Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

Hello All,

As sub says; do I really need to replace the standard with a steel bullbar (ARB/TJM etc.). Car already has a descent approach/departure angle. I am trying to keep the vehicle as standard as possible and avoid any complications that may occur due to loading up of vehicle with these accessories.

BB's are heavy (may be over 70kg's), this add's up a lot of weight in the front. Which means I may have to upgrade the suspension as well.

I am not into 4X4 sports. So I will only using my Patrol for overloading purposes (Traveling in Africa).

Thanks in advance.

Rahul,

No need for a aftermarket bulbar, but dit does have some advantages.

it does provide you with high-lift jacking points at the front of your vehicle,

and a more solid platform for the mounting of a winch.

to name two that is major form me when doing over-landing.

Also it does make your patrol look more intimidating!

As Philip said, there is no need to fit a replacement bumper/bull bar. There are people that can even fit a winch behind the standard bumper, if I'm not mistaken.

It's your Patrol, you do with it as you please.

Of course it is. What do you put your beer on otherwise while enjoying the view at the top of a hill?

Its probably not necessary, but, we had an issue with a taxi the other day on the open road, which could very well have left us stranded on the side of the road if were not for the bullbar. The bullbar took a hell of a hit!
Imagine that happens 2000kms from home without a bullbar?

I guess, like all things, its a nice to have. Probably not necessary though.

SCUBA Patrol wrote: ↑13 Mar 2018 09:00
Also it does make your patrol look more intimidating!

True dat

For over landing I would think a bull bar is necessary from a safety point of view, ie unexpected meetings with taxi's, cattle etc.
Also for the reasons already mentioned re lifting points.

I have seen on a forum where a road traveled, I think it was on Hunters Road in Botswana, was so muddy that they went through the veld next to the road, with smallish trees and bushes in the way. The vehicles with bull bars easily pushed the trees/bushes over, something I would struggle to do without a bull bar....

In the end it comes down to preference and I would prefer to have one.

Stefan wrote: ↑13 Mar 2018 09:12 There are people that can even fit a winch behind the standard bumper, if I'm not mistaken.

Thanks Stephan..Will keep this in mind.

ra_01 wrote: ↑13 Mar 2018 10:16

Stefan wrote: ↑13 Mar 2018 09:12 There are people that can even fit a winch behind the standard bumper, if I'm not mistaken.

Thanks Stephan..Will keep this in mind.

Before I fitted the BZT front bumper, I had a winch behind the standard bumper, with a winch plate. I'm not sure where the winch plate is now...

I think I gave it to David with the plan to have it reverse engineered by Mr Connan. But that was loong ago... Anyways, there are probably a few floating around somewhere...

If weight is your biggest concern, then if I remember correctly one of our Cape members had an Alu bulbar fitted. Better than standard and lighter than steel bull bar...

The steel bar protect your cooling system and your lights two things you cant come home without ...if you hit a donkey or a warthog or something with a bar you can make a plan getting radiators ect in the bush is a problem