Buying guide
How to choose vehicle protection
Underbody plates, side steps, rock sliders and rear bars protect the parts of your vehicle that take the hits off-road. Each one does a different job, so match it to how you drive.
- Steps or sliders
Side steps are for getting in and out and protecting the sills. Rock sliders are built to take the vehicle's weight on rocks and ledges (ARB).
- Underneath
Underbody plates protect the sump, steering and transmission from rocks and logs. Check which sections suit your model and whether they work with your bull bar.
- Rear bars and towing
When a rear bar includes a tow hitch, use the lower of the bar's rating and your vehicle's towing rating. Your number plate must stay upright, no higher than 1.3 m and readable from 20 m.
- Mud flaps and Rock Tamers
Mudflaps are an approved modification in Victoria (VSI 8). Rock Tamers mount in a 50 mm hitch receiver and should sit at least 100 mm off the ground when loaded (Clearview).
Choosing the right vehicle protection
Fitment comes first. Bars and steps are engineered for a specific make, model, year and body style, so a bar built for a Ram 1500 DT will not bolt onto a Silverado. Check your exact variant before ordering, as even close siblings like the Ford F250 and F350 use different part numbers.
For frontal protection, airbag compatibility is the non-negotiable. A properly engineered bull bar is designed to work with your vehicle's airbag triggering system and to meet Australian Design Rules, so stick with proven brands rather than unbranded imports. If a winch is on the cards, even later on, choose a winch compatible bar from the start, because standard bars lack the reinforced cradle a winch load requires.
Think about weight too. Alloy bars, like those ECB builds, keep kilograms off the front axle, which helps payload and steering feel. At the back, a Kaymar rear bar replaces the standard bumper with a stronger structure and can carry a spare wheel or jerry can on swing-away arms.
Related categories
Common questions
What's the difference between side steps and rock sliders?
Side steps help you climb in and protect the sills from light knocks. Rock sliders are built to take the vehicle's weight when it comes down on a rock or ledge (ARB).
Can I jack the vehicle from side steps?
Only if the maker rates the step for it. Check the product's specifications, and use the vehicle maker's jacking points otherwise.
Does a rear bar change my towing capacity?
The lower rating always applies: the bar or hitch rating, or your vehicle's towing rating, whichever is less. A wheel carrier adds weight behind the rear axle too.
Where must my number plate be?
Upright, no higher than 1.3 m from the ground, and readable from 20 m (Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulations 2021, reg 63).
How do Rock Tamers mount?
They slide into a 50 mm hitch receiver with no drilling, and need at least 25.4 mm of clearance. Clearview recommends removing them for car washes and notes they won't stop all mess.
