Bullbar Ironman

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Was just wondering if anybody has used iron man products (bullbar) and how have they found it compared to a ARB or TJM. ARB are $1800 for winch bar/airbag compatible, TJM round the $1300 but need to spend more on cradle etc to fit up winch at later stage so roughly the same as ARB, Ironman $1000 winch and airbag compatible. All these prices were not including fitting. Replies appreciated on what your dislikes and any points that make the iron man bar better or worse. Thankyou in advance.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Steve I fitted an ironman stainless bar on my 120 series in Feb this year when I picked it up. It was lighter than the ARB by about 40kg and I didn't like the look of any of the alloy bars and the ironman in alloy was not available. The only downside was there was no bash plate between the bottom of the bar and the front Toyota guard which would allow sticks to puncture the radiator, but I made one up out of aluminium I had lying around.

Seems to be a good bar for knocking aside brush etc but it is lightweight compared to a steel ARB or TJM bar so don't go chasing bulls or roos.
I would guess about as robust as an alloy bar.

I have a Team Poly bar on my 90 series and would have fitted one to the 120 if available, these are fabulous for the limited duty off road I do. Out bush might be a different issue though.

On the fitting it cost about $140 I think on top of the $1300 the bar cost.

[Jam Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jam]

Re: Bullbar Ironman

Hi Steve,

From what I have been able to suss out about the ironman bar, it is a copied version of the ARB Sahara bar (with different barwork on top of course) - even the mouldings for the buffers and light surrounds are copied! They are made in Thailand (if that's a factor for you). The biggest potential issue, as rightly mentioned here, seems to be in the mounting system which is a bit light on (I would also be worried about airbag compatibility if your 95 has them).

Whilst any bull bar gives you the psychological benefit, aerial tabs and somewhere to hang the lights, the critical issue is in the mounting system. For what it's worth, I have seen many examples in my time of animal strike / other collision which has pushed a poorly mounted bar up in to the front guards and this causes more damage than the same accident would have without any bull bar at all.

I had a look around on some other aussie 4x4 forums and I found a lot of stories about these bars not mounting up correctly and losing their protective coatings etc. so that might be worth looking into as well.

I think that if you want protection, you might have to take the financial hit and get one of the "three letter" bars...

Hope this helps

Jam.