Bull bar concern

I recently purchased a new 2019 4Runner. I was looking forward to putting on a bull bar but everyone I look at indicates that a bull bar will interfere with my front sensors. Is anyone familiar with this issue and if so is there a fix?

 

Not sure on the sensor but the bull bar does serve as a damage multiplayer.. if you bump something it folds up and causes more damage than protection

 

Hmmm, I never thought of that, no one has ever mentioned that. Thanks for the input.

 

If you want something similar that does help protect and can even hold a winch then check out a streamline at sos concepts

 

As Scott mentioned, there are several low profile bumpers with bull bars that attach to the frame and generally include a winch mount option.

Also, I think the sensors you're concerned about are new for the 2020 model year. It should not be a concern for the 2019.

I'm sure someone here can correct me if I'm wrong.

Also, welcome to the forum!

 

Our streamline without the hoop will not interfere with the TSS sensor. With hoop it may have interference issues. It allows space for a winch mount, recovery points, and light bar. The TSS sensors make it really hard to allow for anything in front of them or for bumper replacements. The one pictured is in Aluminum so it saves some weight.

 

TSS is not out to year 20. Never pulled my bumper do 19s have something different?

 

The one thing everyone on this site can agree on is that bull bars are lame.

 

Had an arb on my Wrangler. Lady on a cell phone missed her exit on the highway and slamed her SUV into reverse. I took out the entire rear end as she backed into me while my brakes were locked. Cop showed up and asked where the second vehicle was. Bull bar had a tiny scratch on it and her explorer had 8k damage. I didn't think it was lame.
My insurance called me demanding to see the Jeep, said no way I had no damages. I got there and they couldn't believe it

 

ARB isn't the bull bar being described. I took the post to mean like one of those shit ass Westins or similar.

 

The OP of this post said he was looking forward to getting one. I think that's awesome. We all like to do different things to our trucks. We all like different mods. And on the forum... we all like seeing what everyone else does to their trucks. I sure do enjoy it! Variety makes it fun.

If someone likes something, more power to them. But I agree on certain bull bars being potential damage multipliers.

On a related note... I've seen countless posts about vehicles being rear ended and the trailer hitch receiver absorbing ALL the shock. It transfers that energy to the frame (to which the hitch is mounted). And the frame ends up bending.

I don't know how bull bars are mounted, but if they're tied into the frame, I can see a similar thing happening in a collision.

Hey, OP-- welcome to the forum! I hope you stick around for the long haul. The more, the merrier!

 

Fair enough.

OP, everyone here really likes bull bars. They are super cool, and only super cool dudes install them. They are really functional and they increase both resale value and sexual virility.

Get the chrome one for extra distinction.

 

Sorry I misspoke about the TSS. He has a limited and they have front and rear park assist. So that could be what he is referencing for interfering with.

 

I think they look terrible. Just my opinion

 

When my 2017 4 Runner was stolen, it was recovered with 15,000 damage. The SSO bumper took a hit, but only sustained some scratches. It did not fold back into anything, and it protected the front from some damage.

I personally like the way the bumper and bull bar look. Gives some beef to the cheap plastic look of the factory front.

 

If you like bull bars get a bull bar. If you like skinny jeans get some skinny jeans. If you like wearing porthole mesh practice football jerseys with no undershirt while sporting a Freddy Mercury mustache at the gym then you're weird....but bottom line you do you regardless of who thinks you're weird...and if you need any practice football jerseys let me know. I can cut you a deal if you buy 10 or more.

 

Agreed, nothing ARB makes seems to be lame

 

Man, I'm sure glad I found this site! I thought that I was the only one to have an opinion about anything, hahaha!!!
But seriously thanks for the input. It made my decision so much simpler, not!! But did give me some things to think about.
But so far I love the 4Runner and look forward to more interaction.
I'll have to get used to that LAME thang though.

 

I don't know much about bolt on bull bars, but good luck in your search. From what I've read, there are two concerns with replacement bumpers, of which there are many variants: (1) airbag sensors, (2) proximity sensors. The first is, of course, a major concern and the second less so. I understand that ARB bumpers fully support the factory airbag sensors and system; other bumper manufacturers less so (or not at all). Not sure if a bolt on system has similar effects, but worth investigating.

And I've found that 4R owners are sligthly opinionated, and not at all feisty. Stick around.

 

For sure Toffees, I am pretty thick skinned (prior occupational hazard). I aims to learn.

 

I'm currently in market for a front steel bumper and winch (no bull bar). I only want to cut the silver plastic on the front. What are your/everyones recommendations? I'm not on a budget, I want a quality bumper/winch combo. Thanks in advance.

-2016 TP KDSS

 

I have a Southern Style Offroad Slimline bumper (see photo above) that can be had with or without the bull bar. This bumper will accept most any 10,000 winch and only requires the cutting of the plastic bubble in the front. Mine is mounted with a 10,000 Smittybilt 20x winch with syn. line.

 

That looks nice. I like the lines in the front.

 

SOS CONCEPTS!

 

another old thread from the dead.

I brought this topic up because I'm trying to find answers about the cheap bull bar, not the ARB or Steel/Winch bumper because I am not ready to hack/chop my 4Runner and add expensive mods. I do have some plans down the road for better off roading mods, but not at this moment.

I live in Los Angeles, a lot of idiots driving around here. I had a cheap bull bar on my 04 Tacoma when someone reversed into me while adding gas in a station. Some rusted old bucket backed up into my truck and used my truck as a bump stop. I was furious at the guy and he acted dumb and stupid like nothing happened. For sure he felt that he bumped into me since my truck shook while I'm adding gas in it. I know our trucks are meant to be damaged while off roading, but not caused by other idiots backing into my stuff. I made it simple since no visible damage done on my truck I let the guy go with no insurance claims whatsoever. If i didn't have the bull bar, it would have been a different story with a scratched/dented front bumper and sue the guy for damage claims.

With that in mind, I did add a cheap bull bar on the 4Runner, a flat black Armordillo from Amazon. I got it for $88.00 for an open box item, $97.00 with Taxes. Made in Texas previously, but today I think made in China.

Pro: Protect the front bumper for minor bumps and scratches from the idiots of Los Angeles. I have a tow hitch/D-ring Shackle too on the rear.
Good for adding lights. (updated)
Macho points because it makes the truck look bigger, to compensate for the other small things in life (update)

Cons: 1) Blocks front licence plate
2) Decreases approach angle
3) Covers my hidden Rigid light bar
4) Annoying to install
5) Makes the front end recovery point harder to get to
6) Ugly

Anything else I missed? Would like to get some honest opinions.

I don't off road everyday and I don't encounter deer or cows on a daily basis. Just the occasional hippie and drunk straggling along the roads.

 

It does not protect you from anything. I'm sorry you wasted your money on it, but if you hit anything at all with this bull bar you will do more damage to your front end than if you hit anything without it. These bars will bend backwards upon impact and potentially destroy your whole front end. Return it.....seriously.

 

Thanks for the input, unfortunately I can't return the thing anymore. I had mixed feelings about it. I probably should have done more research about it. I guess you had prior experience with the situation? A quick google search of Bull bar damages shows what happens, even with full metal bumpers.

More forum reading and I find the same complaints that these cheap bars are just headaches. I guess their coming off then. I'm surprised that these type of bars are still manufactured even though it has a very small positive result and a false sense of security.

 

Makes a good light bar?Get the clamps off of Amazon. You will be the brightest cat in town?