Westin Safari Bar Strength ?s

[storlied]

Can it be used as a tow point?
Can you sit on it? (Kinda a stupid question, I know.. but I'm curious..)
Can you push another vehicle with it? For example, out in some muddy area, or snowy... a truck gets stuck but they're not that dug in.. could I give them a push?
And could it take a hit? Like in a parking lot, or some idiot decides to backup n ram me at a red light... (see thread "is it gonna be totalled?" )

I'd get a brush guard but they're a bit out of my price range after the tires and a few other mods. =) And it seems to have thicker tubing..

Thanks in advance..

 

[hunterdan]

The Westin bar is basically for cosmetic use only, it may take some minor impacts, but nothing with any kind of force. Most of the brush/grille guards are not designed to withstand impacts as they only bolt to the frame with smaller brackets that act like a lever.

Dan

 

[DeRocha]

Dan is correct.. Most grill guards are cosmetic, but certain brands are much stronger than others.. I would never use one as a tow point, and wouldn't recommend using one to push other cars (to easy to damage the stuck vehicle). They can take some light impacts, but they don't offer any additional impact protection..

 

[Dan Whitaker]

One good hit & it's toast. It will also sit lower than the bumper so you loose front ground clearance. The paint fades fast, they rust fast.

I had one so I speak from experience. I wouldn't waste the money on it.

 

[kert0307]

I like my go-rhino push bumper. I've used it as a tow point twice now, once to pull my wife's taurus out of the ditch (it wasn't in too bad) and once to pull out the explorer since it was the only place to attach to since I didn't bring a snorkle... (see video attached) It's pretty beefy, I got it from a place that outfits police cars when they were clearing them out. It connects to the frame with 6 bolt points. I only use it as a last resort, but it seems to work ok.

 

[chriswells78]

You could probably get someone to bend and weld you something 10x stronger for the same price.

2" steel is $36 for 10' @ Lowes .

nice video kert

 

[storlied]

For the most part, it's something I can mount lights on and give Slight protection. (Hey, getting hit, having it push in and bend the brackets instead of my grill getting all smashed in is a lot better imo)

Does the full brush guard come down as much as the Safari Bar? Or do I lose the same amount of ground clearance with either?

 

[storlied]

So uh... Can I sit on it?.....

 

[gsx220]

i was forced to use my brush gaurd as a tow point once when i was stuck it got bent up pretty bad the tow didnt work so we had to use a high boy jack in the middle of it. it was either that or leave my truck there over night and that wasnt happening i still hate ford for not having tow hooks on the front of the explorers

 

[JMan689]

I'd save yourself the trouble and make a custom bumper. So much more unique and cool. Plus then you can make a spot for a winch, lights, tow hooks, a seat if you really wanted one..

 

[kert0307]

I'd save yourself the trouble and make a custom bumper. So much more unique and cool. Plus then you can make a spot for a winch, lights, tow hooks, a seat if you really wanted one..

Did someone say a seat?

 

[JMan689]

Did someone say a seat?

I dont know if i should laugh because its funny, or so messed up.

 

[storlied]

Lmao!

 

[Norad]

I was very happy with my Westin brushguard this past new years. I put my X off th road while I was at work and I blew thru three pine trees that were about 5" in diameter a piece of page wire fence and a small wood pile. All in all I was able to drive home and my X didn't puke any fluid, the radiator and th coolers were all set

 

[trevell407]

I'd say they're good for hitting trashcans, but thats about it

 

[AAnnddrreeww]

My buddy took out a tree with his Manik grill guard and it bent it back, oh, 1/4" and didnt mess the car itself up at all.

 

[DeRocha]

My buddy took out a tree with his Manik grill guard and it bent it back, oh, 1/4" and didnt mess the car itself up at all.

A Manik grill guard is VERY STRONG..

 

[AAnnddrreeww]

A Manik grill guard is VERY STRONG..

He's selling me it for $150 when he sells his X

 

[Texplorer]

Haha trashcans and shopping carts are about the only thing I was comfortable pushing around with my Westin Brushguard.
And the answer is NO to all of your questions about the safari bar, if you need something for all those questions I would suggest what Kurt has and go with the push bar.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Westin Safari Bars mount on flimsy brackets- won't take much to bend the brackets, it can't support any weight and definitely won't push a car.