Hey guys I have an 02 explorer sport. I am looking at getting a brush guard for my explorer but I am having a hard time deciding on what type to get or what brand. Any sugestions? Price does matter a little.

 

I have had good luck with Grizzley brush guards. Get a welded one piece guard rather than one that has to be assembled. IMHO, the one piece guards are stronger and are not as prone to rusting.

 

I bought a WAAG brush gaurd for my 97 explorer sport. The company claimed it will fit 97-02 2 and 4 door explorers. They run for $450 the website is waag.com

 

Don't get a Go-Rhino, I had one on my Ranger and it was a very poor fit!

 

I had WAAG one piece grill guard replaced after one year. I bought it when they had the longer guarantee on their products. After one year the hardware had all become rusted and small bubbles of paint had begun forming. I contacted the dealer and they forwarded my claim along with pictures to WAAG. WAAG said it was one of the first times they had seen that much rust in such short time. To make a long story short I had to remove the old guard and package it to be picked up. The new guard arrived via 18 wheeler and the old one went away. The following year the same problems happened. Contacted WAAG and they said If I paid the shipping they would honor the warranty. Well shipping a one piece gaurd across the country was over $200. The other alternative they told me was some 220 grit paper and some semi gloss spray paint and would take care of the rust. Too much money to ship back and too much of a hassle to sand and paint. I still have the guard two and a half years later but I am thinking of getting it sandblasted and dipped.
Don't get me wrong. I still think WAAG has the best looking grill guard compared to others around as did all the people who gave me compliments on the nice looking guard. I'm just a little upset that the finish didn't hold up as well here from the salted winter roads of NY. The guard did save me big money in repairs when durring the last ice storm a tree came down across the front of me vehicle and was stopped short of crushing my hood be the grill guard. That save alone has paid for the guard. Sorry for the long winded post.

 

That sucks that that has happened twice to you. Myself and a buddie got a great deal on 2 new WAAG guards for an 01 ranger and a 98 Cherokee. $300 total from a guy who used to sell Waag products untill he retired.... I like waag.. but I just wanted to know what would be better for an explorer. Also does anyone know does ARB make a bumber replacement for the explorer?

 

A spray on bed liner is a great solution for the rust/finish issue. A much more cost effective idea is the Duplicolor aerosol bed liner. I've seen it used on brush guards and step rails, and it looks great! It is also heavy duty enough to protect those items - they won't take near the punishment a truck bed will.

http://www.duplicolor.com/products/truckbed.html