2018 Ford Explorer Bull Bars & Push Bar Bumpers

Benefits of Bull Bars

There's no better protection for your truck, Jeep®, or SUV’s front end than a premium bull bar or push bar bumper. These burly alloy hoops mount to your vehicle’s bumper or frame rails, guarding the front end against minor collisions and abrasions. Whether navigating a cramped, shopping-cart-filled parking lot or mowing down dense brush, a bull bar keeps body damage to a minimum.

Some bull bars also feature integrated alloy skid plates, protecting the undercarriage against rocks, hills, and stumps while traversing challenging terrain. And for even more protection, check out the rugged, wrap-around styling of a heavy-duty grille guard.

Bull Bar Materials

At RealTruck®, we offer bull bars manufactured from various materials for different levels of protection. Check out the most common variations below. 

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a durable and corrosion-resistant alloy with a high chromium content, enabling it to resist rust and oxidation. This alloy is heavy and stout, like conventional steel, with the added benefit of increased corrosion resistance in even the harshest conditions, making it ideal for use in inclement climates.  

Most stainless steel bull bars feature raw mirror-polished finishes.

RealTruck Expert Pick: RealTruck Lund Stainless LED Bull Bar

Why we love it:

• Timeless tubular design

• Features a corrosion-resistant stainless steel construction

• Lustrous mirror-polished finish

• Includes a recessed, LED light bar and wiring harness

• Integrated skid plate for superior impact resistance

• Easy no-drill installation

Steel

Most bull bars feature robust, tubular steel construction for durability and classic styling. These bars are ideal for off-roading and moderate impact protection, guarding your ride’s soft polyurethane bumpers against impacts and abrasions. Most steel bull bars are finished in a lustrous chrome plating or corrosion-resistant powder coat, guarding the alloy against rust for long-lasting service.

While durable, it’s important to note that steel bull bars are far heavier than aluminum variants.

RealTruck Expert Pick: Go Rhino® RC4 LR Bull Bar

Why we love it: 

• Aggressive, angular, modern design

• Features a heavy-duty all-steel construction

• Corrosion-resistant textured black powder coat

• The integrated light mount accepts most 20-in. single-row LED light bars 

• Retains front parking sensor functionality

• Traditional Go Rhino® RC hexagonal patterned skid plate enables airflow across the radiator, intercooler, AC condenser, and fluid coolers

Aluminum

Aluminum bull bars are nearly as durable as steel but without the added weight or potential for corrosion. The lightweight alloy resists rust and oxidation for a long-lasting finish, even when left raw. While not quite as durable as comparable steel bull bars, aluminum bull bars can handle most minor impacts and abrasions. 

Most aluminum bull bars feature a sleek polished finish or stealthy black powder coat.

RealTruck Expert Pick: Aries AdvantEDGE Black Bull Bar

Why we love it:

• Edgy, angular, octagonal-tube design

• Lightweight tube construction

• Easy no-drill installation

• Stylish and corrosion-resistant black powder-coat finish

• Limited lifetime structural | 5-year finish warranty

Types of Bull Bars

Aside from materials, we offer several styles of bull bars. These include: 

• Single Tube: Rugged, single-hoop design for a classic, minimalist appearance. Typically constructed from heavy-duty steel or lightweight aluminum. 

• Double Tube: Dual-tube designs offer enhanced protection and rigidity.

• Triple Tube: Three-tube construction offers significant protection against impacts and abrasions—ideal for off-roading. 

• Illuminated: While most bull bars offer integrated light tabs, illuminated bull bars feature integrated LED lights for superior visibility. Models such as the Lund Revolution perfectly pair body protection, style, and light output.

Bull Bars vs. Push Bar Bumpers

What’s the difference? 

Bull bars typically feature round or square tube designs. These front-end protectors focus equally on aesthetics and functionality, often finished in lustrous chrome or polished. Regarding form factor, bull bars generally feature a smaller form factor, primarily protecting the bumper and rarely extending into the grille region. 

On the other hand, push bars offer more coverage but are less aesthetically pleasing. Where bull bars guard against mild impacts and abrasions, push bars are overbuilt to push other vehicles or heavy objects from one place to another. Emergency response vehicles are outfitted with push bars rather than bull bars for this reason. Push bars are generally only offered with steel constructions and black finishes. 

For additional information, check out our Bull Bar vs. Push Bar comparison on RealSource.

Bull Bar FAQs

Q: Are bull bars legal? 

A: While laws may vary from state to state, the consensus is yes. Bull bars are legal as long as they don’t pose any unnecessary safety risks to other drivers or pedestrians. If legality is a concern, check with your local government and only order DOT-approved products. 

Q: Should I upgrade my suspension after installing a bull bar? 

A: This one depends on a few factors, like your bull bar's weight and vehicle's class. Where most heavy-duty pickups won’t experience significant height or performance changes, installing a burly steel bull bar on a light-duty vehicle may net a slight drop in ride height. Check out our assortment of suspension products.