Brush Guards for 80 Series?

[travcaldwell]

I just bought my first 80series. It is in great shape and has all factory parts on it. I'm working on building it up for general offroad use for hunting, fishing, and camping. I'd love input on brush guards. I really like what heftyfabworks makes but, they don't make a model for 80 series.

I appreciate all input!

 

[bwakeling]

lots of steel bumpers to choose from...just depends what look you want

 

[Broski]

Check out Costa Fab he is on this site, make real nice bumpers for the 80. The brush guard can be as small or large as you like.

 

[mdmiked]

If you're talking about an actual brush guard, I would encourage you not to buy one. A lot of people on this forum like to call them "damage multipliers" that in a collision actually does more harm than good.

If you meant aftermarket front bumpers, there are lot of options to see by doing a quick Google search. I personally prefer ARB for the quality and appearance (it really makes your truck look tough).

 

[Beej]

Spend that 900 on preventative maintenance. Stock cruiser can do plenty without armor. My .02

 

[super40]

if you plan on off roading? in order of necessity 1) get sliders, 2) get a front winch (you can mod your oem front bumper for this). the rest frt and rear bumpers are nice upgrades but not necessary.

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

Brush guards aren't good for much except for light brush and looks. They will indeed multiply the damage done during a collision even if it's into a snow bank, a deer, a shopping cart etc...the way regular crush guards mount make them a lever which can't support much load. I go down plenty of nasty roads and have gone down old roads that were completely grown over with trees etc... That a person would have a difficult time walking through. Haven't had the need for a brush guard yet. If you're speaking of ARB type bumpers then I would do what was mentioned and use that money on maintenance first. I built my front and rear for less than an ARB front and that's including the cost of the angle grinder, used mig welder and drill I bought to build them. Not necessarily the route for everyone, but if you put the time and effort into it, you can make some pretty sweet bumpers, but what is the point if your junk don't run? Maintenance first, that's my vote. But no brush guards unless you're talking ARB bumper style.

 

[drowssap]

Even the highly coveted ARB bumper with hoops is a damage multiplier...Look at my pic to the left! The truck suffered a high impact into the hoops and it took out the entire front 3/4 clip.

 

[Heckraiser]

Stock bumper is little more than a tin can, so I would say, although not necessary, a real strong aftermarket front bumper is a worthy upgrade. "Brush guard" in the traditional sense (like what you saw on your dentist's suburban back in the 90's) is, as everyone points out, actually going to cause worse damage than nothing being there at all.

If you're looking for a real front bumper I would start with Slee (if you can afford it), 4x4 labs, ARB, TJM (if you can find it), metaltech, NWTI, Trail Gear--lots of options out there depending on your aesthetic preference, budget, etc.

 

[Stiles]

I smacked a 120lb deer at 60mph this weekend on the way home from this Moab trip. She was DRT; Dead Right There. Without the grill guard: the bumper, grill, turn signal, lower valence, full passenger side light assembly, hood, and front passenger quarter panel would all require replacing. Plus maybe some coolant apparati?

The second day after l bought the truck l bolted on an ARB setup, and it just paid for itself many times over one month later. And there is zero indication there was an animal strike. (The passenger side turn signal was dangling, and snapped right back into place). Not great pics of the bumper, but Moab is a beautiful place. Stock bumper felt about 20lbs, and remarkably lightweight for steel. ARB bumper/grill guard 96lbs. Glad l did not go the aluminum route; I recommend steel protection.