brush guard debate

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

bkrama0314

bkrama0314

Joined
May 9, 2022
Threads
10
Messages
35
Location
Aurora, CO 80012
hey y’all,
so I’m conflicted on whether or not i should remove the brush guard off my truck, i have been debating about it over the last year, but don’t know if i should. its been on the car since my parents bought it 20 years ago, but I kind of fell out of love with the look. what would y’all say?

i was considering leaving the tail light guards on but i think i might take those off, too.

IMG_3410.jpeg


IMG_3411.jpeg


IMG_3412.jpeg


IMG_3413.jpeg


IMG_3414.jpeg
 
the front guard is considered a damage multiplier, if hitting something it creates more damage than without the guard.
it is more for looks than actual protection.
 
3_puppies said:
the front guard is considered a damage multiplier, if hitting something it creates more damage than without the guard.
it is more for looks than actual protection.
Click to expand...
noted, i was thinking about removing it since i wanted to return it to the stock look

Trunk Monkey said:
Rear things are too, they get pressed in, damages a lot more than the tail light lens. That said, they've been on their that long without issue, may as well leave them.
Click to expand...
might as well, how hard do you think it would be to remove them?
 
Because you are asking for opinions. Remove! Much cleaner look without.
 
cbbr said:
If you like them, leave them - that's what insurance is for.
Click to expand...
Maybe. Back in my 100 days, I remember at least one instance on Mud of a 100 being totaled by insurance as a result of the extensive extra damage caused by a brush guard in what would otherwise have been a repairable incident. It’s not worth losing a truck just for looks.
 
I am aware that hey can cause extra damage, but I suspect that the likelihood that a brushguard is the thing that pushes the damage over the edge is slim. Much like the likelihood that one of the little crossbars stops a rock from breaking your headlight. The whole argument feels "academic" to me, much like most interwebs bench racing. My point is that stuff happens, enjoy the ride.
 
I’ve seen deer bounce off these guards with no damage (to the truck, deer had plenty of damage).
 
Your call. Only concern would be if they are mounted in place and the hardware is all rusty. Might be worse to remove but that is where I would start.

As others have noted, I have seen folks with front end damage and this style guard making stuff worse but who cares. If you like the look stick with it. Personally I think the Lexus is too classy for this type of equipment and it's got to go =]

Or , mount some big ****ing headlights up there and join the club lol
 
i decided imma remove the guards but keep the In my basement. my dad said he recommends i keep it, but i know that the damage could be exacerbated, but im going to see what happens, i want to return it to full stock
 
As Bisho said about deer, I'm in Arkansas with lots of deer.and I installed the ARB '03 front bumper too protect the front end. It is fairly heavy duty so should provide some protection and avoid an insurance claim. But, it's your ride so do as you wish. It's a nice looking rig
 
There is no debate on this topic. Believe whatever you want. Wish you best of luck!

But don't go off-road with that. It reduces clearance on front end (technically, reduced approach angle). If you manage to hit it, damage will be on headlights, side marker lights, grill, fenders, and hood.
 
High speed accident = damage multiplier
Low speed = maybe a saved fog light, head light, grill.
 
Helipilot said:
As Bisho said about deer, I'm in Arkansas with lots of deer.and I installed the ARB '03 front bumper too protect the front end. It is fairly heavy duty so should provide some protection and avoid an insurance claim. But, it's your ride so do as you wish. It's a nice looking rig
Click to expand...
ARB bumpers are very different from this style of brush guard though - I'd trust an ARB to suck up a deer strike (I'm in Indiana myself, our deer are big!), but definitely not one of these.
 
bkrama0314 said:
hey y’all,
so I’m conflicted on whether or not i should remove the brush guard off my truck, i have been debating about it over the last year, but don’t know if i should. its been on the car since my parents bought it 20 years ago, but I kind of fell out of love with the look. what would y’all say?

i was considering leaving the tail light guards on but i think i might take those off, too.

View attachment 3778404

View attachment 3778405

View attachment 3778406

View attachment 3778407

View attachment 3778409
Click to expand...
Each to his own, I guess!! In my case, I have a good bullbar on my truck(s) because they are used for long distance touring, often on long unsealed, often unfenced backroads and trails where there are plenty of ferals and uncontrolled wandering farm stock -- not always easily seen. Where conditions, local rules (and Mrs IndroCruise) allow, I might be travelling at 100 - 130 kph (60 - 80 mph) and a collision with anything weighing 60 kg (~132 pounds) like a big kangaroo or a deer, or up to a 500 kg (~1100 pounds):like a large steer -- is going to be dramatic with HUGE damage. The hope is simply that the truck will still be drivable after impact, and that Mrs IndroCruise won't be fuming (not silently -- there will be lectures about speed!!) by the side of some remote road while I try to organise vehicle recovery from the closest town 200 - 300 kilometres or further away.

Occasionally, a large rock can appear out of nowhere (!) so the front underbody protection also needs to be fit-for-purpose.

If the vehicle protection (front, sides and under) is only good for scrapes with vegetation or lesser rocks, simple panel repairs are best and less -- no point in carrying extra weight and losing the good looks just for that. I have broken taillights -- that was when I ignored the rear camera and the beepers!!

20241029_163814.jpg


To Perth Sep24.jpg


To Brisbane Oct 24.jpg
 
Last edited:
I agree with all of the above, for the most part…. but i hate those things. Nothing screams ‘mall crawler’ more than a factory vehicle with those items attached. I think they look hideous.

Get out the wrenches, and remove that stuff.. you’ll be very happy if you do!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom