PROTECTION RACKET

New to the tracks or a seasoned off-roader, smart protection gear keeps your rig rolling and your wallet intact. Here's what to fit front, sides, belly and rear-before the bush takes its toll.

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Just rolled a shiny new 4x4 off the showroom floor and keen to hit the tracks? Hate to break it to you, but spend enough time off-road or in the scrub and you're bound to scrape something and that new-car shine won’t last long.

Here are a few products that'll help keep your 4x4 looking sharp - and moving when the going gets rough.

One of the first upgrades most 4x4 owners make - whether the rig’s brand new or an old favourite - is fitting a bullbar or replacement front bumper. For some, it’s all about the look. For others, it’s a necessity, with the bullbar ready to do the job it was designed for: protecting the front end when things go sideways.

What does a bullbar actually do?

A bullbar is designed to protect vital mechanical components in the event of an animal strike or frontal impact. Its primary role is to shield the cooling system and front-end hardware, helping ensure the vehicle remains drivable so you can safely reach your destination. A secondary benefit is the protection it offers to body panels and headlights, keeping damage to a minimum and your lights operational.

To do the job properly, a bullbar needs hoops or structural elements that rise above the main crossbar to at least bonnet height, protecting the area directly behind the grille - where the radiator and other critical components live. Hoopless bars or anything that doesn’t offer this level of protection aren’t true bullbars and shouldn’t be labelled as such.

That’s not to say hoopless bars or metal bumper replacements don’t have their place. They offer more protection than the standard plastic bumper, usually provide better clearance for off-road driving, and give you a solid platform to mount a winch, driving lights or antennas. But let’s be clear - they are not bullbars.