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.

The post Style and Substance: Upgrading Your Holden Colorado with a Bullbar appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

Insulation

Car insulation is without a doubt an extremely important factor when it comes to off-road driving comfort. Not only that, but it can also play a key role in other factors as well, such as fuel economy, reliability, and vehicle longevity, which is especially true when it comes to automotive thermal insulation. When you’re driving off-road, chances are you’ll not only feel the bumps, but you’ll also hear them. That can get very grating very quickly, so making sure your vehicle is sound deadened is also recommended. Thermal insulation will not only regulate the temperature in the vehicle which can be a godsend when traversing off-road at night, but also regulates heat accumulation and generation, and allows your vehicle to cool and heat properly, depending on which is needed. Getting both automotive insulation and sound deadening is something you should definitely consider, as you’re bound to see their benefits sooner, rather than later. Automotive insulation and sound deadening often go hand in hand, and there are companies that can install both.

Suspension

This is often the first thing people think about when it comes to off-road. Suspension undeniably plays an enormous role in off-road driving, which is why it’s so crucial when it comes to driving comfort. Without good suspension in any vehicle, you’re not going to feel comfortable, period. Most spring and hardware setups are only tested for street and urban usage, so you’ll rarely find stock suspension that the manufacturer tested for off-road use. Aftermarket upgrades are definitely the way to go, as they’ll not only increase your overall driving comfort when off-road but also improve your vehicle’s off-road capabilities. When you’re getting a new suspension system, one of the first things you should look for is a package that focuses on key reinforcement areas and good-quality peripherals as those are key to making your off-road experience even more refined.

Tyres

It should go without saying that tyres are quite important for off-road driving. They’re not only essential for performance and comfort, but they can also enhance your vehicle’s look. Like with suspension, most manufacturers don’t really focus on off-road tyres in their stock offering, which is why getting new tyres afterwards isn’t uncommon. Off-road tyres will improve your traction on all types of surfaces, which can improve your vehicle’s climbing capability. Almost all off-road tyres have a drastically higher rubber quality, a factor that plays an enormous role in reducing tyre failure rates mid-trip, which in turn means better driving comfort, partially due to ease of mind.

Bull bars

Something that a lot of off-road drivers tend to neglect is getting a bull bar. They’re often regarded as brush bars, meaning they protect the front of your vehicle from things like grass, foliage, brush, and practically anything else that might stand in the way. While not a deal-breaker for most, it’s always smart to have something that doesn’t allow your car to swipe at something in front or underneath. You won’t feel anything as you’re driving, even though you’ll most likely be ploughing through obstacles. On top of that, bull bars protect your car from serious damage as well. Nothing ruins a good off-road trip like seeing a dent in a place where there shouldn’t be one, especially when knowing full well that you could have easily prevented it.

Lighting

Stock lights for cars are often underwhelming, especially when you’re driving off-road. Most people tend to completely forget that you can install custom lighting on your car, and they’re surprised when they see that you can find some great products on offer. During off-road sessions, you most likely want more than the baseline illumination. Without good lights, it can be quite difficult navigating the wilds, because at night you’ll most likely be far away from civilisation and any light pollution. If you can’t see, you just increase your chances of damaging your car, which a good lighting solution will certainly prevent.

Clean the Filters

Air filters have a tendency to clog very easily. Things like dust, pollen, smog, and a plethora of other contaminants can easily clog them, which means your driving cabin will get contaminated as well. It’s easy to understand why this might be such a big deal when off-roading. If you notice odours coming from the vents, strange noise coming from the fan, or if you feel like the airflow is reduced, then the vents might be due to cleaning. Cleaning the filters a few times with a damp cloth before replacing them is smart, but you’ll have to get them replaced at some point.

Lumbar Support

Last but certainly not least, lumbar support is extremely important in any given situation when you’re sitting for extended periods of time. That goes even more so for off-road driving, as you’re never going to sit still during driving. Good lumbar support will prevent any chronic and acute pain from backaches, muscle aches, arthritis, herniated disks, and much more. Lumbar support plays an enormous role in how long you can drive without feeling discomfort, and it should be the very first thing you take care of when getting a new vehicle.

Off-road driving is extremely pleasant. It’s something you can do for the thrill of an adventure, to just let your mind wander while you’re ploughing through the wilds, or even to just escape civilisation for a while. Off-road driving comfort is something you should absolutely look towards when planning your next trip because it might make or break the trip, especially if you’ve been feeling discomfort in the past.

The post How to Improve your Off-Road Driving Comfort appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.