Today we install a nudge bar to the front bumper of our Ford Transit. A nudge bar offers some protection to the factory bumper against small impacts, allows to mount accessories on such as LED, and we think it looks pretty awesome on our van! Mad props to Flatline Van Co for coming up with a minimalist design that blends beautifully with the curves of the Transit, that’s easy to install and light-weight. Let’s go!
Table Of Content
- Time
- Cost
- Material
- Tools
- Resources
- Ford Transit Nudge Bar Installation
- Sensors Interference
- Front Camera Obstruction
- Nudge Bar vs Bull Bar
- On Second Thought
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Time
45 min
Cost
$895 USD
Weight
20 lbs
Material
| Item | Description | Quantity | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flatline Van Co Nudge Bar | Nudge bar for the Ford Transit (2015-present). All necessary hardware included. | 1 | Flatline Van Co |
| Blue Loctite | 1 | Amazon |
Tools
- Ratchet with 10mm & 13mm sockets
- #2 Philips Screwdriver
- 5/32 Allen Key
Ford Transit Nudge Bar Installation
1. Remove the license plate Bracket from the bumper
The license plate bracket is attached to the Transit front bumper with rivets. Drilling them out didn’t work for us because they spun, so we used a Dremel instead. The plastic holding the rivets softened before we could complete the cut, so we simply pulled and the bracket came out of the bumper. Good enough!
2. Remove the two bolts behind the license plate
You’ll find two bolts under the license plate bracket, remove them:
3. Clean the front bumper
This place will be hard to reach after the new nudge bar is installed, take this opportunity to give it a quick wash!
4. Place hardware into the nudge bar and install to the van
Place the hardware into the nudge bar (bolt -> washer -> nudge bar -> spacer) and install it to the Transit bumper:
NOTE: As recommended per Flatline Van Co, we add some blue Loctite on the bolts before threading them into the bumper.
5. Reinstall the license plate
5.1. Remove the two factory bolts under the bumper
(Keep them for reinstallation)
5.2. Loosely install the four 1/4-20 screws to the front plate
NOTE: As recommended per Flatline Van Co, we add some blue Loctite on the screws before threading them.
5.3. Loosely Reinstall the two bolts from step 5.1
NOTE: It’s a bit hard to locate the threaded holes in the bumper. I found it easier to place the bolts onto the bit of the power drill, then push up while screwing.
5.4. Tighten the four 1/4-20 screws from step 5.2 and after the two bolts from step 5.3
5.5. Install the licence plate
NOTE: As recommended per Flatline Van Co, we add some blue Loctite on the screws before threading them.
6. That’s it!
Good job!
Installation Video
And here is a video time-lapse of the whole nudge bar installation process:
Sensors Interference (Adaptive Cruise Control, Park Aid, etc)
There are optional sensors located in the Ford Transit front bumper:
- Adaptive cruise control sensors.
- Park Aid sensors.
We confirm these were taken into account in the design and the Flatline Van Co Nudge Bar does not interfere with these sensors.
Front Camera Obstruction
We don’t have a front camera (Parking Aids – 360 Degree Camera) on our Transit, but below is what to expect if you do have a cam:
Nudge Bar vs Bull Bar
Both nudge bars and bull bars are installed on the van’s front end, but there are a few differences between them:
Nudge Bar
A nudge bar is designed for minor incidents and bumps and enables to install accessories such as LED lights or antennas. Nudge bars usually cover less area and are made of lightweight aluminum. It won’t protect if hitting another vehicle or animal at high speed, and should not be used as a recovery device (winch, tow, etc.).
Bull Bar
A bull bar offers more protection, is sturdier (most often made of steel rather than aluminum), and covers a larger area compared to a nudge bar (they often interfere with adaptive cruise control radar and park aid sensors, thus disabling these features). It is heavier, attached to the structure of the vehicle and can be used as an off-road recovery device (winch mount or tow strap).
On Second Thought…
First Impressions
We were not really into the market for a nudge bar, but we honestly like what Flatline Van Co came up with! It looks really good on our van, the installation couldn’t be any simpler, and so far this thing is solid and didn’t add any wind noise at high speed. So far so good!
Long Term Review
We might add LED lights eventually, wait for it!
Hi , nudge bar looks great, is there any visual obstruction of the front cam or is it minimal and not an issue, thanks good job.
Just added a snapshot here! https://faroutride.com/ford-transit-nudge-bar/#front-cam-obstruction
🙂
The bull bar connect’s directly to the body frame and increases the risk to ‘total’ the vehicule in case of an incident. You’d agree with this ?
Hi, the usage of this bumper modification is to prevent from accident with wildlife? Doesn’t these bumper connect directly to the body frame and increases the risk to ‘total’ the vehicule in case of an incident?