The Importance of a Proper Nudge Bar on an Isuzu D-Max

Isuzu's D-Max has been extensively used to explore the bush by Aussies who love to traverse challenging terrain. But in doing so, you expose yourself to a lot of risk which without added protection can need up quite badly. Driving in the wild isn't the same as driving on the motorway and it's not just because of the terrain.

You need to pay attention to a higher number of factors when off-roading which is why getting all the help you need is crucial. Be it in the form of advice or an accessory, staying safe in the Outback is a must no matter how experienced you are.

Benefits of Nudge Bars

Source: youtube.com

Protection

What a nudge bar is primarily used for is to offer protection. Being installed on the front bumper means you get to protect your D-Max from getting damaged by frontal impacts. A sturdy nudge bar for Isuzu Dmax can keep internals such as the radiator safe from animal strikes, trees and rocks.

Accessories

If you taught that the use of nudge bars ends here, you're wrong. They can also be used to accommodate certain accessories as long as you go for one that has the correct mounting points. You can add lights, a winch, a UHF antenna and a sand flag.

Angling Approach

Not all nudge bars are made equal and some can hang low to protect even the lower end of your D-Max. This can severely affect your vehicle's angling approach but it will better protect it. You can choose to get a better angling approach or protection based on the design of the nudge bar 

Looks

The appearance of your D-Max with a nudge bar on it might not make it look like it's the most aggressive 4x4 rig in the area but it will sure make it more appealing. This also depends on the finish and material the nudge bar is made of.

Materials

Steel

A steel nudge bar for Isuzu Dmax is the most popular option as it makes for a reasonably priced bar that is quite strong and requires very little maintenance. You might need to upgrade your D-Max's suspension because of its weight but you will be safe from larger animals. You can also get a stainless steel nudge bar that is stronger and more durable than regular steel nudge bars but also more expensive.

Carbon Steel

If you're after an even stronger nudge bar you should consider getting one made of carbon steel. Carbon steel is not only tougher but also more affordable than stainless steel. Carbon steel nudge bars are also better at withstand harsher impacts.

Chrome-Plated Steel

A chrome-plated steel nudge bar is a great solution if you want something more appealing than the above options. This is essentially steel that has been coated in a chrome layer that only gives it a shiny finish and a tad better corrosion protection. There are no strength benefits here.

Aluminium

Despite being lighter than all the steel variants, aluminium nudge bars are quite popular since they are well strong for a metal that is so light. Aluminium comes with a naturally occuring anti-corrosive layer which means it can survive in extreme conditions without much maintenance from your side.

Plastic

With a plastic nudge bar you can expect no rust or corrosion since plastic doesn't do that. However, plastic nudge bars are not the best at providing good levels of protection especially not when off-roading. For an affordable nudge bar for Isuzu Dmax that can be used safely in urban areas one made of plastic is going to be sufficient. Anything else and you're putting yourself at great risk.

What Matters?

Source: ultimate9.co/au

ADR

A nudge bar that is in compliance with Australian Design Rules is simply put that is ADR compliant is a must as otherwise you're breaking the law. This is also important for safety reasons since ADR require the nudge bar to be designed in a way that is safe for both your vehicle and the animal or person on the other end.

Some of them include that the nudge bar must follow the shape of your D-Max and others require that the bar doesn't go over the width of the vehicle with the mirrors in mind. Also, the nudge bar must not go forward more than 100mm from its base. 

No matter how large or small the nudge bar is it should have rounded corners and edges with either rounded or chamfered flanges. A nudge bar also shouldn't obscure any driving lights be it auxiliary or not. The brackets must not be exposed and the bar should have ground clearance of more than 100mm.

Utility Points

Having the right utility points for extra functionality is also a must if you want to make use of your accessories. For instance, a tow point and a mounting point for a winch are not going to be the same therefore you need two different utility points.