Style and Substance: Upgrading Your Holden Colorado with a Bullbar
The Holden Colorado has proven to be a reliable ute for a multitude of driving tasks, both on and off-road. Holden may have ceased local production, and the brand joined automotive history, but decent and well-maintained second-hand Colorados can easily be found, and don’t miss out much from newer cars. It’s got a grunty and willing diesel putting out comparable power and torque with today’s best-sellers, a rounded suite of safety tech and an interior with decent comfort, ergonomics and quality materials. The good news for new ute buyers is that most are already accessorised, so you’ll be picking up a bargain, especially if the car has added necessities like bull bars, roof racks or driving lights.
For anyone missing out, there’s still a huge selection of parts and additions to get the most out of your ute. And most are also locally made, meaning you’ll be getting a quality piece of kit with no fitment issues. High on many wish lists is protective gear, and here reliable Holden Colorado bull bars cover most needs. They protect the car from impact, keep paintwork and vital engine parts unscathed, and are the foundation for dozens of extras that find practical use for off-roading or work.
Why Bull Bars Are a Must?
If you often drive in heavy traffic, use the ute on the construction site or farm, or like the odd weekend bush getaway, a full bull bar protects your Colorado from impact with other vehicles, road debris, ruts, rocks, branches and wildlife. The parts shield headlights for maximum visibility in all conditions, keep radiators and engine parts intact and prevent dents and scratches in the bodywork. Bull bars are designed with flexibility and impact resistance in mind. They also extend usability with cutouts to fit basics like winches and recovery points in serious terrain, driving lights and light bars for optimal safety in low visibility, and accessories like CB antennas where phone coverage is lacking.
There’s also a performance benefit to a Holden Colorado bull bar. The part replaces your front bumper while improving approach angles in off-roading duty. Plus. if you want more protection, bars are what keep underbody bash plates and brush bars nice and snug.
Buying Options
Not all bull bars to suit Holden Colorado are created equal. There are different designs, a range of materials, and installation considerations.
Designs
The various styles meet different protection, practicality and aesthetic needs. Traditional triple hoops consist of a larger central section, with left and right hoops covering more of the headlights, and shielding more of the sides as well. These are offered in thick tubing and will also be the basis for brush bars or driving accessories for demanding off-roading. The design comes as bare or with an integrated winch cradle sitting lower, and cutouts to install proper recovery points.
Single hoops are understandably smaller and lighter, so won’t affect steering feel as much, and do an adequate job in lighter trails and urban or worksite duty. What they lack though is the ability to fit or position necessities like driving lights.
Newer competition bars have a lower profile but protrude slightly further out than both single or triple hoops, and give off a modern look without forsaking protection. Most are winch-ready and do good for both off and on-road driving. What you choose will be based on your needs, and the look you’re after.
Steel or Aluminium?
These are the two basic materials Holden Colorado bull bars come in. High-grade stainless steel is preferred for its exceptional durability, and toughness, ability to withstand high-speed collisions with vehicles or larger wildlife (this is after all where the name comes from) and numerous mounting points for accessories. There are a few downsides though. Weight can easily eat into the ute’s payload and towing capacity, making it front-heavy and possibly in need of suspension tweaks. Coatings can also wear off, so rust may become a problem in the long run, ruining the good looks.
Aluminium bars are exceptionally lightweight, perform better in humid and wet environments without the risk of rusting, and are offered in several finishes for an upscale look. They may lack the full impact resistance and overall strength of heavier and beefier bars but cover most lighter tasks with aplomb.
Compatibility and Installation
Bull bars are fitted to the chassis rails and are contoured to wrap around the ute front for a neat look. Slight design and size differences mean some bars will fit one model but not necessarily another. Look for bull bars that are produced specifically for the Colorado, and take into account MY to accommodate design differences. Installing a full triple hoop will take some time, but all bars should also include an appropriate mounting kit and instructions if you’re doing the job yourself. Minor yet important considerations, like wiring for lights and collision sensors, can prove a bit too much for DIY-ers and disable airbag activation. If this is the case, spare yourself the hassle and get a professional fit.