grill guards- form or function?

[JCUZ]

Now fitted some old driving lights I had lying around; they're a bit small, but with the HID kit I have in the normal lights, they're really only there for "fill".

 

[RoadBully]

Nice explorer.

 

[helmsa]

Has anybody used the GO RHINO bar like the one listed here. I don't want the side wraps on mine, but just the push bar. I know that law enforcement vehicles use GO RHINO regularly. Any feedback would be great.

 

[chris's2005]

I assume you mean something like this:

They bolt to the chassis rails (where the tow hooks come standard), and some even have a mid mount that bolts up under the lower grille opening into the metal of the front bumper bar. So to say they hit your body work would suggest that those this has happened to haven't secured it very well at all.

They offer limited protection - in fact, here (in Oz), we call them "Nudge" bars, as they will take the odd nudge, bang or scrape, but in a big impact, say with a Kangaroo or a cow, you'd be better off with a full 4 post bull bar like the one below:

I have voted with my feet on this one - I've just spent the weekend painting a second hand nudge bar; I went for a hammer coat charcoal finish, which should match the plastic trim on my XLT.

HEY JCUZ, WERE DID YOU FIND THE SECOND PICTURE!!

that is EXACTLY what i want

 

[blue_goose]

HEY JCUZ, WERE DID YOU FIND THE SECOND PICTURE!!

that is EXACTLY what i want

Me too, I have never found a front bumper for this thing. I already know its outta my price range, but do they have something with less bling, say in black? all that chrome on my X would make it look pretty bad, not to mention when I hit something it would scuff too easliy.

 

[loaderopp]

after having hit 3 deer on the highway i put one on my other truck, but i have yet to put one on my Ex, ,
i had my other truck fixed by the insurance company , deer was dead, but the damage was about $3200 , and i was going slow,, that was just one,, i have had 3,
way more expensive than a grill guard,

Pretty expensive way to hunt, try a bullet

 

[JoeCool6972]

Pretty expensive way to hunt, try a bullet

LOL!!! :

On a serious note, I am thinking of getting a push/bull bar myself. Trying to decide on chrome or black. What ya'll think?

 

[chris's2005]

LOL!!! :

On a serious note, I am thinking of getting a push/bull bar myself. Trying to decide on chrome or black. What ya'll think?

DEF black becuase you got enough chrome already

 

[marine7626]

I have a shot at a nice grille guard that looks like a Westin or Manik, or one of the other top brands, I'm not sure which. However, I am apprehensive about these. I really want one because I like the look, but most importantly I really need some protection on the front end. I have heard these are more for show than anything else. I need something that can take abuse (somethimes rather harsh abuse), and was wondering if this would help me, as I have heard that they just slam into your front end everytime you hit something and do more harm than good and I have also heard that they can do a good job protecting things up front and am not sure what to think. Any ideas?

Something to think about when you or if you do buy one of these is the way it mounts to your vehicle. I have an '05 X with a Westin full guard. When I was mounting it to the frame I realized that there was too much play in the multiple bolt holes that came factory. I had a buddy help me eye out the best placement after it was bolted to the frame then I welded the guard to the bolted brackets. If I ever need to remove the guard I just unbolt it from the frame and take the whole thing off at once. This has (and will again I'm sure) kept the deer from sending my guard into my hood or lights. Any questions just let me know and I will try to get some pics of what I am talking about. Hope this helps.

 

[loaderopp]

well i would go black.

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

Something to think about when you or if you do buy one of these is the way it mounts to your vehicle. I have an '05 X with a Westin full guard. When I was mounting it to the frame I realized that there was too much play in the multiple bolt holes that came factory. I had a buddy help me eye out the best placement after it was bolted to the frame then I welded the guard to the bolted brackets. If I ever need to remove the guard I just unbolt it from the frame and take the whole thing off at once. This has (and will again I'm sure) kept the deer from sending my guard into my hood or lights. Any questions just let me know and I will try to get some pics of what I am talking about. Hope this helps.

Could I please see a picture of your weld job/brackets?

I have a Westin full grill guard as well. I was able to push my friend's silverado up a hill with it. Seems sturdy enough. My grill guard is just like this one too:

 

[TFCeddieB]

Westin

I'm happy with the Westin...