Can someone with a 95-98 X please clarify this for me?

[MattStarr]

I am getting a Manik one-piece brushguard. I have heard different things from alot of people on whether you have to cut the lower airdam. yob_yeknom says you do, tenikwon says you dont. If anyone has a picture or any input, I would like to hear about it. I just wanna know if you do or dont. Thanks guys.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I thought that the 98 was the first year for the new front bumper? If so that may explain the 2 diff answers.

 

[espnfreak]

99 is the first year

Jason

 

[Texplorer]

It depends on which brushguard you get, certain ones you have to cut. With mine I didnt have to cut anything, it bends under the lower valence. 99 was the first year for the new front bumpers.

 

[explr1]

Yes, you do have to cut two slots in the lower airdam for the Manik guard to fit. Heres a pic showing the guard mounting bracket from the right wheel well. You can see the cut out you will have to make on the airdam.

 

[MattStarr]

explr1~ Thanks for the photo.... Is it a big deal to cut the bumper? I just wanna know if you will be able to notice the cut in the bumper, I really dont want it to look bad. Do you by chance have a picture from the front? Thanks buddy.

 

[MattStarr]

Texplorer~ Which type of brushguard do you have that requires no cutting?

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

I guess it really depends on what type of lower bumper valance you have. If you have the one with fog lights, then you don't have to cut the bumper. If you have the one without, then you have to cut the bumper.

 

[Cartman]

I can't comment on the Manix but for my Westin there was no cutting required.

 

[Texplorer]

I have a Westin Sportsman Brushguard. I also have the valence without the fogs and I didnt need to cut. Let me find a pic and I will post it.

 

[Texplorer]

Here it is. Westin Sportsman Brushguard.

 

[explr1]

This is the only front shot I have now, not really a close up. You don't notice the cuts at all from the front though. The Westins don't require cutting the airdam, but they also hang down lower, and can get hung up on things offroading.

 

[MattStarr]

My front airdam DOES have the factory fog lights..... Does this mean I wont have to cut?

 

[Nate1]

Get the manik, you will have to make two slits to allow the brushguard through, honestly like this wide | | get the westin, and it will hang down past the airdam, so you will have another low point, but no cutting. The choice is yours.

 

[MattStarr]

explr1~ How come your bars in the front of your grilles are ---|--|---.......and not at an angle ---\--/---....... (the crossbars).... I thought manik made them angled?

 

[explr1]

Originally posted by MattStarr
explr1~ How come your bars in the front of your grilles are ---|--|---.......and not at an angle ---\--/---....... (the crossbars).... I thought manik made them angled?

Yes, Manik does make both styles. I went with the straight style because I just liked it better. Plus if I need to pull the light housing out I won't have to unbolt and tilt the whole guard forward. You will have to do this with the Y design bars.

 

[Texplorer]

Originally posted by explr1
Yes, Plus if I need to pull the light housing out I won't have to unbolt and tilt the whole guard forward. You will have to do this with the Y design bars.

I didnt know you had to do that to take the lights out with the Manik ones. Im glad I didnt go with the Manik now. I dont have to do that with my Westin

 

[Nate1]

Originally posted by explr1
Yes, Manik does make both styles. I went with the straight style because I just liked it better. Plus if I need to pull the light housing out I won't have to unbolt and tilt the whole guard forward. You will have to do this with the Y design bars.

No you dont. The brush inserts are held in by 3 bolts, so it is easy to change your lights. It takes 30 seconds to remove them, some people may even like the look without them.

-----Nate

 

[MattStarr]

If there are 2 different styles, how do you make sure you order the right one? Are they different model #'s or do you just tell them when you order?

 

[explr1]

Originally posted by nweibley
No you dont. The brush inserts are held in by 3 bolts,

Right the light guards inserts do come off. I was talking about the \--/ part of the push bar bends as seen in the pic of the Westin guard. It's a little hard to get a big hand in between the back of the bar and light to pull the housings, even with the inserts out. On a side note, whats up with the holes in the Westin's push bar side plates?