Have Questions About Brush Guard / Grill Guard

davzog · January 1, 2009

I am thinking about a black grill guard for my HD Classisc. I think I want the one the goes the full width of the truck and wraps around the headlights....

I have looked at several, but I can't find any reference to their weight....I am guessing 50-75 pounds. Anyone know??

Also, do they have any affect on the handling or front suspension??

What about interference with the air bag sensors in case of a collision??

Most of the ones I have looked at have holes drilled for the off road lites.....I was thinking about putting on FOUR lites instead of the typical two light setup. My concern would be that four lights would block too much of the airflow to the radiator, thus causing overheating...am I being too goofy????

Thanks in advance, and any pics would be appreciated....thanks

BuckFeverZ · January 1, 2009

I have the Westin Sportsman on my truck and it probably weighs about 70-80lbs. No, there isn't any affects on handling/steering with just a brush guard. I doubt you'd notice a difference even with a full replacement front bumper.

I'm not sure about how it would affect the air bag sensors....

Z71Adrenaline · January 1, 2009

Here's our '03 1500HD with a black Westin guard on it. You can't tell a difference as far as how its drives with it on there.. I don't think its real heavy.

ColoradoSkiCountry · January 2, 2009

I really wish I could find some photos of 07+ Sierra's with brush/grill guards on them..

This is what I am considering purchasing:

http://www.wooddashexperts.com/customer/pr...6219&page=1

davzog · January 2, 2009

Here's our '03 1500HD with a black Westin guard on it. You can't tell a difference as far as how its drives with it on there.. I don't think its real heavy.

Thanks for the replies...I really think I like the BLACK versus the chrome....it think it would look better on my dark green truck...

davzog · January 3, 2009

Any brand better than others???

BuckFeverZ · January 3, 2009

I'd recommend Westin. Mine is a once piece unit that is all welded together. Makes it stronger this way rather than bolting on the headlight guards.

davzog · January 5, 2009

Yours looks great....now I don't know if I want the black or SS....help!!!!!

BuckFeverZ · January 5, 2009

Based on what I can see in your avatar pic, I'd get the SS.

Z_71_steve · January 6, 2009

i'd get the ss... the best thing to do is search pics... the only problem with the ss is, is that they scratch very easy... especially in brush! haha i dont know if you plan on using it to actually protect your bumper or just for looks... i use mine for both and i found out that it will scratch litely with brush...

as for the offroad lights... you can tap your own holes... id recomend trying to seal around the ring you drill... and its gonna be about 3-5 inches from the grill depending on the light so it will still allow for airflow..

good luck!

steve

davzog · January 6, 2009

Well, I finally decided....I ordered a black brush guard from Hunter in Texas...$269 w/free shipping. I really don't know if I am going to like it or not, so I did not want to invest a bunch of $$$$$.

I have read some posts that the Hunter powder coat does not hold up well, but my truck is always garaged, and I wash and wax my truck too often....ha

I thought I could spray on the bed liner coating if it does start to look too tacky...I will post pics when it is installed...

Thanks again for all the replies...

Here is a link to the one I bought...

http://cgi3.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISA...mobilealerts:us

ColoradoSkiCountry · January 7, 2009

Link does not work.

bubba33 · January 7, 2009

There is always one truck that comes to mind when I hear cow catcher,and its chrome

Misawan · January 7, 2009

Well, I finally decided....I ordered a black brush guard from Hunter in Texas...$269 w/free shipping. I really don't know if I am going to like it or not, so I did not want to invest a bunch of $$$$$.

I have read some posts that the Hunter powder coat does not hold up well, but my truck is always garaged, and I wash and wax my truck too often....ha

I thought I could spray on the bed liner coating if it does start to look too tacky...I will post pics when it is installed...

Thanks again for all the replies...

Here is a link to the one I bought...

http://cgi3.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISA...mobilealerts:us

I've got an '04 Z71 with the Hunter black guard on mine and it its been on my truck for 2 years now and it looks just as good as the day I got it. I do go off roading and go trail riding some so it does get used. The finish holds up really well. It came with two holes for lights but I can't see any reason why you couldn't drill two more for some more lights. I would just hit the holes with some undercoat spray to keep them from rust. The one thing I did replace was the stock hardware that came with hoops for the lights. I went with larger bolts and nuts from home depot as the stock ones are pretty small and vibration was an issue when going down city streets. I didn't have to drill bigger holes. After using larger bolts the vibration wasn't an issue anymore.

seadoons · January 7, 2009

Mine is in the pic below - the brand is Manik. I have had in on the truck for almost seven years now and I get it used from a friend of mine. It has held up well although I can tell it has faded some - and my truck is never in the sun (parking garage at work).

The only thing this is a pain with it is having to remove the piece in front of the headlights to change out a light bulb - and we all know how often the DRL bulbs go out. Now, mine is removable. If you have one solid piece of brush guard, how do you get to the bulbs? I guess if it is one solid piece maybe it doesn't have the sloted bars like mine does.

Ranch Hand makes a solid brush guard - real solid. They also make replacement bumpers.