Bull Bar options?

[EagleChief]

So, my wife pointed out a Ram the other day that had a bull bar on it and said she liked the way it looked. Surprised me!!! So, that got me thinking... should I look for a chrome or black one? I have a '14 Granite Crystal Big Horn. All of my accents are already chrome (bumpers, grill, steps, sport wheels, door handles, etc.).

I just wonder if a chrome bull bar would fit in ok, or if it would be too much. And, if I went with a black one, how bad would that stand out against all of the chrome? Where's a good place to look for one? Also, since I have the factory tow hooks, does the bull bar interfere with them? I attached a pic of a chrome one mounted to truck with a similar look to mine, just couldn't find one that showed a black bar mounted.

 

[EagleChief]

So, found a truck similar to mine with a black one on Google...

I think I like the chrome better. Now, where to get one? And, does it really matter if it's a heavy duty type, or would it be ok if it's just for looks and a spot to mount a light bar? I don't see where a more expensive (4300-$400) one would be that much better than one priced at $175-$250.

 

[Ox69]

As far as I know w/ a bull bar you have to remove the tow hooks. But I'm sure there is a way to do both.

 

[Ox69]

I think the chrome one may be better w/ the bumpers,grill etc.. I paid around 300$ for mine.

 

[Lone_Wolf]

i would get a stainless 1

 

[twenty14hemisphere]

I went with a smittybilt bull bar. Got mine in black but my tuck is black. In your case I would definitely go with chrome or stainless. As far as the tow hooks, I remember the shop guy saying something about there were two ways to mount it, maybe one with and one witthout the tow hooks? Mine doesn't have them. I will ask them tomorrow when I go in to get my level installed.

 

[14MDRam]

I've been thinking about a bull bar as well. I think having the chrome bumper etc that chrome is the way to go. The black doesn't really fit IMO.

 

[EagleChief]

As far as I know w/ a bull bar you have to remove the tow hooks. But I'm sure there is a way to do both.

That's what I'm afraid of. I don't want to get rid of the tow hooks. Hopefully I can find one that will let me keep them.

 

[EagleChief]

I went with a smittybilt bull bar. Got mine in black but my tuck is black. In your case I would definitely go with chrome or stainless. As far as the tow hooks, I remember the shop guy saying something about there were two ways to mount it, maybe one with and one witthout the tow hooks? Mine doesn't have them. I will ask them tomorrow when I go in to get my level installed.

Yea, I think I definitely want to go with the stainless. Most of them have a lifetime warranty, which is nice. If you wouldn't mind asking, I'm curious if I can mount one and keep my tow hooks.

 

[Searay245se]

Go Chrome.

 

[GlOcKnRaM]

You don't have to remove the tow hooks with a Smitybilt brand, that I'm sure of! I ran one on my old outdoorsman with tow hooks and you can still get to them. Now I'm running another one on my current truck.

 

[EagleChief]

Go Chrome.

That looks good. Only thing I'm seeing there, is not being able to use your tow hooks, if you have them.

I think I'll need one a little bit more narrow so I can still have access to them.

 

[arod412]

Question...don't you have to cut into the plastic air dam below the front bumper to install it?

Truck name: Rampage
2012 Dodge ram 1500 Quad Cab Big Horn 4x4

*Bilstein 2.8" front
*Bilstein shocks on rear with 1" spacer
*Pioneer AVH 4300DVD head unit
*Polk Audio Dxi350 dash speakers
*Kicker 40CSS654 6 1/2" door speakers (x4)
*fox box 2-12" speakers holder for rear seats
*2-12" alpine subs (swe -1243l
*500 watt alpine mono sub
*LED 3rd tail light smoked
*Spyder LED smokes tail lights
havent even started on the engine..lol

 

[Searay245se]

That looks good. Only thing I'm seeing there, is not being able to use your tow hooks, if you have them.

I think I'll need one a little bit more narrow so I can still have access to them.

Mine did not have tow hooks on it so not sure about that and yes you HAVE to cut into the lower plastic air dam.

 

[EagleChief]

Question...don't you have to cut into the plastic air dam below the front bumper to install it?

From what I've seen, yes. But, I'm guessing it's only 2 cutouts roughly where the bar attaches to the frame.

 

[GlOcKnRaM]

Or take it off like I did

 

[coldstream]

I went with a Westin Off Road light bar instead of a bull bar. They offer it in chrome as well as the black that I purchased. Added a couple of Harbor Freight $30 100W spots and a couple of 8" LED light bars. I can really see well on these country roads now!

 

[Big Blue Hemi]

I went with a Westin Off Road light bar instead of a bull bar. They offer it in chrome as well as the black that I purchased. Added a couple of Harbor Freight $30 100W spots and a couple of 8" LED light bars. I can really see well on these country roads now!

I like that. Never seen it before. Not overly massive but wide.....

 

[EagleChief]

I went with a Westin Off Road light bar instead of a bull bar. They offer it in chrome as well as the black that I purchased. Added a couple of Harbor Freight $30 100W spots and a couple of 8" LED light bars. I can really see well on these country roads now!

Looks good. That a great idea to mount some extra lights. My only issue is I have tow hooks and that looks like it mounts in the same spot as the hooks.

 

[coldstream]

Eagle, the instructions for this light bar state that it can be installed with the tow hooks. Here's the link for the instructions: http://http://westinautomotive.com/Off-Road-Light-Bar

I've never inserted a link, did that work?