bull bar question

[rmac]

I own a ML GLX single cab.

I want to get a front protection bar and install front wheel flares.

Of course ultimately I'm after a nice fit with the flares meeting the protection bar neatly.

My local 4WD shop explained that as far as they knew this was difficult to achieve. They said that front protection bars designed for non flared vehicles don't meet the flares neatly with the flares going wider than the bar.

I would of assumed that I could install a bar designed for a vehicle with flares but they didn't seem to think so.

Can anyone provide me with some bull bar / after market wheel flare combos that have worked for them?

I would prefer to replace the bumper bar rather than do a bumper cut.

I was also after some opinions on a smart bar?

Thanks

Dave

[4WD Supplies]

I have the TJM bar and avenger flares and they all fit nicely.

[Earlyninja]

probably will have to do a bumper cut at some stage. the front bumper includes the front grill section between the headlight. So if you don't do any cutting...

Fit some flares on then go back to the shop? They'll hopefully be more helpful.

[al coholic]

You have to cut the bumper on Triton to fit a bullbar.......doesnt work otherwise. Just get a bullbar designed for the flared vehicles. I have a GLX DC Cab chassis.....got the TJM T15 bar and TJM aftermarket flares on the front.......too easy

[mattz]

As the others have said you WILL have to cut the bumper(I don't know of any bullbars you won't have to do it for)
Fit the flares and then order a bullbar for a glx-r.....this model has the flares from the factory.

[Snooozy]

Mines a GLX with ARB Commercial bar fitted with Avenger flares
Avenger Flares click here

[danielpurcell]

I was looking at the smart bar option too. In the end I found a slightly used OEM bullbar on eBay (should be here tomorrow) which I figure will either suit me fine or will suit me well enough for now, and at least it is relatively cheap at around 1/3rd the cost of a new bar.

I like the ARB bar for features and strength but I wasn't happy with the way it didn't fit the shape of the triton, more like here's our standard bar, make your truck fit our bar not the other way round.

I don't know how good, bad or otherwise the OEM bar will be as yet. I'll post my thoughts on it when i've fitted it up.

DP

[dan.batto]

I like the ARB bar for features and strength but I wasn't happy with the way it didn't fit the shape of the triton, more like here's our standard bar, make your truck fit our bar not the other way round.


DP

It would be nice if they did that, problem being, Mitsubishi decided to
Make the front end ( at least on the ml) all one piece, including between headlights, so therefore making it damn hard for others to design a bullbar without cutting it,
Sucks I know!!! And it hurts to cut - ask rats he witnessed it

[TUFF TROOP]

Don't get a smart bar !

Ive fitted arb tjm and smart bars and genuine. I have arb and wouldn't go any other due to quality etc .. Very well made

[kevin]

Don't get a smart bar !

Why not? (I too have been interested in them)

[Snooozy]

If you are thinking of fitting one bar now & changing it over in the future for a different style/brand be careful & make sure the front bar cutting is the same or you may find yourself having to buy a whole new front as well.

[rmac]

Very helpful so far guys thanks.

Why not a smart bar. They are everywhere in north QLD???

Dave

[daryn]

Where and how do you plan to drive your ML ?

A bush bull bar is different than a road bull bar, you need to tell us more for better input of what people have done and why.

[rmac]

Fair point Daryn,

I live on the Central Coast and my off roading is limited to a few fishing trips each year.

These off road trails are fairly tame and done at very low speeds.

Other than this I do a lot of country driving towing a boat and have very nearly hit wallabies many times.

On paper the positives re the smart bar are the light weight (particularly for a single cab) and in a car crash I might be less likely to damage the chassis of my truck.

Thanks

Dave

[Lanceuppercut]

Okay want one of these xrox bars I have the Mitsubishi bullbar on now and cause my bumper cut already worried about the match up the front look alright just manly the wheel flares are cut a lot higher than thevfron bumper what opions do I have

[NowForThe5th]

Lance, why don't you drop a PM to borngeek and ask him (very nicely because he can be a cranky bugger especially early in the morning) if he'll measure the cut on his bar for the XRox. I'm sure he'll be happy to help and then you can compare measurements against yours.

[Cowboy Dave]

Not as good as measuring but have a look at this pic which gives you a better angle to look at and might help you guesstimate it

[fridgie]

Here's mine from an arb install...don't know if its any help to you. Cut is approx 20mm below the top of the numberplate recess.

[viking shippy]

Here is what happens if you don't cut back the bumper enough. A nice fit on the guards but when the body flexes the guards pop of from the mounts.the body to chassis flexes up to 25 mm checking in corner from chassis flex and no clearance on bumper







Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Lanceuppercut]

what do use think of this one
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mitsubish-Tr ... 2318ac4764

and a ml bullbar fitt a mn ?

[fridgie]

I believe there are some issues with an ml bar fitting an mn, something about the actual shape of the front bumper being a little different??

[Cowboy Dave]

Yeah but the bar linked to says it suits both so I suppose it's possible.

The everest bar looks a lot like the ironman protector but cheaper. I've been looking at that ebay listing over and over for a week or two trying to decide whether to take the risk. The price is certainly attractive.

[Lanceuppercut]

i emailed them and the everest will only fitt ml not mn

[nickknock]

Did anyone end up buying an Everest bull bar? There's some for sale on ebay, look quite good. 5 - 6 week wait though, and only $900...

[Brent1]

I like the look of the xrox bar but my reasoning for needing one is Kangaroos so am thinking the lack of upper loops protecting the headlights and bonnet will mean it won't suit my needs. I'm starting to think after looking at the website that the more I look at the tuff bars the more I'm starting to like them. Does anyone have one?