Ford Ranger Next Gen Bullbar Guide (2022+): Loop, Hoopless, and Comp-Spec Options

The 2022+ Ford Ranger Next Gen (Raptor, Wildtrak X, XLT, Sport, XL) is an absolute weapon straight out of the dealer — but it rolls off the showroom floor with a plastic bumper and a suite of ADAS cameras that were never designed for a roo strike at 90kph. If you're using the Ranger for what it's built for — remote touring, station work, or genuine off-road use — a proper bullbar is not optional.

The Next Gen platform is substantially different to the PX3 and earlier Rangers, and it's caught a few bullbar buyers out. This guide covers what fits, what's ADR-legal, how to protect your ADAS without disabling it, and what you'll actually pay landed in Australia.

The Next Gen is not a PX3 — don't buy a PX3 bar

The 2022+ Ranger is a ground-up redesign. Wider track, longer wheelbase, new chassis mounts, reshaped front bumper, repositioned radar for ACC, and a different headlight housing. A PX3 bullbar will not bolt on. Any bar you buy needs to be engineered specifically for the Next Gen platform. Check that the product description mentions "Next Gen" or "T6.2" or "PY" — not "PX3" or "T6".

Browse our verified-fit Ford Ranger collection for bars specifically engineered for the Next Gen chassis.

ADR compliance and ADAS — the non-negotiables

Next Gen Rangers come with Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, AEB, and Lane Keep Assist as standard or near-standard. Behind the grille sits a 77GHz radar unit, and the front camera lives behind the windscreen. A bullbar that blocks or misaligns the radar will throw permanent ADAS faults — and in some cases will disable the AEB altogether.

What to look for:

  • AS 4876.1-2002 and ADR 69 compliance (airbag-safe).
  • Radar-transparent section or a cutout specifically sized for the Next Gen radar housing.
  • Camera-clearance design — no obstruction of the windscreen camera's field of view.
  • Sensor pods for the six front parking sensors (on trims that have them).

If the bar doesn't explicitly state ADAS compatibility for the Next Gen, don't buy it. Full stop.

Loop, hoopless, or comp bar?

Single-loop (hoop) bullbar

The mainstream choice. A single overhead hoop gives you bonnet protection, aerial mounting points, and light-bar provision. Suits touring builds, daily drivers, and most station-work Rangers. Typically 80-100kg for steel, 50-70kg for alloy.

Hoopless / comp bar

No overhead hoop. Maximum approach angle, best recovery access, and a cleaner look. Great for hardcore off-roaders and Raptor owners who want to retain the aggressive stance. Offers less animal-strike protection — if you're doing regular outback highway km, go with a hoop bar.

Three-loop / commercial bar

Heavy-duty with additional loops around the grille and headlights. Common on fleet Rangers and mine-spec builds. Overkill for a weekend tourer.

Winch compatibility on the Next Gen

The Next Gen has room for up to a 12,000lb winch in most bars, but the factory chassis mount points are different to the PX3, and most genuine Next Gen bars will include integrated winch cradles rated specifically for the new platform. Confirm:

  • Mounting pattern (254 x 114mm is standard for most 9500-12000lb winches).
  • Control box placement (some Next Gen bars cannot accept a winch with an integrated top-mounted control box — look for a bar with external control box provision).
  • Rated recovery points — two front rated points (minimum 5000kg each) should be integrated, not bolted as an afterthought.

Alloy vs steel on the Next Gen

The Next Gen Ranger is heavier than the PX3 — about 80kg more on the front axle with the new 3.0L V6 turbo diesel. That matters for front payload. An alloy bar saves roughly 35-45kg over the steel equivalent and is the right choice for most touring builds. Steel still wins for:

  • Remote / station work where roo strikes are routine.
  • Winching heavy recoveries as part of regular use.
  • Fleet applications with long service lives.

Coastal corrosion is real. If the ute lives within 20km of salt air, alloy or powder-coated steel are both smart — bare or raw steel will surface-rust within a season.

Raptor-specific considerations

The Next Gen Raptor is its own beast. Wider track, Fox live-valve shocks, revised wheelbase, and a unique front bumper with additional cooling ducts. Standard Next Gen bars will NOT fit a Raptor — you need a Raptor-specific bar. Key differences:

  • Widened track means wider bar profile and repositioned indicator housings.
  • Front camera placement is different (centre-mounted behind the Ford badge).
  • Additional cooling intakes that the bar must not block.

Raptor-specific bullbars run $2,800 - $4,200 depending on brand and material.

Pricing: what you'll pay, shipped

  • Alloy hoop bar (non-Raptor): $1,690 - $2,190
  • Steel hoop bar, winch-ready: $2,190 - $2,890
  • Steel comp / hoopless bar with rated recovery points: $2,490 - $3,290
  • Premium Next Gen Raptor bar: $2,890 - $4,290
  • Fleet / commercial triple-loop: $2,800 - $3,700

Professional fitting is $500-$900 in metro areas. DIY is possible but the ADAS re-calibration is a trap — most fitters will charge $150-$250 to re-calibrate radar and camera alignment after the bar is fitted, and it's worth it.

Fitting notes — what to expect

  • Plan 4-5 hours for a careful DIY fit. Two people minimum.
  • Factory bumper comes off in one piece (unlike the PX3 which was three).
  • Radar unit transfers to the new bar — every reputable Next Gen bar includes a radar relocation bracket in the kit.
  • Parking sensor pods plug straight into the factory loom — no splicing.
  • Fog lights and DRLs either relocate to the bar or are replaced by new units — check the kit contents.
  • ADAS self-calibration usually happens automatically after 10-20 minutes of normal driving, but a scan tool can force-calibrate if the faults don't clear.

Three mistakes Next Gen Ranger owners make

  1. Buying a bar listed as "PX3/Next Gen compatible". It's not. The two platforms share almost no bodywork. Buy Next Gen-specific.
  2. Ignoring the ADAS spec. A bar that blocks the radar will throw a fault the first time you engage ACC — and in some cases, it'll permanently disable AEB, which is a roadworthy fail.
  3. Mixing Raptor and non-Raptor parts. The bumper geometry is genuinely different. Always order to the exact variant.

GVM and front payload

The Next Gen Ranger's stock front axle rating is 1480kg. A typical steel bullbar + winch + spotties adds 130-150kg on top of factory curb weight. That's fine on a lightly-built Ranger, but on a fully-accessorised tourer (UHF, roof console, secondary battery, long-range tank) you want to think about a GVM upgrade early. Factory GVM on the Next Gen is 3230kg (wagon) or 3350kg (dual cab), and a Stage 1 GVM upgrade lifts that to 3510-3600kg depending on the engineering package.

Why buy from Kren Bits

We only stock Next Gen-specific bars from brands with engineered ADAS compatibility certification. Every bar ships Australia-wide on pallet freight, insured and tracked. Most metro postcodes see delivery within 7-10 business days. We'll match you to the right bar based on your Next Gen variant (XLT, Sport, Wildtrak, Wildtrak X, Raptor), your touring style, and your budget.

Browse the Ford Ranger collection or all bullbars to start. Questions? Send us your rego and we'll confirm exact fitment and quote freight to your postcode within a day.

ADR compliance documentation supplied with every bar. Minimum 2-year structural warranty.

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