How Much Does It Cost To Add A Bull Bar?

If you’re serious about 4-wheel driving then you’ll need to consider adding a bull bar to your vehicle. Bull bars are a common sight on off-road cars, but with such a wide variety of bull bars on the market, how do you plan for the costs of installing one?

At Camping Adventures, we know a thing or two about enjoying your time off-road, and a large part of staying safe when 4-wheel driving means you’ll need to have a correctly-fitted bull bar. 

Let’s dive into the costs associated with bull bars and whether having one installed (or doing it yourself) is worth your while!

What Is A Bull Bar, And When Will I Need One?

A quick debrief if you’re unsure - bull bars are strong, protective devices installed over the front of your car. They offer a level of protection for the more fragile parts of your vehicle, such as the headlights and radiator, from potential damage caused by collisions.

Bull bars tend to be made from metal, although plastic versions are available as well. They come in a range of different shapes and styles to suit different models of cars, meaning it’s important to check that the bull bar you are interested in is compatible with your vehicle. Bull bars sometimes have extra features that allow you to easily install products like fog lights, antennae, fishing rods or winches.

Bull bars are a useful addition to your car if you plan on doing any 4-wheel driving with a risk of collisions with animals or thick vegetation. Bull bars can also provide extra protection from light damage caused by other vehicles, but keep in mind bull bars are not appropriate for cars primarily used in city and suburban areas, for reasons we’ll get into later.

What Can Affect The Price Of A Bull Bar?

There is no single type of bull bar, so you won’t find a static price for one either! There are a variety of factors that can influence the price of your bull bar, including what it is made of, its design, how large it is and what kinds of accessories you may want to add to it.

The Bull Bar Material

Bull bars come in three different materials - steel, aluminium and plastic. The weight, density and rarity of the material can all affect how much the bull bar will cost.

• Steel bull bars - This is the premium choice for serious off-road drivers. Steel bull bars are very strong and will protect your car from damage caused by collisions with animals like kangaroos, making them a must-have for driving on Australian country roads. They are easy to repair if you do get into an accident, as any dents in the bar can be beaten back into shape. 

But, because they are so strong and dense, steel bull bars can weigh down your car and may even require a lift in your car’s suspension. This weight can also effect your fuel efficiency, causing you to go through more than you would otherwise. Because they are so rigid, a very hard collision may result in damage to your vehicle’s chassis from the bull bar itself.

Steel bull bars are a good middle-of-the-range option if you’re concerned about price, as they are more expensive than plastic bull bars but cheaper than aluminium ones. Steel bull bars tend to cost between $1300 and $3000 to purchase.

• Aluminium bull bars - These bull bars tend to be lighter than their steel counterparts but are just as durable and strong. This means they shouldn't significantly affect the weight of your car, which makes them a good choice if you will be towing something large and heavy. They look great when polished and looked after, and these bull bars boast an anodised finish that protects them from rust.

The lighter weight of aluminium bull bars makes them more likely to damage your car in a collision, and they’re also not always suitable should you wish to add a winch. Their polished coasting can be hard to restore after damage and will often need a professional touch to look good again.

Aluminium bull bars are the most expensive type you’ll find, beating both steel and plastic bull bars in price. Prices tend to range between $2200 to $4000.

• Plastic bull bars - A lesser-known but still important variation is the plastic bull bar. While their weakness makes them unsuitable for 4-wheel driving in the bush, plastic bull bars are great for use in suburban areas where you may need protection from brush and vegetation. These bull bars are easy to push back into shape when dented and are also a safer option for those around you, as they are less likely to cause serious harm to a pedestrian or cyclist. They are super light so they won’t affect your car’s weight.

Plastic bull bars are not strong enough to prevent damage from large animals and plants. They are not a suitable choice for driving off-road, and drivers should be aware that their ability to ‘pop’ back into shape also makes them prone to popping into the car, damaging it and then returning to its original form.

Plastic bull bars are your cheapest bull bar option, beating both steel and aluminium bull bars to cost around $1500.

The Bull Bar Style

Bull bars come in three main styles, each of which affects the protection they offer your car. As the style becomes more complex, the price goes up!

• Bumper bull bar - this form of bull bar is a single, straight piece of metal that provides very basic protection for your car. It provides support across the front of your car in a single, long area, and is definitely better than nothing! They are less bulky, heavy and obstructive than bull bars, but also don’t protect things like your headlights or front grill from potential damage.

• Single hoop bull bar - these bull bars have an extra loop above the bumper bar that provides some coverage for your radiator in the event of a collision. They aren’t too expensive compared to their triple-loop upgrade, so won’t affect your car’s weight or suspension much. They’re also a more affordable option if you don’t expect to be hitting animals too often.

• Triple hoop bull bar - featuring three extra loops above the bumper bar, triple loop bull bars are ideal for offroad drivers who want to protect their car. The extra loops provide protection for the radiator, headlights and even the hood of your car. They are the most expensive option and do add a bit of extra weight to your car, so keep in mind you may need to alter your suspension, especially if the bar is made from heavy steel, and your car’s usual fuel efficiency may be impacted.

Of course, there are other styles of bull bars, including nudge bars, baja bars, and the bull bars used in driving competitions. However, these are not suitable for 4-wheel driving, so stick to the main three mentioned above for off-road adventuring.

The Size Of Your Bull Bar

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to bull bars, as many bull bars are designed to fit certain types of vehicles. If you need a very large bull bar, be prepared to pay more than someone who may only need a small one.

The use of extra materials to make the bull bar will drive up the price, and larger vehicles will need larger bull bars - consider more affordable materials, like steel over alloy, if you need a very large bull bar. But then, steel can affect the weight of your car, whereas aluminium will not - should you spend money on a cheaper bar, only to then have to improve your car’s suspension? Keep these questions in mind during your search!

The Types Of Accessories You Want To Add

If you want to add extras to your bull bar effectively and safely, you’ll need a bull bar that can accommodate these accessories. Additions like fog lights, winches, extra brackets, antennae and rod holders may not be suitable for certain types of bull bars, and bull bars with the capacity to take on these accessories may be more expensive.

Trying to add accessories to a bull bar that isn’t designed for them can result in damage to your bull bar, your accessories not working properly or even the chance of your extras falling off mid-drive. It’s vital that you think about additions you may want when looking for your base bull bar to avoid these problems further down the track.

Should I Install A Bull Bar Myself?

A little DIY action is often a great way to save some money, and this also applies to bull bars. If you have the know-how, the tools and the time to install your bull bar on your own, then it’s a great way to save a few hundred dollars. 

On the other hand, you may like to sit back and leave the installation to a professional! So, which way should you install your bull bar? Let’s look at the specifics of both.

Installing A Bull Bar Yourself - The Pros And Cons

Your bull bar should come with installation instructions, but it’s important to have some knowledge of cars and mechanical installation. Bull bars are a safety feature, after all, so their implementation shouldn’t be left to a beginner, no matter how clear the instructions are.

Installing your own bull bar will require the use of many different tools, and you might also need the assistance of a second person to help you lift, align and attach the bull bar - remember, very heavy bull bars can weigh up to 100kg.

• Pros - you will save the professional bull bar installation fee, which is usually around $750 - $1,200 depending on the type of bull bar and if any extras are being added at the same time, like sensors or 4WD driving lights. You also don’t need to worry about leaving and collecting your car as an inconvenience, as installing a bull bar can easily be done in your home garage, backyard or driveway.

• Cons - if the bull bar is installed incorrectly, it may fall off mid-drive or even damage your car. Without professional help and tools your bull bar may be lopsided, which not only looks bad but can affect your vehicle's weight distribution. You may also be caught out not knowing about your bull bar’s warranty and the legalities surrounding bull bars in your area.

With the right research beforehand and technical skills, it’s certainly possible to install a bull bar yourself. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also gain a deeper understanding of your bull bar and how it functions as a whole. For more information on installing a bull bar yourself, check out our section on installing bull bars in our 4x4 accessories blog.

Professional Bull Bar Installation - The Pros And Cons

Leaving the installation of your bull bar to the professionals is never a bad thing - peace of mind and a perfect finish are often well worth the price. A trained mechanic can install your bull bar quickly and may even advise you on how to care for it and keep it in good condition after you leave their garage.

• Pros - You know your bull bar is being installed correctly when it’s done by a professional, leading to a safer driving experience for many years to come. Some professional installations will come with a warranty, so if anything goes wrong during the process then you won’t be out of pocket. Expert fitters are used to working with different types of vehicles, so you don’t need to stress over the minute details.

• Cons - The price of installing a bull bar can be more than you expect, depending on its size and weight and the make of your car. If you have spent a lot of money on a good-quality bull bar, then a pricey installation may hit your pocket hard!

Using a trusted business to install your bull bar is the most effective way to guarantee a safe driving experience. Here at Camping Adventures, we offer bull bar installation for Melbourne residents and visitors at our complex - you can trust our qualified technicians to install your bull bar safely and without any damage to your vehicle.

What Other Bull Bar Costs Can I Expect?

Bull bars can create some unexpected savings - and costs -  that you should be aware of before buying one. When browning any range of bull bars, keep these points in mind!

Bull Bars Can Prevent Costly Repairs

While purchasing and installing a bull bar may seem expensive, consider the costs of not installing one and getting into an accident instead. Kangaroos, one of the most common causes of car damage when four-wheel driving, can severely damage your car and sometimes even write it off. 

The average cost to repair a vehicle after a kangaroo collision ranges between $4000 and $5000, and even with insurance, there is often an excess to pay. Protecting your car with a durable bull bar is a necessity if you will be driving where the risk of animal collision is high.

Bull Bars Can Cause Damage To Other Vehicles And People

The reason bull bars aren’t often recommended for cars that drive mostly in the city is that they change the dimensions of your car, making it easy to cause damage after the initial installation. Peak-hour driving, parking and overtaking with a new bull bar can all lead to a higher chance of sideswiping another vehicle.

Bull bars are also more likely to severely harm a pedestrian in a crash - according to VicRoads, fitting a metal bull bar reduces the risk of survival for a hit pedestrian by 50%. The money and stress caused by a bull bar-led accident means you should only install one if you absolutely need it.

A Heavy Bull Bar May Affect Your Car’s Suspension

If your bull bar is very heavy, which usually happens when it’s made from steel, then you may need to lift your car’s suspension to compensate. Depending on the type of vehicle, its condition and how much lift you need, this can cost you between $1500 - $6000!

Kits are available that will allow you to lift your car’s suspension yourself, but knowing how much it needs to lift and also being able to prepare the car and solve any unexpected problems may mean this service is best left to a professional.

The Costs Of Adding A Bull Bar To Your Car

Overall, adding a bull bar to your car will cost at least a few thousand dollars, perhaps more if you enlist professional help and want to dish out for a high-quality bull bar. But if you plan on 4-wheel driving in high-risk areas, then these costs will be offset by the protection gained and the prevention of having to pay for costly repairs after a collision.

If these costs are making you second-guess if you really need a bull bar, we recommend reading our deep dive into the pros and cons of installing a bull bar. And if you’re not sure where to start your search for the perfect bull bar, let us persuade you about the benefits of an Aussie-designed and made TJM bull bar!

Image source:TJM

Discover Quality Bull Bars And Installation Information At Camping Adventures

Installing a bull bar means you’re gearing up for some mighty off-road adventures, and we want to help! Camping Adventures has everything you need to enjoy the 4-wheel driving life, including 4wd camping accessories and extras for your 4x4 offroad vehicle.

We have been providing camping enthusiasts with excellent products and services since 2015. Remember, reach out to us if you have concerns about bull bar installation in Melbourne! Visit us in Clyde North at our showroom for a chat and to browse our products, or reach out online or call 03 9708 2946 to chat with our friendly staff concerning your new bull bar.