Since I like to do a lot of traveling, as well as driving at night, I wanted to add some auxiliary lighting to the front of my 2016 Ford Expedition XLT 4×4. I also wanted to add some front bumper protection. I initially considered a full grill guard, but opted to install an Aries B35-3007-3 Stealth Bull Bar instead.
Installation isn’t that difficult, but you do lose your front tow hooks:
You have to remove the front bolt, and then loosen the back bolt so that the tow hook slides off of the frame.
A mounting bracket slides on in place of the tow hooks, and uses the factory tow hook bolts. If your Expedition didn’t come with tow hooks, the kit includes the necessary hardware.
I’m not going to show the photos of both sides. It’s just a repeat.
Once you have those mounting brackets in place, you can bolt the bull bar to them.
Here’s the Aries Bull Bar installed on the Ford Expedition.
It looks great, but I don’t like the skid plate. I feel like it obstructs some of the air entering the turbo’s intercooler, which could effect the 3.5L EcoBoost’s performance.
The skid plate is removable, and I chose to remove mine to ensure that the intercooler is getting as much air flow as possible.
Links:
Aries Bull Bar Installation Instructions
About The Author
Growing up, my father always believed that every family needed a truck—there’s just something about having a vehicle capable of hauling anything at a moment’s notice. That philosophy stuck with me, and it’s been the foundation of my lifelong passion for Ford trucks.
While I’m best known for my work with Ford Rangers, I’ve owned a wide variety of Ford trucks over the years—including F-150s, F-250s, F-350s, and even larger rigs like the Ford Excursion, Ford Expedition, and a 1982 Ford Econoline Sportsmobile camper van. I’ve used these vehicles for everything from family transportation to towing car trailers and campers, and each one has fueled my love for Ford’s versatility and durability.
I especially enjoy the styling of 1970s and 1980s Ford trucks—the bold designs, rugged presence, and classic charm are timeless. Sharing my passion for Ford trucks, vans, and SUVs with other enthusiasts online brings me a great deal of joy, and it’s why I created Blue Oval Trucks.
This website is dedicated to helping Ford truck enthusiasts explore, learn about, and celebrate these incredible vehicles. While I share my expertise and experiences here, Blue Oval Trucks is an independent enthusiast site and is not affiliated with Ford Motor Company.