Westin Bull Bar Installed

DaveRuane · April 3, 2002

Installed a Black model of the Westin Bull Bar with optional SS skid plate on my 2500HD CrewCab. Here's my observations:

Easy install - about 45 minutes. All Westin-supplied HW fit properly, directions were good.

Quality - Packaging that the bar came in did not prevent marring of the bar in shipping. The box of HW (brackets) was loose and obviously slammed into the foam wrapped bar a few times. No dents, but some rub marks, scratching - mostly minor. Skid plate arrived a few days ahead of the bar in separate shipment. Skid plate is nice but thinner material than expected.

Looks - The black bar with SS skid plate looks better than I expected (no OEM pix available on websites). The bar doesnt obstruct the HD trademark grill bar, nor chevy logo. The license plate would normally be hidden behind the skidplate but I remounted it higher using stock bumber holes and lower license plate holes. When I add lights, the plate may get obstructed. If I get pulled over, I may mount it to the skidplate. Tow hooks are intact but somewhat obstructed. I'll yank toyotas out using the rear or at an angle on the front (heck, the bar might work for a skimpy toyota!) THE BIGGEST PROBLEM I HAVE with the bar is the ground clearance. The bar ends hang below the air dam abot 3-inches making the front end appear bottom heavy and possibly getting in the way off-road. I have upped the priority on new wheels and 285's to offset this by about 2-inches! From the side, the bar looks a little awkward - also at the bottom.

Other Notes - Bar seems very stout. Can't say that it will provide significant front end protection but it is a good place to mount lights. A note on lights - I wanted to add Hella Black Magics to the bar but they are too big to fit within the center bar area. It looks like 6" diameter, 7" height, 2-3/4" depth is as big as it will allow (any suggestions?)

Hope this info is useful! - Dave

ClawSS · April 4, 2002

Please, oh please get pics of this installation. I have to see this piece installed. I wanted to get one, but have never seen one on a Chevy, just a GMC HD and I couldn't get the full effect.

I would love to see the "awkwardness" that you speak of from the side. Is this due to the tubing just ending in mid air or is that just an image I have in my head?

Wonder how this would work with the new PIAA airdam with matching lights?

Did I mention that I need to see pics?

Thanks

Chris

antig24 · April 5, 2002

sounds cool, I'd love to see some pics

DaveRuane · April 5, 2002

I'll get pics out this weekend! But, yes you pegged it ClawSS, the tubes ending in mid-air at the bracket, and the fact that this is below the airdam makes it look awkward. Also, from the side the tubing comes straight out from the bottom, with a 90 going up. If they had curved it more like the bumper lines it would have been better. With a lift kit this thing will be better!

DaveRuane · April 9, 2002

Here's some pix...

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery....=434355

antig24 · April 9, 2002

that looks very nice

Jpshostr · April 9, 2002

Boy, I sure do see what you mean by that bar hanging low in those pictures. I don't know how much I'd like that, with the places we drive such as in our pasture (crosses ruts, creek, etc.) I'd be scared it would move that front end out so far it'd pick the front end of the truck up and leave the wheels off the ground. Maybe it doesn't look that bad in real life, maybe it does, I don't know. Other than that it looks like it built with pretty good quality with those big bars and such.

ClawSS · April 10, 2002

Wow, that is a definate change of attitude. I, too, am suprised at how square they made a round tube. As you said, if it had followed the bumper line it would have suited the front better and possibly lightened it in appearance.

Well, I think that Fabtech has a new 8" lift for the HD's. I guess that and a 3" BL will just have to go on to make that bar fit..

Dave, it looks great. I mean that. Even though it may be "bottom heavy"...that just happens to be where the rest of the world views the truck...from bottom up.

Good luck and happy modding.