Your Guide to Bull Bars and Brush Guards

You’ve probably heard about bull bars and brush guards when looking for truck accessories. These two terms refer to a specific type of front-end protection you can install on a truck or SUV. While “bull bars” and “brush guards” have similar functions these two terms are not interchangeable; they refer to two different types of accessories. What sets them apart? There are several key differences.

What’s a Brush Guard?

A “brush guard” is often called a “grille guard”. Grille guards have a distinct H-shaped frame. The two vertical bars that makes up the ends of the H are known as risers and the horizontal line connecting them is known as a crossbar. With its special design, these three bars work together to provide excellent crash protection and off-roading protection; they’re just as effective on the highway as they are off the beaten path.

Grille guards (or brush guards) have many different designs. One popular feature on grille guards are headlight cages –small bars that go across your headlights to protect them. Other designs might include wraparound wings to extend the headlight cages to the sides, a grille plate for further grill protection, or pre-drilled holes for aftermarket lighting setups.

Key differences:

• H-shaped, made from risers and a crossguard
• Covers more of the front end than bull bars
• Doesn’t include a skid plate
• Often have ‘headlight cages’ that wrap around your headlights for protection

What’s a Bull Bar?

What’s the difference between a bull bar and brush guard/grille guard? One major difference is their shape. Grille guards have an ‘H’ shape frame, bull bars are shaped like an ‘A’. Bull bars consist of an outer tube that connects to a crossbar. They sit right in the center of your front end and are smaller than a brush guard, usually reaching only just below the bumper. They don’t include headlight cages either.

The difference in shapes isn’t just cosmetic, bull bars have a different function as well. A bull bar is more concentrated on protecting the area beneath your bumper. To help with this, bull bars usually include skid plates to deflect rocks and debris. Like a brush guard, a bull bars are often built to allow aftermarket lighting setups.

Key Differences:

• A-shaped, includes a crossguard with tubing
• Covers less of the front end, more underside protection
• Includes a skit plate
• Doesn’t include headlight cages

Why Do I Need A Brush Guard or Bull Bar?

Both the bull bar and the brush guard/grille guard were made for collision protection. They’re also incredibly dependable for off-roading. Off-roading includes many potential hazards, such as rocks, trees and stumps, and low or fallen branches. These guards will help defend your truck from all the above hazards. They’re dependable enough to protect your front end if you accidentally hit a large animal while driving, like a deer.

Bull bars and brush guards have other practical uses in addition to their solid defense. They’re great for mounting aftermarket lights, and you can also use them to mount a winch for tow jobs. If you get stuck in the mud during one of your off-road outings, then you can use the guard that’s bolted to your frame as a recovery point.

If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably interested in what popular brands are available for grille guards and bull bars. H&H always carries plenty of brands truck owners love; we’ll highlight a few of them for you:

ARIES

ARIES makes high-quality, customized grille guards for many popular models of truck, including Ford’s F-Series, the Toyota 4Runner, and the Chevrolet Silverado. We carry ARIES grille guards with both polished stainless steel and black powder coated finish. If you’re interested in the headlight cages that come with some grille guards, then ARIES makes plenty of models that include them.

If you’re on the fence about whether you like the look of headlight cages, the headlight cages are removable. With removable headlight guards and different finish options, ARIES offers plenty of custom options for truck drivers.

ARIES is one of our top bull bar suppliers as well. Like their selection of grille guards, you can find ARIES bull bars in with both semi-gloss black powder coating and a polished stainless steel finish.

Alongside bull bars made from steel, ARIES also offers their AdvantEDGE bull bars made from aluminum alloy, with carbide black powder coat and chrome finish options. If you are interested in using your bull bar for an aftermarket light setup, the AdvantEDGE series is available with built-it, waterproof LEDs, but has an option without lights as well. Outside of the AdvantEDGE series, ARIES’ other bull bars include pre-drilled holes for lighting setups as well.

Go Rhino

Go Rhino is another top supplier of grille guards and bull bars. Go Rhino grille guards include a unique, patented built-in step on the lower bar for easy hood access, which is especially useful on lifted trucks. You can find Go Rhino grille guards with and without headlight guards.

Go Rhino bull bars include mounts for lights, and some models even include installable lights with them. These bull bars made from steel and available with polished stainless and black powder coat finishing.

For additional style options, you can also find black powder coat bull bars with stainless steel skid plates, or polished bars with black skid plates. Those interested in a unique look for their truck will find plenty of options with Go Rhino bull bars. Go Rhino bull bars and grille guards are made for Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, and plenty of other popular trucks.

Lund

Lund bull bars are made rugged and can give any truck a more aggressive look while also providing protection to your bumper and grille. Lund bull bars come with built-in light bars, which makes them great for anyone who is interested in aftermarket lighting.

Like many popular manufacturers, Lund offers both black wrinkle powder coat and polished 304 stainless steel finishes.

We’re just scratching the surface. Other great brands you can find at H&H include:

• Big Country Truck Accessories bull bars and grille guards
• WARN grille guards
• Westin Automotive bull bars and grille guards

One final important thing to know about grille guards and bull bars is that if you own a modern vehicle, their setup may inhibit some of your front-end sensors and cameras.

H&HTruck Accessories is your go-to retailer for high-quality truck aftermarket accessories. You’ll find plenty of bull bars and grille guards to choose from in our online store.