0 comments

Best Bull Bars for Ford Ranger – What’s #1?

Bullbars are a common sight in vehicles used in the off-road scene. They offer protection, mounting points, and serious tough looks complimenting the tough nature of off-road vehicles. Looking for the best bull bars to fit your Ford Ranger?

We’ve compiled and reviewed 5 of the best bull bars that you can buy from Australia to help you pick which one suits you best.

 

Ironman Bullbar

XROX Bull Bar

Piak 3 Loop Bar

Dobinson Classic Black Bull Bar

Rival Bullbar


Our Pick
Ironman Bullbar to Suit Ford Ranger PXII/PXIII/Everest 2015-Onwards
Xrox Bull Bar To Suit Ford Ranger PX Mark II 06/2015 - Onwards
Best for raptor
Piak 3 Loop Bar For Ford Ranger Raptor 09/18 - Onwards
Dobinson Classic Black Bull Bar To Suit Ranger PX - 4x4 & 4x2 10/11 - 09/15
Rival Bullbar For Ford Ranger PX / PXII / PXIII & Everest

PXII, PXIII, Everest 2015-Onwards

PX Mark II 06/2015 - Onwards

Raptor 09/18 - Onwards

PX - 4x4 & 4x2 10/11 - 09/15

PX, PXII, PXIII & Everest

Steel

Steel

Steel

Steel

Alloy

Powder-coated

Powder-coated

Powder-coated

Powder-coated

Powder-coated

12,000 lbs

9,000 lbs

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

80kg

65kg

70kg

120kg

70kg

Best Bull Bar for Ford Ranger Australia

Ironman Bullbar for Ford Ranger PXII/PXIII/Everest 2015-Onwards

Ironman Bullbar to Suit Ford Ranger PXII/PXIII/Everest 2015-Onwards

Our Pick

Pros
  • Tough looking
  • Complete with mounting points - aerial, spotlights
  • Winch compatible up to 12,000 lbs
  • Has built-in indicator lights
  • With built-in recovery points
  • Complete bumper replacement
Cons
  • Heavy

If you’re looking for a bull bar that has the perfect blend of function and looks, the Ironman Deluxe Commercial bull bar is definitely one you should consider.

The tough design and powder-coated finish offer an eye-catching look while the premium-grade steel construction offers protection that extends up to the headlights.

They are complete with mounting points for aerial and spotlight allowing you to personalise your vehicle according to your needs.

Furthermore, they come with indicators and park lights which is a huge plus.

Designed for tough terrain, they’re winch compatible with up to 12,000 lbs and have built-in recovery points.

In saying this, although the recovery points are solid and reliable, it is still generally recommended that you use the originally designated recovery points within the chassis of the vehicle as much as possible.

The Ironman Deluxe Commercial bull bar is designed to fit Ford Ranger 2015 onwards and replaces the entire bumper.

One thing to note, however, is that they weigh 80kg and might require a suspension upgrade depending on the heaviness of your entire setup.

XROX Bull Bar for Ford Ranger PX Mark II 06/2015 - Onwards

Xrox Bull Bar To Suit Ford Ranger PX Mark II 06/2015 - Onwards

Best Value

Pros
  • Very affordable
  • Lightweight
  • Lots of mounting points for different gears
  • Winged design - easy to install and replace when damaged
  • Has zinc undercoat - resists rust and corrosion
  • Cross over tubes construction - built for tough terrain
Cons
  • Design is not very appealing
  • Made to order - takes 7-8 weeks to deliver
  • Lacks headlight protection

If you’re looking for an affordable and simple solution to your Ford Ranger’s protection, the XROX bull bar is a very capable piece of hardware.

It’s made with a high-grade steel tube adding the necessary protection without adding too much weight.

Plus, the overall design gives you better approach angles allowing for maximum clearance on those steep uphills or rock crawling.

Another thing we like about the XROX bull bar is its 3-piece design which allows you to detach and replace any of the 3 pieces in case they’re damaged.

Meaning, they’re easier to set up and you do not have to replace the entire bull bar in case they’re damaged.

They have a total of 9 multifunctional tags for fitting aerials, spotlights, fog lights, etc. giving you lots of options for all the gear you might need.

All that for nearly half the price of high-end bull bars.

However, XROX bull bars are made to order and can take up to 8 weeks to deliver. So if you decide to buy this bull bar sometime in the future, it's best if you can order them in advance.

Piak 3 Loop Bar for Ford Ranger Raptor 09/18 - Onwards

Piak 3 Loop Bar For Ford Ranger Raptor 09/18 - Onwards

Best for Ranger Raptor

Pros
  • Aggressive looking - designed to match the aggressive looks of the Ford Raptor
  • Made of high-grade, low-corrosion steel - designed to absorb impact upon collision without rusting
  • Airbag compatible
  • Has built-in lights - fog lights, indicator lights, and clearance lights
  • Includes triple protection plates
  • Full coverage - includes protection for headlights
  • Compatible with front parking sensors
Cons
  • Expensive

If you own an aggressive-looking Ford Ranger Raptor, then you should definitely consider matching it with an equally-aggressive Piak 3 loop bull bar.

Made with high-strength, low-corrosion steel, this bull bar offers maximum strength and protection not only from collision but also from rust and corrosion.

Aside from its looks and strength, this bull bar is filled with features too.

They’re fitted with fog lights, indicator lights, and clearance lights which means you no longer have to add anything. This will save you quite a bit of money if you were planning on purchasing these!

In saying this, they do have mounts ready for some additional gear like an aerial.

Unlike other bull bars, they’re compatible with front parking sensors allowing you to use all the features of a Ford Ranger Raptor.

Plus, they come with a 3-piece protection plate extending the protection to the underbody of your vehicle.

Despite being on the expensive side, we believe that the quality and features of the Piak bull bars make them worth their price.

Definitely worth getting if you’re a Ford Ranger Raptor owner.

Dobinson Classic Black Bull Bar for Ranger PX - 4x4 & 4x2 10/11 - 09/15

Dobinson Classic Black Bull Bar To Suit Ranger PX - 4x4 & 4x2 10/11 - 09/15

Honourable Mention

Pros
  • CNC cut - made with precise fitment
  • High-grade steel - offers maximum protection
  • Separate winch - attaches to the chassis allowing for more load
  • Has built-in LED indicator and park lights
  • Very affordable
  • Full-coverage protection - includes headlight protection
Cons
  • Boxed design
  • Very heavy - may lower the ride height of the vehicle

If you own an older Ford Ranger, the Dobinson Classic Black Bull Bar fits your vehicle perfectly without any modifications.

Made with structural steel, and constructed with CNC cutting technology, this beast offers a high level of protection with precise fitment.

It has full coverage protection with tubes around the headlight protecting it against impact in cases of collision or rollover while off-roading.

The Dobinsons bullbar, however, is one of the heaviest bull bars we’ve reviewed so far.

According to the manufacturer, the weight of the bullbar may lower the vehicle’s ride height which also lowers ground clearance.

Upgrading the vehicle suspension may be required to handle the weight of the bull bar.

Nevertheless, The Dobinson Classic Black Bull Bar is still a good option to consider if you own a 2011 to 2015 Ford Ranger PX.

Rival Bullbar for Ford Ranger PX / PXII / PXIII & Everest

Rival Bullbar For Ford Ranger PX / PXII / PXIII & Everest

Honourable Mention

Pros
  • Modern and tough look
  • Made of aluminium alloy - does not rust or corrode
  • 6mm thick alloy construction - offers excellent strength without the weight of steel bullbars
  • Winch compatible
Cons
  • No protection for the headlights
  • Hard to fix when damaged

For those who are looking for a bull bar that offers reasonable collision protection and can last a long time without rusting or corroding, the Rival bullbar is an excellent option.

It’s made with 6mm aluminium alloy offering decent protection without the extra weight of a steel bull bar.

Plus, it’s completely free of rust and corrosion meaning that it will last longer than its steel counterpart.

The multi-angle design and curves conforming to the vehicle’s body gives it a good aesthetic.

In fact, we consider this to be one of the most beautiful bull bars we’ve seen so far.

Like all the bullbars we’ve discussed, they’re winch compatible and are fitted with indicator lights for convenience.

However, they do not have any protection for the headlights, plus, they’re harder to fix when damaged making them unsuitable for extreme off-roading.

They are also quite expensive.

Things to Consider When Purchasing a Bull Bar

Weight

You have to consider the weight of your bull bar relative to your suspension.

Heavy bull bars can affect the weight and balance of your vehicle. Plus, they can reduce the vehicle’s ride height.

If you choose a heavy bullbar with lots of add ons, then you most definitely have to also upgrade your suspension which is another added cost.

So keep the overall weight front of mind when making your decision.

Compatibility

In choosing a bull bar that you’ll use for off-roading, you’ll want to get one that’s winch compatible since in all likelihood you will need to winch yourself out of trouble at some point.

A built-in recovery point is also a plus, although it’s not always recommended to use the bull bar recovery point over the chassis recovery point.

Furthermore, you need a bull bar that’s compatible with your vehicle’s technology. Modern vehicles have emergency braking systems and front parking sensors that can be affected by bullbars that aren’t compatible with them.

Mounting Points

Are you planning to have lots of add ons like spotlights, fog lights, aerials, and flags? Then make sure your bull bar is equipped with mounting points.

Also, consider the positioning of those mounting points. Does they expose the LED lights to potential damage in the event of a collision? Or maybe the mounting point of the fog lights means that they can interfere with your view when installed?

Ford Ranger Bull Bar FAQ

How much does a bull bar for a Ford Ranger cost?

Depending on the brand, features, and model, Ford Ranger bull bars cost between $1,300 to $3,000.

What is the purpose of the bullbar?

The bull bar’s main purpose is to protect the vehicle’s front upon collision. However, it is also used as a mounting for different gadgets and accessories like aerials and fog lights.

Conclusion

Bull bars are an excellent upgrade for your Ford Ranger.

If you’re looking for the best for off-roading, our pick is the Ironman bull bar because of its full-coverage protection, decent weight, and high-grade steel construction.

But if this doesn’t suit you, there are a lot of other great options from the list that you can choose from.


This article may contain affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you choose to purchase a product or service after clicking on my link. This helps pay for the cost of running the website. You will not be disadvantaged in any way by using my links.

Note that while every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this page, there may sometimes be errors. Check all specifications with the manufacturer before purchasing any product.

Our Testing Process

In creating this article, we have completed a rigorous review process on the best out there, comparing products in total, and reading hundreds of reviews from fellow campers to help form our opinions.

The primary goal of our research is to help figure which product is right for you, the user. We systematically go through all of the available options on the market to determine which ones are worthy of our list.

Here’s a full list of the options we considered for this article. Please note that we have never accepted free products from manufacturers.

Full List Of Considered Products


This article may contain affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you choose to purchase a product or service after clicking on my link. This helps pay for the cost of running the website. You will not be disadvantaged in any way by using my links.

Note that while every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this page, there may sometimes be errors. Check all specifications with the manufacturer before purchasing any product.

Louis

While Louis does most of his trips near his home in south-east Queensland, he has been camping as far afield as South America and Africa. He loves researching, testing and experimenting with camping gear whenever possible.

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

You may also like
>