having problems with grill guard

[clarkkent]

i bought a manik grill guard awhile ago and have had it instaled on for awhile now.. and i've noticed that the girll guard doesnt sit as close to my grill as i would want it too or even as close to as it should... i noticed it especially when i installed my black magic fog lamps on to the grill.. the fog lamps point down... is this because i drive a mountaineer, and the mountaineer has a bigger lip then the explorer?

 

[Bottomlesspit]

I have a grill guard on my 99 Explorer. From my experience, there are a couple of things you can check. First, I don't think the Mounty has anything that should make the fit that different. Also, are you sure the guard was for a 2000 model? I found through my local dealer that there were minor differences in all the guards he had for different years.
Now...I know what you mean about fit. I got lazy and had this dealer install my guard for me. I should have done it myself since it is so easy...but.....
Anyway, when I went out and looked at it I could not believe how it looked. It looked crooked, way too far out from the bumper, etc. I had them straighten it out but was never totally happy how it looked. Finally, I removed the mounting bolts and did it myself. It looks a lot better now. I had to add a couple of spacers to the bolts, and slightly ream out one mounting hole, but it went back into place real easy.
I would say, go out and climb under your Mounty and take a look at how it is all hooked up. You might be able to do some adjusting.
That's about all I can think of. Good luck and keep us informed.
Ken

 

[jimbo74]

cut the lip, and bend it up

 

[explr1]

Originally posted by clarkkent
my black magic fog lamps on to the grill.. the fog lamps point down...

Don't the lamps adjust for elevation? I have a Manik also and recently have been VERY unhappy with it. I have to retorque the bolts every three or four months because they like to loosen up over time. Last week I tried to push a car out a snow bank, and the grill guard bent! I had to push it out in reverse, I also have a WAAG rear bumper guard which is a lot smaller but WAY stronger!!! I have the black powder coated Manik, maybe the stainless steel model would have been stronger.

 

[clarkkent]

yeh when i installed it.. i had to cut slits in the bumper at the bottom so that it'd fit.. but still.. the grill guard sits at a angle... imma have to look into the year of my grill guard.. maybe my parts store ordered the 99 version or sumpin.. rite now the guys at the part store know about my problem and are trying to get different brackets!!

 

[DarkFox1]

same here, small cuts had to be made at the bottom of the bumper (plastic part, no biggie) to make the guard clear at the base.

mines stainless, it doesn't really get used as its designed but I'm confident that if it had to be used for its purpose it would hold up well. Stainless is very strong.

When mine was 1st installed I had the problem with the bolts coming loose but after they were torqued down, it seems fine now. It shakes when I close my door tho.. I assume from a lack of top-of-bumper support, thats a lot of frontal weight to put on the frame down there, so I expect it to shake like that, its not bad.. just noticable

 

[Yomie]

Re: Re: having problems with grill guard

Originally posted by explr1
I have to retorque the bolts every three or four months because they like to loosen up over time.

Originally posted by DarkFox1
When mine was 1st installed I had the problem with the bolts coming loose but after they were torqued down, it seems fine now.

Thats what LockTite is for

 

[X~FACTOR]

You know what you need!...

a Grinder!!!

Grind the SOB man! Make it contour your bumper. That's what I did with mine.

Now if I only knew how to post pictures...