2009 Subaru Forester Bull Bars

What Are Bull Bars?

Bull bars are heavy-duty tubular bars mounted to the front of a truck, SUV, or 4x4 to shield the vehicle's front end from damage. A bull bar is a device installed on the front of a vehicle to protect it from collisions — whether an accidental collision with a large animal on rural roads or other low-speed impacts. They are normally composed of welded steel or aluminum tubing, and the "bull" in the name refers to cattle, which in rural areas sometimes roam onto roads and highways.

Bull bars are tailor-made for vehicles that prioritize style and aesthetics, lending a rugged and commanding presence to trucks, 4x4s, Jeeps, SUVs, and CUVs alike. Not only do they protect your front end from low-speed collisions such as runaway shopping carts, they're often customizable with off-road lights and available in multiple finishes.

What to Consider When Choosing a Bull Bar

A bull bar is different from a grille guard in that it is shaped differently and is smaller, mainly providing protection to the bumper rather than the actual front grille or headlights like a grille guard does. When shopping for a bull bar, keep these factors in mind:

• Material & Finish: Most bull bars are made of 3 or 4-inch tubular steel and are intended to improve front-end protection. Options typically include powder-coated black for a stealthy look or polished stainless steel for a classic chrome appearance.
• Skid Plate: An integrated steel skid plate beneath the bar is critical for vehicles that see rough terrain where rocks and debris can hit from below as well as head-on.
• Light Mounts: Some bull bars are built with lugs to accommodate accessories like fog lights or spotlights, making them a great platform for auxiliary lighting upgrades.
• Installation: Look for bolt-on designs that use your vehicle's existing mounting points with no drilling or welding required for a cleaner, faster install.
• Weight: Bull bars restrict the extent of damage to your truck's front end in a crash, but since they are made from metal, they do add a fair bit of weight to your truck — worth considering for fuel economy and handling.

Explore Bull Bar Styles

Our bull bar catalog is organized into distinct subcategory styles to help you find the right fit. AR Bull Bars represent our most popular sport-bar style, offering a clean, streamlined A-frame profile that covers the lower bumper and grille with a modern, aggressive look. For a more traditional approach, Classic Bull Bars feature the iconic tubular design that has long been a staple on trucks and SUVs — a timeless choice for drivers who want rugged, proven front-end protection. Drivers looking for specialized fitments and configurations can also explore MS Bull Bars for additional options in this category.

Top Bull Bar Brands

With over 240 products from leading manufacturers, there is a bull bar to suit virtually every truck, SUV, and Jeep on the road. Here are the top brands you'll find in our catalog:

• Black Horse Off Road — Black Horse Off Road has remained a leader in the development, design, and manufacturing of innovative, stylish, and practical aftermarket automotive accessories. Black Horse products in polished finish are covered by a limited lifetime warranty, and black powder-coated products carry a 3-year warranty.
• Westin Automotive — A well-established name in truck accessories, Westin offers multiple bull bar lines to suit different needs. Westin's Ultimate Bull Bar is a front-end product that brings out the "off-road" personality in your vehicle, made of chrome-plated stainless steel or black powder-coated steel with tube diameters of 3" for larger vehicles and 2.5" for smaller ones.
• TrailFX — TrailFX is a go-to brand for truck and SUV owners who demand dependable front-end protection with rugged styling built specifically for off-road and trail use.
• Steelcraft — Steelcraft is a trusted name in front-end protection, known for quality steel construction and vehicle-specific fitments that make installation straightforward.
• Armordillo — Armordillo delivers heavy-duty bull bars built to absorb impacts and protect your investment, offering a solid selection of styles for popular truck and SUV platforms.