I bought a very HD brush guard (Heavier than a Ranch Hand) for my 1997 F350 and had it repainted. It is straight and like new. Only thing is, my truck is a 2WD and the 4WD trucks have wider frames, SO IT WON'T FIT MY 2WD TRUCK.

VERY DISAPPOINTING!!

Located in Wimberley, Texas. All Offers Considered!

 

any pics??? I'm looking for a brush guard...

 

My truck is in the body shop getting repaired from my being side-swiped by an idiot car driver. I thought "hey, now's a good time to add a brush guard while it's in the shop".

They are finishing up today and discovered that the brush guard won't fit (it would've been nice if they would have checked to se if fit BEFORE painting it!)

As soon as thay have it set up for pictures, I'll take some and post them (or email 'em to you)

 

I would double check that frame width. The 4wd and 2wd frames should pretty much be the same. Many guys have converter 2wd to 4wd with just bolt on parts.

 

ok thanks...

 

I assumed that the frame widths were the same, but at the front where the bumper mounts mine is narrower than the under-frame mounting bars on the grill guard and the through-bolts on my front bumper don't match up either. Everything lined up on the truck it came from, and it bolted right on - same year as mine - only difference is mine is 2WD. Maybe there were special mounting brackets for this guard? I don't know.

I'll take measurements when I go take pictures, too.

 

Maybe they made the frame that way because 4X4's are leaf springs and the 2 wd's are coil. This is the first I have heard of the frames being different. More data needed...

 

I've loaded some pictures in my gallery. I'll take more when the guard is upright.

 

Looks like your frame rails are 37" center to center. I will go measure mine to compare.

 

I just measured mine and they are the same widthe as yours. You need to contact the bumper manufacturer and find out what is up. They may not have sent you the right brackett or bumper.

 

Thanks for the info. I am beginning to suspect that I'm missing some hardware. I'm either going to have to dig it up, have it fabricated or sell it. I'm kind of in too deep at this point not to explore the availability of hardware .......

I'll keep y'all posted.

 

I would say you are missing the hardware. It wouldn't be too hard to fab some you will just have to suspend the bumper where it needs to be and start fabricating. This makes me wonder if the bumber is for a SD. I really don't know the width of those frames but can get it from the wife's tonight.

 

It actually came from a '97, just like mine. I'm probably missing the mounting parts. The guy I bought it from probably misplaced them and in order to get rid of it B'sd me by saying it "just bolts right up".

Maybe the stress of dealing with getting the wreck damage fixed and the length of time it's taking (8 F'NG weeks) is getting to me - I'm worn down and maybe was too rash to "just get rid of the d-mn guard and move on".....

I've had to deal with finding some replacement parts (For example, they said the Dee Zee running boards I had on were no longer made and tried to stick some really cheap, crappy ones on. I found exact replacements in 10 minutes!)

I'm stuck driving the shop's loaner car - a '01 PURPLE well-worn Lumina - YUCK!!

I WANT MY TRUCK BACK!!