Grille guard
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9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
Likes: 58
From: Missouri
Grille guard
I'm thinking of getting a grille guard. I don't want a full replacement bumper but I don't want a bull bar either. I'd like the full grille guard that goes to the headlights.
I know these don't offer extreme protection in collisions and stuff. That's not why I want one. I mainly want one for light pushing of objects, keeping some brush from the truck, and mostly for mounting lights and eventually a winch.
Does anyone recommend a brand or type of grille guard for this? I know to get a one piece design, but not much more than that.
I know these don't offer extreme protection in collisions and stuff. That's not why I want one. I mainly want one for light pushing of objects, keeping some brush from the truck, and mostly for mounting lights and eventually a winch.
Does anyone recommend a brand or type of grille guard for this? I know to get a one piece design, but not much more than that.
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,339
Likes: 350
From: Breckenridge, TX
I vote RH, even for just a grille guard. The uprights are beefy, and that's IMO those are the most important parts, that and the whole thing being welded and not held together with screws. I have some friends who run guards from some of the better known catalog brands (Westin?) and they're mainly thin light junk that flexes just standing on them. I just did a fuel press. regulator in a truck with a RH grille guard and it didn't give at all with my 190# sitting on it.
I don't know if Top Gun is still around anymore, but their stuff was alright. Watch out for guards that have the smaller deals covering the headlights that are bolted inside the main frame around the light. Everyone I've seen like that I haven't liked the overall construction of.
I don't know if Top Gun is still around anymore, but their stuff was alright. Watch out for guards that have the smaller deals covering the headlights that are bolted inside the main frame around the light. Everyone I've seen like that I haven't liked the overall construction of.
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9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
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From: Missouri
How do the ranch hand grille guards attach? Reason I ask is I want to eventually change to the 05+ front end, and need to know if a grille guard for a 99-04 will still fit an 05-08
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,339
Likes: 350
From: Breckenridge, TX
They attach to the front of the frame horns and maintain the stock tow hooks. The design for 99.5-04 is different than the 05-07, I don't know what exactly they changed, but if you do the full front clip including the bumper, I'd say it wouldn't fit. If you just put in the lights and a chopped grille, it might.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,711
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From: Fort Worth
The guards are different 99-04 and 05-07. The divider between the headlight/signal light is moved higher for the later models as the light was redesigned, and due to the later model's bumper moving down slightly at the top for the larger grille, the bumper cutout of the guard is smaller on the later model, so it will not clear the bumper on the older models. You would have to buy the correct guard for each front end. Ranch Hand, Top Gun, T3, Cattleman HD, and Tough Country are all god makers. There are also small shops that make good products spread throughout Texas, they are just not advertised and are more difficult to find. BTW, the guards (the ones I know of) are attached using the 4 (2 per side) bolts on the front of the bumper next to the tow hooks. The 05-07 are additionally attached with arms that extend under the bumper and bolt to some sort of bar under there that is not on the older models. The grille guard on my truck doesn't give at all, even with my 230 lbs on it.
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 26
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From: NW CT
i have a westin on my 09. i had the same one on my 08 that i totalled when i hit a tree this past summer . if it wasn't for the guard i would not be here. it is a westin and cost about $375 . cant figure out how to load a picture into this but its on my avatar
Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,229
Likes: 1,247
From: San Antonio, TX
Ranch Hand - The #1 Source For Truck Accessories
You can also try
Frontier Truck Gear - XTREME Grille Guards
South Texas Outfitters - San Antonio's Premier Truck Accessory & Top Drive Manufacturer
Brown's Welding
I've had products from all 4 companies and they are all over built, heavy duty and fully welded. Not bolt together lightweight stuff that comes in a box.
You can also try
Frontier Truck Gear - XTREME Grille Guards
South Texas Outfitters - San Antonio's Premier Truck Accessory & Top Drive Manufacturer
Brown's Welding
I've had products from all 4 companies and they are all over built, heavy duty and fully welded. Not bolt together lightweight stuff that comes in a box.
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