Push bars

I’m parting ways with my ‘14 Tahoe and now have a ‘13 Suburban 2500, yes only made for Gov.

Knowing the frames are different, anyone know how I can re use my Go Rhino push bar on the Suburban? Is there a source for just new brackets to the frame?

What is the reason or benefit for the push bar?

5strmtrp said:

I’m parting ways with my ‘14 Tahoe and now have a ‘13 Suburban 2500, yes only made for Gov.

Knowing the frames are different, anyone know how I can re use my Go Rhino push bar on the Suburban? Is there a source for just new brackets to the frame?

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Did you look on their website for installation directions to see the difference? Or contact them? What did you do with the Tahoe?

OR VietVet said:

What is the reason or benefit for the push bar?

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The trade-off is, instead of using the front bumper as the initial crash impact structure, you're effectively using the frame right from the beginning.

Marky Dissod said:

The trade-off is, instead of using the front bumper as the initial crash impact structure, you're effectively using the frame right from the beginning.

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Right behind the bumper, is the frame. If the push bar helps with that frontal impact, then you need the push/impact bar at the rear and sides.

Plus, the push bar needs to be designed for ALL vehicles. Coupes, sedans, SUV's.....everything. All the way around.

Marky Dissod said:

The trade-off is, instead of using the front bumper as the initial crash impact structure, you're effectively using the frame right from the beginning.

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And losing all 'give' [impact absorption]. I don't necessarily see that as a benefit.

joe

OR VietVet said:

Right behind the bumper, is the frame. If the push bar helps with that frontal impact, then you need the push/impact bar at the rear and sides.

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The push bar in front 'helps' by protecting the plastic '5MpH bumper' structure in front.
The primary benefit is, even if the hood and the pushbar are damaged by a frontal strike, it's much harder to damage the radiator & condenser,
although not impossible. Basically, you're making the front crumple zone much tougher to crumple - they're frowned upon in Europe, for example.
(Europe basically looks to treat every pedestrian as blind people with near absolute rights to do whatever the hell, push bumpers 'get in the way' of that 'liberty'.)

The 2ndary benefit it's very helpful for actual pushing of other vehicles, and other stuff.
I've pushed other vehicles with my previous Caprices 9C1. The 9C1 with the pushbars made it MUCH easier.

homesick said:

And losing all 'give' [impact absorption]. I don't necessarily see that as a benefit.

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The impact absorption 'lost', protects the radiator / condenser, by transferring that 'responsibility' to the other vehicle / object in question.

I know some versions are called 'bull' bars. I wonder why more of those people haven't spoken up yet ... ?

Being from NYC, I'd actually like to have the incredibly basically utilitarian NYPD-version of a push bumper installed on my Tahoe's front bumper.
Sticks out less than 4", with high durometer rubber pads making (intentional?) contact with whatever in front.

Generally, I've no issue with them. I've nearly been a victim of people stopping on the highway and trying to back into me and SAY I rammed them.
A good enough push bumper might be a decent deterrent?

Mild digression
A major reason why I want to make my Tahoe handle swerves better than it does is because
I BARELY managed to swerve the Tahoe out of the way of an @$$hole that tried to stop and back into me.
They did succeed in backing into someone behind me who failed to swerve or stop in time to get front-ended by that @$$hole's ... rear.
Glad we witnessed it and absolve the innocent driver of any wrongdoing.

I think the push bumper might absorb 10 mph of impact before it collapses. And if a slower speed crash, might save your radiator.
High enough speeds and it'll probably buckle right into your radiator, but it most likely would be damaged without a bar in that case..

Mine has a couple upper tabs to the radiator support..
Maybe it would bend the radiator support when a bumper could have absorbed the impact?

Mainly I use it as a step to access the engine compartment.. and a lightbar mount..
But I like thinking I could push a car if needed..

Back to the OP's question, maybe brackets designed for the previous model 2500's would fit?

I use mine as a tool shelf when working under the hood and checking fluids and such. As something to grab onto when climbing up out from under the front end.

It took a good side impact hit when someone merged into my l/f and saved some damage from the plastic bumper. When I got a flat last year on my lowers suspension I used it as a jack point to help get it up off the ground enough to get a good bite on the LCA/frame.

I still have yet to use it to push another vehicle but I have been dying to since I installed it.

mikez71 said:

I like thinking I could push a car if needed.

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89Suburban said:

I still have yet to use it to push another vehicle ...

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Trick is to make contact as gently as possible, to push, not to bump or hit.
Always thought that more rubber & less steel would improve their function further.

89Suburban said:

Did you look on their website for installation directions to see the difference? Or contact them? What did you do with the Tahoe?

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Tahoe is up for sale, can send pics if interested. Needs nothing was a detectives take home, has 1 hole in the roof & spotlight that kinda works. contacted a company that said they didn’t provide push bars for the the suburban.

5strmtrp said:

I’m parting ways with my ‘14 Tahoe and now have a ‘13 Suburban 2500, yes only made for Gov.

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That part in red - incorrect. Anyone could buy a GMT900 2500 from a dealer. You're probably confusing the 2016-2019 Suburban 3500HD, which was indeed only available to fleet customers (could be non-gov't fleet).

The new Suburbans being made for SS and DSS are indeed Gov't only.

Back to your 2013 - GoRhino absolutely made a push bar for the 2500 Suburban. I bought one from them. The only difference with what you have is probably the mounting hardware. Call them and ask if they have it for sale.

Push bars are exactly that - they're meant to push vehicles gently. They're not protection. In fact, quite the opposite. Insurance adjusters call them damage multipliers because they'll cause additional damage in a small fender bender.

mikez71 said:

Mainly I use it as a step to access the engine compartment.. and a lightbar mount..

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89Suburban said:

I use mine as a tool shelf when working under the hood and checking fluids and such.

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A step and a shelf. See now these are the real reasons we install push bars, who cares about front end crash safety?

JoeBlobs said:

A step and a shelf. See now these are the real reasons we install push bars, who cares about front end crash safety?

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All I know is this: If a customer wants me to work on their vehicle and at any time, I have to work around a "push bar", the price of the work goes up significantly.

intheburbs said:

.. They're not protection. In fact, quite the opposite. Insurance adjusters call them damage multipliers because they'll cause additional damage in a small fender bender.

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Agreed, small fender benders can often be absorbed by the foam bumpers. For bigger accidents, I doubt it impacts safety one way or the other.

OR VietVet said:

All I know is this: If a customer wants me to work on their vehicle and at any time, I have to work around a "push bar", the price of the work goes up significantly.

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I find it makes engine work easier. It's only in the way for bumper removal?

Though it is a pain to hold it and line up the holes by yourself.. I might put it on a floor jack next time..

I backed into a pole yesterday, in a CVS parking lot. I knew it was there, and was watching it closely as I backed. But, Lord help me, there were 2 poles, and I was watching the wrong one.

So, LOL, anyone know of a good REAR push bar?

joe

Remember the big bumpers of the 70's where that's how you could tell when you back up enough? When you felt a little bump?

mikez71 said:

Remember the big bumpers of the 70's where that's how you could tell when you back up enough? When you felt a little bump?

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I could've done that, and damaged only the dirt, if I'd just been looking at the right pole.

I'm pretty unhappy with me.

joe

"Back up till you hear glass or smell blood"!!!!!!!!