Lets talk bug deflectors/hood guards...

bowtie_pasta · January 28, 2006

What is the best one out there for my Tahoe? I want something clean looking and well built. I see a lot of funky trashy ones that's why I ask. I want something that's quality built.

Thanks,

Roland

Shaners · January 28, 2006

I've always been partial to the Deflectashield Bugflector II. I know alot of people have been very happy with their Lund bugshields also.

bowtie_pasta · January 28, 2006

Another question here...do they really work at keeping bugs and road debris from wrecking your paint or is it more of a style thing?

pm26 · January 28, 2006

I have decided to apply 3M paint protective clear film on the front hood edge of my truck. This decision came after I bought a GM bug deflector for my truck and tried to install it. It is a piss-poor fit and it does not follow the hood edge contour and the middle of the hood edge presses against the shield. Which means that the paint will get rubed off in no time at all. To make things even more insulting, the mounting clips for the deflector, once inserted, will not come out, and the local dealer who sold me the shield claims that there is nothing wrong with the design of the shield and refuses to take it back. Well, I was not born yesterday and installed quite a few of these on other vehicles. This is by far the worst fit. In addition, the second page of the shield installation instructions has nothing to do with this shield and describes installation of some windshield edge moulding. So you never know where they meant to apply the supplied two sided tape. Does somebody at GM actually check these instructions for accuracy?

I am slowly discovering that GM accessories are pain in the butt to install. For example, the front mudflaps for my truck came with square plastic inserts that they tell you to put in a round hole! Like they are not going to rotate when you try to force a screw through and expand them! I had to reuse the original plastic snaps instead.

firefighteremt3100 · January 28, 2006

Another question here...do they really work at keeping bugs and road debris from wrecking your paint or is it more of a style thing?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I use the Bug Deflector II one that is the smoke colored one. I have had them on my last 3 trucks and they have held up very well. I think its a good idea to have them on your vehicle. My parents have one that doesnt have one on it and the front end of the hood is starting to have the paint chipped in spots from road debris.

Crabhart5.3 · January 28, 2006

I love the one that came with my truck. I believe it's an AVS. Complements the lines well and it's pretty strong.

bowtie_pasta · January 28, 2006

Ok, you guys are great!

More questions...how do most of them attach? Double sided tape?

Brian - how was the fit and finish on your Bug Deflector II? I'm leaning towards the Deflecta Shield Magnum.

tokabi · January 28, 2006

My burb came with a Lund that really sets off the front end. It's fairly rigid and has good claerance from the topside of the hood. It is attached to the underside of the hood with screws. No tape that i can see.

R Dogg 56 · January 28, 2006

I know alot of people have been very happy with their Lund bugshields also.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Count me in for a vote on Lund.

pm26 · January 28, 2006

RDogg,

how are those Putco chrome door and tailgate handle covers? Are these just thin veneers that stick over the existing bezels? Do you have to take anything apart to install them? Do they peel after installation?

I can get a set of body color painted door handles and bezels (4 of them for $ 128. However, to install these, I am sure one must take off the inside door panels.

MS3DALE · January 28, 2006

I have decided to apply 3M paint protective clear film on the front hood edge of my truck. This decision came after I bought a GM bug deflector for my truck and tried to install it. It is a piss-poor fit and it does not follow the hood edge contour and the middle of the hood edge presses against the shield. Which means that the paint will get rubed off in no time at all. To make things even more insulting, the mounting clips for the deflector, once inserted, will not come out, and the local dealer who sold me the shield claims that there is nothing wrong with the design of the shield and refuses to take it back. Well, I was not born yesterday and installed quite a few of these on other vehicles. This is by far the worst fit. In addition, the second page of the shield installation instructions has nothing to do with this shield and describes installation of some windshield edge moulding. So you never know where they meant to apply the supplied two sided tape. Does somebody at GM actually check these instructions for accuracy?

I am slowly discovering that GM accessories are pain in the butt to install. For example, the front mudflaps for my truck came with square plastic inserts that they tell you to put in a round hole! Like they are not going to rotate when you try to force a screw through and expand them! I had to reuse the original plastic snaps instead.

Hey Pete,

I have sold (and installed) many of the GM hood deflectors,including ones for the '05 HD's and all the '06's with the "Domed Hood" and never have had an issue with any rubbing or hitting the hood and taking off paint,It could be possible that the one you got somehow got "warped" or maybe it somehow got molded wrong,The dealer should have offered you another one or given you a refund if you wanted.(All GM accessories have a warranty)

On your instructions you maybe missing a page,The double-sided tape goes underneath the side windshield mouldings,These trucks tend to make the side windshield mouldings "flap" and create a rattle when your going down the road at highway speeds with a hood deflector installed.You simply remove the side mouldings,clean the windshield,lay down the double-sided tape and reinstall the mouldings,This way the mouldings are taped-down to the windshield and cannot "flap" or create a rattle.(Some guys on here use silicone or urethane to glue them down)

And your right on the front moulded splash guards,I too just used the original plastic rivets,I never could get that stupid square plug in that round hole! The GM engineers must have forgotten when they were in grade school and tried to put a square peg in a round hole!

Shaners · January 28, 2006

Ok, you guys are great!

More questions...how do most of them attach? Double sided tape?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They come with plastic inserts that slip into the holes under the front lip of the hood. You just run a few screws into these plastic inserts to hold the bugflector on.

If you have never installed one before, your installation time will be about 5 minutes. If you are a seasoned installer, you can probably get the job done in less than half the time.

firefighteremt3100 · January 28, 2006

Ok, you guys are great!

More questions...how do most of them attach? Double sided tape?

Brian - how was the fit and finish on your Bug Deflector II? I'm leaning towards the Deflecta Shield Magnum.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Most of them come with the 3M double sided tape along with screws with special plastic inserts that go into the "square" holes on the underside of the hood. This is how it was on my 2004 Silverado. Plug the peg in, hold the bug shield up, then screw in the screw. Pretty easy install and looks sharp when completed. I actually didn't like the front ends of the 2004s until I put a bug guard on it. I think it completes it. I would stay away from the double sided tape. I put one on an older truck, I believe my 95, and it fell off and I almost lost the bugshield. Its up to you though. I prefer to screw it on. I'll see if I can get a picture of it so maybe you can see better.