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I have a 2008 F250 with the V10 as you can see below. The truck isn't driven a lot, but mostly used for fishing, hunting, and camping. I want to make the front end look a bit beefier by adding a bull bar. I'm not a fan of the full-size brush guards. In sticking with the XL color scheme (dark blue with black bumpers/grille/wheels), I want a black bull bar. Also, I understand that there is very little functionality with these bars.
Any opinion as to whether I should get a Smittybilt or Steelcraft bull bar? The Smittybilt is about $30 cheaper, but they both have the same specifications per the manufacturers. Any personal experiences with either.
There are a few differences between these bull bars. The Smittybilt uses 3" diameter tubing while the Steelcraft uses 2.5" diameter tubing. The Smittybilt has 7 ducts for cooling while the Steelcraft has 5 ducts for cooling. As you have stated, these bull bars are not functional pieces but are for appearance.
save your money for something else. My dad has a Smittybilt bull bar on his 2000 F350, i have a stainless westin brush guard on my F350 and they suck! My dad had someone back into his truck in a parking lot and when he came out the cops was there and the lady backed into his bull bar the brackets bent and then smashed in the front bumper in two spots. What should have been just a new plastic valance caused almost a grand for the new bull bar and new front bumper. My brush guard is strictly for looks only. I had a local welder weld in 1/4" stainless gussets all over the mounting brackets so now the brush guard doesn't jiggle down the road and it wont bend back into my front end if someone does hit it.