Having recently been in my first collision, which totaled my sprinter carib and broke my foot I am somewhat concerned about crash resiliency. So with my new l300 on the way as we speak I wanted to ask about the structural integrity of the stock front bullbar.
Is it steel? would it stand up to wildlife impact or slow speed <60km/h collision? Could it be fortified? I have definitely considered putting a winch on it so I may consider replacing it anyways but I was just curious about your opinions on the stock set up.
Re: Stock Front Bar
Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 4:24 pm
by bosc
It is steel. Not particularly resilient in my experience. I have bumped in to many things over the years while off road (nothing on road thankfully), and have bent it in and back again a number of times. I'm convinced it is there due to the concerning Australian 1 star crash rating. Perhaps the equivalent of many modern cars adding airbags when they do poorly in crash testing. Cheaper than changing a relatively unsafe design.
I believe it will help, but beyond a minor collision only. I feel like I drive a death trap. This is my only major concern with this wonderfully designed vehicle. I find it very unfortunate that I can't buy a safer version with a similar design.
Re: Stock Front Bar
Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 6:50 pm
by FalcoColumbarius
As much as I like to refer to it as a "Bambie Bar", in reality it's a "bush bar". Think about it. You are travelling at 110 KPH in your two tonne Delica and suddenly appearing directly in front of you is a three thousand pound bull moose. What would be the potential consequences of this engagement?
Rig Burns After Hitting Moose On Hwy 17.
And direct from the Darwin runners up catagory:
Falco.
Re: Stock Front Bar
Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 9:24 pm
by Big-Bird
The stock tube type bull bars offer little to no protection....they are not structurally built to take anything over slow parking lot bumps. The tubes and thin plate steel bend as they are not fully supported on all corners like a true bull-bar.
Stock unit offers some protection to the nose, again for slow speed bumps and the integrated steps protect part of the Deli's cooling system....a few overzealous L300 owners have damaged the steps while offroading and have done significant secondary damage.
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If you are thinking winch mount heres a couple of ideas.
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There at least 2 Alberta fab shops that I have dealt with who can custom fabricate a full plate bumper in place of the stock plastic wrapped unit. (One works with steel, the other with 6061 Aluminum)
Re: Stock Front Bar
Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 9:35 pm
by Big-Bird
here's a tube type that is properly supported...not a winch mount type though.
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Re: Stock Front Bar
Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 10:06 pm
by thedjjack
being a unibody it is really hard to tie a bumper to anything.... L300 by design has no crumple zone so it is never going to do well in a front ender.
Better than a motorcycle.... But if you want front end impact the l300 even with mods is not the truck...
Re: Stock Front Bar
Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 9:34 am
by Lapprentis
Here is another version of the Stock Bull Bar. Not sure if I will keep it or trade is for lower wings traditional one...
I am trying to insert a picture directly but its not working...
