BULLBAR CRASH TEST - How strong are they? PLUS How a bullbar is made!

See how bull bars are made, tested and strengthened! Shauno's gone down to the TJM factory in Brisbane and has seen the whole process from start to finish. You won't believe how much engineering and testing goes into making a steel bull bar compatible with airbags and modern sensors like lane assistance, emergency braking and parking distance control.
See the difference between a bull bar vs no bull bar in a kangaroo crash test, and exactly how strong a well made bull bar with RATED recovery points is.
TJM make a huge range of accessories for most modern 4WDs, look at the range: www.tjm.com.au/

[@outdoors5352]

6:02 "This is not a real kangaroo" Could have fooled me!

[@ladypeiandtheclown5410]

Looks pretty real to me too🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@QuarkCharmed]

I don't believe them, I still think it was a real roo!

[@wainbanfield6775]

Shocking that they would so cruelly chain a live kangaroo to one spot and then run it down with a 4x4. Why haven't they been arrested?

[@ladypeiandtheclown5410]

@@wainbanfield6775 wait til PETA gets ahold of this

[@yawangle90]

mini T-rex

[@andrewmacfarlane9448]

In Sweden - Moose Test to see how well a car can swerve wildlife. In Australia - Bar Test to see how well we can plow through wildlife.

[@Candesce]

To be fair, if you hit a moose head on you're not going to be very happy about it no matter what you're equipped with.

[@locobogan9588]

Lol That’s how we roll Andrew 😂

[@scod3908]

Never swerve for wildlife, quick way to end up rolling into a ditch/tree. Main design intention is to protect the radiator and drivetrain so you’re not stranded in a remote area.

[@Candesce]

@@scod3908 Yes, but not when you're about to hit a moose. A moose will go straight through your windshield :)

[@scod3908]

@@Candesce how many people successfully swerve around a moose in real world conditions?

[@barrymackay760]

Almost had me convinced until TJM’s “professional engineers” used a 10 year old Hyundai Excel as a comparator! Surely a better comparator would have been a 4x4 without one of their bars. Love to see the manufacturer undertake ANCAP standard tests on a 4x4 with the bull bar on it so we know what impact the bull bar has on the crash performance of the vehicle.

[@72superlead]

I stopped watching at TJM involvement

[@300mods]

might be too expensive

[@petebruce890]

BHP used to fit all of their Hilux utes with bullbars & roll bars ....until they did in depth testing at a Crash Lab facility with crash test dummies in the vehicles. The results showed overwhelmingly that the passengers within the vehicle were much safer WITHOUT the bullbar. Have any bullbar manufacturers done similar tests ? If so , where's the results ? If not ? Why not ? Remember, vehicle damage runs a distant 2nd to passenger safety.

[@trickster8635]

Unless the vehicle is immobilized in a very remote area and cannot continue to drive. Then the people in the vehicle ARE at risk. Most recent incident would be the example of the woman who perished out near Level Post Bay, due to the car unable to be driven out of the bog. After all, the humble bull-bar started it's genesis in the outback, where those country people knew they had to protect the vehicles' cooling system to ensure drivability. Crunched panels and even crunched people can continue on for help. That, is the immediate role of the bull-bar.

[@destinyxu7913]

the bull bar are not designed for people can safely crash into other vehicles or trees, it’s mainly design for keep you vehicle operate after hit a roo, so maybe driver a bit more safely.

[@JacopoSkydweller]

The only independent study done on heavy duty bumpers (that I know of) was by a mining company, wondering why so many of their "light duty" (Large pickups, but light duty compared to 40 ton dumptrucks and mining equipment) trucks were killing the occupants instead of just injuring them in mine accidents. It was the heavy steel bumpers on the fronts of the trucks, they basically ruin the crumple zone and tend to shove the engine into the passenger compartment and/or the energy from the accident is absorbed by the occupants rather than the crumple zone. They're good for wildlife but very bad for highway driving.

[@GrizzlyPath]

The impact absorption and engineering involved with it is something that is very often overlooked when people custom make heavy steel bumpers. Very cool to see it in action, thanks for sharing!

[@gwot]

yeah, on Tacomas for example, all the steel bumpers remove the little block of aluminum between the frame rails and rebar, effectively removing a little bit of crumple zone.

[@Steve-Mcgarrett]

Total rubbish for pansies and snowflakes! I want my bar to have zero crumple! What is the point of this over priced junk! I'll stick to HAMMER industries

[@jandreneethling5664]

Bring it over to South Africa and test it against the local rogue taxi’s.. Thats the only “true” test for a bullbar..

[@jdjoubert]

The taxis in South Australia is pretty tame.

[@twostrokescottbarnes]

Or the cattle you find in the rural areas.

[@russelpeel617]

@@jdjoubert compared to which other taxis? 🤔😄

[@Chronic_Monkey]

I agree, fokken etters maak net kak.

[@TecioNogueira]

In WA we get cattle, camels n emus. Kangaroo is just a normal everyday driveway exercise haha

[@paulaht]

This is a great advertisment for TJM (as it's meant to be) but it was still really interesting & I reckon I'm a bit smarter after watching it, thanks Shauno.

[@dominicprezwanski2565]

Aussie here living in the USA, noticed another fella made a shout out from Cali. You guys have really stepped it up with this one! Nice work, Keep it up!

[@dustinlerch9272]

The “chazzy” oh man it’s good every time

[@VelaHiko]

Lol. Shazzie.

[@alexgibbs356]

Their slang is so terrible

[@patroln48]

How great is it to get an insight into our domain - the 4WD world! Thanks to 4WD 24-7 we get to see the details / "behind the scenes" of the industry, giving us more confidence in our purchasing decisions! Thanks so much guys!

[@just_dave]

Def getting a bullbar on my excel ?🤷‍♂️ 😂

[@4WD247]

Clearly needs one!

[@tristanritchie9748]

I hit a roo in the same spot as the test @ 100km p/h, bent the bar slightly and was able to drive home, good all round bar, I would recommend TJ M

[@jf9866]

This channel is starting to become my favorite channel on KZbin. Great videos guys! top effort!

[@NortheymobFishing]

Loving the consistency of the uploads 😍

[@jaykanngiesser3454]

I have an ARB Summit on my ‘17 Colorado diesel here in Western Canada. Hit a 225 kg 4 point mule deer at 100 kph hole towing a 3000 kg boat. He was at a full run and came out of the ditch in a snow storm. Zero time to brake. He hit his shoulder on the left upright and wing and his head right in the center of the bullbar. The truck absolutely would have been undriveable without the bullbar. Zero frame damage, no airbag deployment. Totally committed to having a bullbar on all my trucks!

[@neth77]

Proud to have a TJM steel bar, the factory alloy crap was useless.

[@TJM4X4]

We’re proud to have you as a customer! Thanks for the support Tony 👍

[@aussiedrifter]

Very interesting in all the effort & testing TJM put into their Bullbars & everything else they make, That's why I have a steel TJM Bullbar on my Suzuki Jimny Sierra Mate.

[@JoshuaDiamente]

I'd be interested in an ARB engineering comparison 🙏

[@148Reaper]

well they don't have recovery points and they cost a fair bit more, they also have plastic everywhere that keeps breaking when you hit the smallest thing.

[@joshuagunter1177]

Not made in aus if I’m right.

[@148Reaper]

@@joshuagunter1177 Most aussie companies only make a couple locally then have them the rest build in Thailand or the like and imported.

[@KegRaider]

@@148Reaper Pretty sure TJM are still all australian made. Mine was about the same price as the ARB, but looks better on the front.

[@Wtrxprs007able]

@@joshuagunter1177 ARB still has their factory in kilsyth Melbourne. My bar is made there.

[@kaledeish]

A meaningful program and I would love to see more ... Thank you, friends

[@JustMe-sr1zb]

Can't wait to see ARB & Ironman plus all the other bars tested in the way TJM are.

[@rileyfishing2927]

Arb will hold but Ironman will not

[@wirebrush]

Here in the states the ARB is one of the only ones available that is certified for air bag compatibility.

[@gzahnd]

@@wirebrush Correct.

[@simonmassey2716]

They all are otherwise there not ADR compliant

[@itchyslothballs]

ARB made in china 😏😜

[@SuedeStonn]

I had an Aries brush guard/grille on my 2019 Ford Ranger XL, and it got crumpled after a head-on with a Jeep Compass, both of us doing about 35mph. I'm sure it helped a little bit with the crash safety, but I really bought it for the amount of deer that run around my town, Susanville, CA. They're basically a "protected class" here, walk around with no fear, and occasionally like to play, "Can I survive a hit by that truck?" Anyway, I got myself another 2019 Ford Ranger, this time an XLT (I would have liked another XL but didn't have any in stock at the used but well kept car lot). After looking online at bullbars and bumpers I ran across the ARB Summit (very similar to these TJM's) and decided this is going on this go 'round, very sturdy looking, and upgrading the bumper at the same time I'm adding a brush guard/grille slash anti-MVW (anti- Mobile Vehicle Wrecker, aka deer). This video has only reinforced my desire to get it, thank you for making it! ;}

[@fredleo8751]

Waiting for such a video for years, appreciate it mate.

[@johnposselt8739]

Thankyou so much for all the useful information. This has helped us make our decision on whether to fit a bull bar.

[@truetierra]

Great vid! Would love to see a 4wd247 bullbar shootout - ARB, TJM, Ironman, PIAK, MCC, ECB and smartbar. Animal strike test, weld quality test, overall quality test (coating etc) then price comparison. Also does having bull bar hoops (single or triple) make a difference in an animal strike?

[@Tyranos01]

Yes this would be fantastic

[@Tyranos01]

Yeah I doubt it as well but one can only hope

[@bendgeddes]

It has been done but before the days of sensors (only airbags). TJM actually came out on top too. That old 4wd Monthly article is still the reason I’m using TJM. 👍

[@jamesmcguire1178]

MCC & McArmour Bull Bars are absolutely Junk, The Write off 4x4 The Insurance Company’s Put Ironman Bull Bars on the Write offs, Stick To ARB / TJM or IRONMAN 4X4 Bars, I don’t know about East Coast Bars Rock Armour Or Opposite Lock Bars, MCC and McArmour Design just for looks Powder Coating for MCC is Crap

[@4WheelingSA]

Very interesting. Would be interesting to know how many other manufacturers follows the same process as it is actually critical that they do.

[@waynepaku1277]

Wow. Great video guys. Bloody brilliant

[@kiara-leearmstrong9503]

This KZbin channel is so underrated 💞

[@alltorkadventures1139]

Thus is awesome cheers for such a good epp boys🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@christopherrohweder4019]

Awesome video!. I didn't know these companies put that effort into the crash ratings on vehicles.

[@stephenwilliamson4556]

Done the roo impact test with a 1999 Hyundai Sonata, and a real Kangaroo on the way home from work one night. It hit the front passenger side of my car. Damage was fairly similar to the results shown here. It didn’t bust the radiator, so I was able to limp it home, but it went to the scrapyard not long after that.

[@joshpiper954]

Another ripper vid, Shauno, that 200 still looks pretty clean!

[@liamguzman7542]

That Dmax with the TJM bar looked mint

[@christopherreynolds8873]

Great video. Really enjoyed this one

[@emuisland5821]

No “z” in chassis. Good epizode

[@sheputthelimeinthecoconut629]

Z’s are S’s south of the equator. And the toilets swirl backwards. And.. and... well, kangaroos.

[@kieranjongewaard1314]

Awesome video cheers Shauno🤙🏾

[@alexanderfreeman3856]

All this stuff is cool, but how about serious crash testing? I would suspect strapping a big stiff structure to the front of the vehicle would defeat the benefit of the vehicle crumpling to protect the vehicle occupants.

[@JacopoSkydweller]

It significantly increases the danger to the occupants of both vehicles. Turns uninjured into injured, injured into dead.

[@allenclydesales6125]

so satisfying mate!

[@Robert8455]

Very nice to see the effort in R&D rather than just slapping some plates together. But a real head to head test by a 3rd party with other players would be epic. TJM has their act together but do the others as well?

[@glennsmall3520]

Bull are and info great to hear about. Was amazed at the canopy going over the ladder but. Looked like it was gonna shake off the back

[@bendgeddes]

Love TJM bar work. Best looking bar for the funny looking BT50 too. 👍

[@TJM4X4]

Glad to hear you love it Ben! We’re a big fan of it too 😉

[@cameronupton8367]

Considering the bulbar is designed to slide back on impact to absorb shock, after a light collision does the bulbar need to be inspected/reset? Can they be pulled forward again ready for another impact?

[@tobus71]

Shu Roo! Keep up the great work fellas!

[@stuartkcalvin]

Great technical piece, thanks. What was not highlighted was the way that the TJM bar tilts back on impact - sending the object back over the windscreen. It is now, and has been for some time, illegal to have a slightly rear tilt on the bullbar. Many of us may be from Whellabarrowback, but sometimes we know math, like vectors. Home-made bars were always tilted back, and the local copper always knew why.

[@tareskisloki8579]

Pretty sure it's the forward tilted bars that are illegal, the older style designed to send whatever you hit down under the tyres, like the classic five posters that used to be on everything west of great dividing range.

[@andrewvenz7556]

TJM bar goes on my new Dmax next week. Can not wait!

[@TJM4X4]

We’re pretty excited to kit up your rig Andrew! Can’t wait for you to see the end result. Very worth the wait.

[@brentonmoore6891]

Would love to see tuff bar or hopper knocker do that same test.

[@peterg5715]

It’s protection for occupants in a high speed crash that matters. Bull bars seem to reduce crumple effect. They must increase braking distance and reduce manoeuvrability. Safety design of modern cars is complex . Bolting stuff on may well protect from kangaroos, but surely our families safety is more important.

[@bradhughes7226]

Hitting a kangaroo can kill you. So can getting stranded out bush. Which kind of safety is more important? The bar still crumples, just won't crumple for a minor impact.

[@glensubtorq]

Wow! Awesome info 👍😎

[@curtisfowler7992]

Loving the vids

[@housseinnaji1162]

I love this youtube channel keep it up

[@hendrikkleyn8571]

Lmao that blow-up skippy is a good touch

[@senukaperera807]

I reckon this is a blaster!

[@robertstazzonelli7763]

Great to know seeing I have chosen to fit a TJM T13 bullbar to my New 200 series LC. The whole idea was “IF” I hit a kangaroo when towing my 19ft caravan it means it doesn’t hopefully end my holiday suddenly and not needing to sort out repairs for just a car along with having to work out how the hell to tow a van back to home base. Let’s face it , a bull bar is not a great look for the front for your car but they have come a long way in appearance and are purpose built. One small sacrifice that am prepared to make - Great insurance !! P.S. great video Shauno !

[@abrazosnobalazosxd1827]

Great bumper, I got one on my R51 pathfinder, a truck backed up to me and he bent the corner of his truck bed and the only damage I had was a scratch that I clean with gas

[@Mambey]

My factory Gu Patrol bar recently damaged in an accident ( i think made by ARB) used to vibrate less than the TJM bar mounted after the repairs.

[@daniel_5413]

Love the vids boys keep it up

[@4WD247]

Thanks mate!

[@fishtacoma]

First time I'm THIS early to a 4WD 24-7 Episode Cheers, Mates, from Southern California, USA

[@4WD247]

Onya mate!!

[@imzackson]

Mojave desert here

[@dylanmorse]

I’ve got a Hickey enterprise on my K10 and it makes me a lot more comfortable on and off road

[@Alamini96]

I love it every time you mention the shazzie

[@michaeldavidson1]

Looking foward to my TJM outback bar for my prado

[@mooroocho834]

Okay. Now hit a ballistic fake kangaroo with a brand new 4x4 without the bullbar!

[@keeleeng]

That would be a more realistic test

[@choppaa22]

Word little excel stood no chance funny though punt

[@daretosucceed5938]

I hit a real kangaroo as I crested a hill at 95kph in my Land Rover Discovery 2 without a bullbar. Luckily the roo was not in mid-air at the time so I struck it with the stock-standard bumper bar and the roo went underneath and not over the bonnet. The kangaroo was killed by the impact but there wasn't a mark on the vehicle. Very lucky. Now I have a bullbar.

[@chrisoliver4663]

@@daretosucceed5938 very lucky mate

[@tano1747]

Yeah i am unconvinced by a comparison of ute with bullbar vs excel unprotected

[@theboat9311]

Should be testing a 120km hit, thats what speed most people with a bullbar go on country roads at night

[@cinderswolfhound6874]

Only if they are looking at their phone at the time

[@normalguy7898]

@@cinderswolfhound6874 not really. That's the speed you hit a kangaroo. Its also the impact that two cars going 60kmph would impact at with a head on.

[@bradhughes7226]

Most people? Jesus, only if you know nothing about country driving. I drive road trains at night in WA. Barely ever get overtaken at night. Sitting on 100kph with a bar that shrugs off cows. You are asking for trouble if you're doing more than that in a shoe box. You can't see road condition well, you can't see the livestock on the side of the road, you can't stop for the kangas. Silly stuff. There are lots of deaths on country roads, impatience and risk taking behavior is why.

[@F150ownershipguy]

Who knew. I was told an animal strike with a bull bar would bend the chassis. Great video.

[@joshuaculross1387]

Good to see the stig made an appearance once again

[@noahjames6716]

I think you guys should do a alloy vs steel bar comparison my car is currently fitted with an alloy but I've been told my bar won't be up for 4WDING

[@hernandovillamarinbuenaven7476]

Many thanks for real time torture tests & great video!!.. *Subbed, BTW.

[@chrisandshazza01]

Great video👌👌👌👌👌 very interesting!!!!!!

[@stevegoodwin5841]

T13 Outback bar on my MY18 Dmax for a good reason. TJM Scrub bars and steel sidesteps complete the front reinforcement and stabilizing of the platform.

[@adrianmehmedi6376]

I wonder if that by the time the bar slides back to the end of the mount hole and for the airbag to activate if that minuet time delay would affect the airbag delay and a persons safety ?

[@zac3156]

Good to know the exact roo size too be looking out for on way home

[@bendgeddes]

Orange ones too😜

[@mahannoi]

Can't wait to see the 200 on the track!

[@OlympusHeavyCavalry]

I am curious as to whether the mechanical testing devices for the "Bull bars" are ISO and ANZ approved and rated? However, the Kangaroo test on the "Bull bar" is mute, even though there is repeatability and falsification; there are two different vehicles used along with no variability in vehicle speeds or distance, and, the absence of a crash test dummy that is rated and approved. Do these "Bull bars" come with the appropriate approval and rating stickers, even the ones manufactured overseas?

[@rahadyanmuhammad271]

how about the replacement if the crash existed? does TJM provide crumple zone/link replacement?

[@SMYSRizvi]

Hey Shauno waiting to see your LC 200 series

[@nickidan2000]

I would have loved to have seen a load test on a bullbar that mounts with 4-6 bolts like alot of bullbars do. Tjm can go 8 ton of load, how about a comparison of another bullbar like mine for example that's only got 4 bolts holding it on - maybe mine could do 8 ton as well!

[@RyanYoxo]

This actually leans me towards getting brush bars not a bull bar.. that saved heaps on impact on that rubber kanga, whereas the one without copped it

[@ryanknights9017]

Hey guys love the vids

[@KevinNiven]

Very nice! Will they be making them for the new Bronco?

[@DanCabban]

That’s impressive 👍

[@grn9209]

Amazing 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@perpelle]

Best catch can for a 2021 hilux 2.8? Shipping to Europe is a must. Tips?

[@TwoNuggs]

Hey man, love the vids. Quick question, I'm trying to build a custom offroad/camper crv gen 4 and I need help fabricating a modern styled bullbar. Literally no one has done this before so it's one of a kind on this model haha. Any chance I could get some assistance of some sort? Could even use it for a video idea 🙃

[@baloghlcb]

Last year I had an F250 coming at me head on spin out and hit me. Luckily I had a Ranchand bumper on my F250. Saved my truck from being totaled. Basically just had to repaint one fender and replace the bumper. Other truck didn't fare so well. Ended up with a Buckstop bumper now though, looks better than the Ranchand. My brother and I will always run bull bars on our F250s.

[@tritonjackmam5.681]

Ha mate great presentation as usual 👍 2 questions can the bar be mounted enough forward so when you do hav a hit it doesn't hit the bonnet say forward say150mm 2nd question can they mount a recce hitch type receiver so you could use a portable winch cradle front or back cheers mate

[@bendgeddes]

Hitch receiver is a good idea👍

[@stephanmahabir5864]

We need you see your big 200 in action shauno !

[@subtleinfluence9478]

Nice journalism, champ. Do a video about air compressors?

[@akhilpb9196]

Extraordinary engineering and admiration for it. But terrified of a pedestrian collision with this.

[@bradhughes7226]

At some point mate, pedestrians and drivers need to take responsibility for their own actions. Stepping out in front of a moving vehicle can be deadly. It shouldn't matter whether that's a Hyundai, a ranger or a 90 ton mack. The message shouldn't be "let's find a way for pedestrians to survive a collision with big trucks" or "let's compromise the function of the truck to make it safer for pedestrians to stand in front of".

[@itsyaboimat2393]

Can we get TJM bullbars in America? I live in rural Maine and deer strikes are a big problem and I'd like to put one of these on my 2020 4Runner Venture when I get it so if one hits my runner my car isn't totalled

[@williamlucrisia9169]

Here in Washington State USA. They stop for the deer and pull out the phones to take a picture. 😆 Thanks Shauno engineering is cool.

[@hmlgtr]

Thank you!!

[@joseph4265]

Thank you. 😊

[@mackenziebooth7301]

EFS bullbars have recovery points built in too and thicker tubing

[@DarkMatter1992]

Does TJM make a bull bar for a Hyundai Excel? Or any non 4x4 vehicle for that matter? Those all clearly need front end protection as well.

[@sumit_john]

When can we expect a bar for the new Fortuner to come to market? I saw it being 3d scanned at 0:36

[@marcus1ford]

As xrox is a popular bullbar would be good if u guys did a segment on them.....plz

[@hawr0]

Can you mount any bullbar to any vehicle without any special control/permision from the road authorities over there? Greetings from Norway

[@ducky88x10]

That yellow machine reminds me of your 2001 snatch strap shoot out

[@bendgeddes]

Those were the days👍

[@FirstLightAdv]

So cool!

[@Tareelad]

Other question is how safe are they when 4wd with bullbars hit much smaller cars at speed?

[@CGKFC_Amar]

TJM or ARB?? Which one is the best??

[@Christianstankers]

Awesome video 👍 but the old nav with its factory ARB steel bullbar his a big fella $120 and has no cosmetic damages gotta love old cars