picture of that one above doesnt hinder approach angle one bit, and functions as a light mount.
Thanks guys. Last thing I want is poser useless stuff that'll cause more damage. On my last truck, a 2011 Duramax LTZ I had a step bent up into the rocker panel. So I'm trying to do it the right way and not tank mpg, etc., or be over the top.

Re: Bull Bar

Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 10:55 pm
by TankerZak
olyelr wrote:I have always had the same thoughts about them as MikeKey stated. Just for looks. Flimsy.... typically will get more damage with them installed then without.

But, the picture of that one above doesnt hinder approach angle one bit, and functions as a light mount.
Thanks guys. Last thing I want is poser useless stuff that'll cause more damage. On my last truck, a 2011 Duramax LTZ I had a step bent up into the rocker panel. So I'm trying to do it the right way and not tank mpg, etc., or be over the top for my use case.

Re: Bull Bar

Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 10:56 pm
by TankerZak
olyelr wrote:I have always had the same thoughts about them as MikeKey stated. Just for looks. Flimsy.... typically will get more damage with them installed then without.

But, the picture of that one above doesnt hinder approach angle one bit, and functions as a light mount.
Thanks guys. Last thing I want is poser useless stuff that'll cause more damage. On my last truck, a 2011 Duramax LTZ I had a step bent up into the rocker panel. So I'm trying to do it the right way and not tank mpg, etc., or be over the top for my use case.

Re: Bull Bar

Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 11:00 pm
by stamm20
Yeah bull bars are pretty useless a few years ago I watched a jeep snatch on off the front of a Silverado when trying to pull him out [FACE WITH TEARS OF JOY][FACE WITH TEARS OF JOY][FACE WITH TEARS OF JOY][FACE WITH TEARS OF JOY]

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Re: Bull Bar

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2016 3:09 pm
by BossWagon13
Very functional not impeding winch abilities and actually saved bumper on a side extraction. Luverne cheap and easily replaceable if needed.