Pushbar On A 2wd?

Nytemare · July 22, 2007

I was thinking of something like this

I am putting 33's on with a 2" front lift, as soon as the tires I have on there now wear out.

I was thinking of this bar some step bars and skid plates. I want to be able to go off road, on logging roads, but I don't want to have the look of a 2WD trying to be a 4WD. I mainly want it there for some protection.

asilverblazer · July 22, 2007

Protection? It won't stop major damage, plus if it gets hit it will bend just like the bumper, so it would need replaced just like a bumper. Compare the cost of a replacement push bar to that of a replacement bumper, suddenly replacing a bent bumper isn't so bad. This is why I won't put one or something similar on my truck, because they are basically there strictly for looks.

One of those road armor bumpers though...

mini1 · July 22, 2007

Get a 4WD truck.

Nytemare · July 22, 2007

Get a 4WD truck.

Give me the cash!

I want to be able to go off road, on logging roads. I have no real need for a 4WD. At least with the 2WD I wouldn't attempt something stupid like I would with a 4WD, me and 4WD trucks don't agree, we cost way too much money together.

Wingnut · July 22, 2007

I'd put it on my 2wd, if that were what I wanted.

However...Don't those things bork up the airbag sensors and change at what point the airbags go off?

Nytemare · July 22, 2007

I'd put it on my 2wd, if that were what I wanted.

However...Don't those things bork up the airbag sensors and change at what point the airbags go off?

Good point. Although that may not necessarily be a bad thing.

I Just asked basically, to see if it would make the truck look too much like a 4WD wannabe.

mini1 · July 22, 2007

Get a 4WD truck.

Give me the cash!

I want to be able to go off road, on logging roads. I have no real need for a 4WD. At least with the 2WD I wouldn't attempt something stupid like I would with a 4WD, me and 4WD trucks don't agree, we cost way too much money together.

Sell your truck and find a 4WD. You are going to get stuck on a constant basis going off-road with a 2WD.

asilverblazer · July 22, 2007

I tihnk it'll look alright with the lift. I would look for a rear end with the G80, or you will be stuck all the time.

Wingnut · July 22, 2007

I'd put it on my 2wd, if that were what I wanted.

However...Don't those things bork up the airbag sensors and change at what point the airbags go off?

Good point. Although that may not necessarily be a bad thing.

I Just asked basically, to see if it would make the truck look too much like a 4WD wannabe.

Like mine.

Nytemare · July 22, 2007

I have a 3.42 with a G80 I have been out in a lot of gooey mud and haven't been stuck yet, and I have crappy tires on it, some no name highway thread. You just have to use some common sense.

Even with a 4WD I go off roading in 2wd. If I get stuck than I have an extra little bit that may get me out...If you get stuck in 4WD your gonna need a winch.

I'm not planning on going off in any thing remotely close to what I'd do in a 4WD. Its just logging roads, the reason I need the extra protection is some places the trucks have dug trenches and made it so that you can bottom out or hit the front bumper on the center of the trail.

I also have no need for a 4WD. It rarely snows here, and when it does its like 1/2" or so and lasts for about 3-4 hours max. I use the truck for hauling stuff to my house, like gravel, furniture and groceries and I use it to drive to work.

And No I am not selling it...I just got it 4 months ago. I would be killed on resale value. I don't even have the taxes paid off yet...

Bottom line, is this going to add some protection to the front end of my truck, and will it make my truck look gay.

Nytemare · July 22, 2007

I'd put it on my 2wd, if that were what I wanted.

However...Don't those things bork up the airbag sensors and change at what point the airbags go off?

Good point. Although that may not necessarily be a bad thing.

I Just asked basically, to see if it would make the truck look too much like a 4WD wannabe.

Like mine.

That don't look bad. Thats pretty much how I want my truck. Maybe a little lower, I don't think I am going to do a lift. Just throw some 33's on it with a 2" front spacer. Basically make it level and fill up the wheel wells a little more, plus add some ground clearance.

Wingnut · July 22, 2007

Mine has a 3" suspension lift on it and 3:42 gears. It's also got the V6.

I know what you're talking about with the logging roads, we've got a bunch of them here in the SE portion of the state...And I'd not hesitate to take mine on them. Matter of fact...I've done it a few times. As for how much a cow puncher is going to protect your truck? Well...That's kind of a wash. As has been said, a new bumper is probably going to cost less than a new Westin if you bend either of them. There are some aftermarket bumpers out there that will do the job very well...but you'll probably need an extra set of shocks and bigger springs up front to drive normally with them.

So...You're pretty much down to looks. And only you can tell if it's something you want on there. I know people with those bars on 2wd '89 Toyotas, and it looks fine. There's also a guy I work with that has an F250 with a 6' lift and 35" tires...He's got one that looks like total crap.

Bottom line? Do what makes you happy with your truck. I catch some guff for having a 2wd V6 truck that looks the way it does...But it performs flawlessly for what I use it (very mild off-road, light-hauling, and toting around my ATV), so I tell them to piss up a rope in their pavement pounding commuter 4x4 that's never actually been IN 4x4 mode, much less off-road.

Nytemare · July 22, 2007

yeah, thats pretty much where I'm at too man. I just want to be able to do all the stuff you listed off. And if I really want to have fun in the mud and trails...I'll go buy a quad.

I just wonder about the air bags going off if I hit hard enough to bend the bumper...I couldn't give a s**t about it. I just don't want to replace the bags.

Wingnut · July 22, 2007

Now that I think about it...I think the airbag sensors are on the frame, and the airbags deploy when frame compacts.

Bull-bars may not make that big of a difference in when they pop out.

Hmmm..

Nytemare · July 22, 2007

do you know what speed they deploy at? If its something like 35mph or something like that, It wont matter too much, I'll never be driving that fast on a logging road anyway.