Grill Guards
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Montana
Grill Guards
I just bought an '06 SD & am interested in grill (brush) guards. I don't want to replace my bumper or have anything super heavy, but I want something that would offer some protection from a collision with a deer. I'd like something functional, but that also does not detract from the appearance of the Lariat. What's out there? I've been looking at a one piece Westin that they want $725 installed. I'd prefer to have it installed rather than do it myself. I do not have any dealers that handle Ranch Hand out here. Is Westin a good guard & what else would you guys recommend? Thanks.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland Oklahoma
On my 05 F250 crew cab I just put on a smitty built it is modular,it bolts to the bumper/tow hook front bolts,you can go with the middle section,as a push bar ,I added the headlight guards and wire screens over the headlights,it was 350 bucks plus tax like 383 bucks total took about 45 minutes to install and looks great.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 6
From: Ketchikan, AK.
i agree with skip.... there are several brands out there that just use the bumper/tow hook bolt holes so it gets mounted directly to the frame for support. they are much cheaper, and should only take a matter of minutes to install.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,902
Likes: 9
From: Northern IL
On my 05 F250 V10 I installed an Smittybilt Grille gaurd its an 1-piece stainless steel
it was about $600 shipped and I also installed KC off road lites on it.
Let me know anyone wants to see a picture of it.
~Gage~
it was about $600 shipped and I also installed KC off road lites on it.
Let me know anyone wants to see a picture of it.
~Gage~
New User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I looked at a bunch of different grille guards, is it just me or do most of them seem overpriced and underbuilt? I wanted an ali arc style but they all were pretty pricey, so I ended up making my own. I've got some pics of it in my gallery. I think I had about $300 dollars in the aluminum and then wire and time. It's much much stronger than most guards on the market, and probably lighter too. The pipes are 3" on the bottom and middle and 2.5" on the top and the headlight guards are 2". All have about a 1/4" wall. The main uprights are 3/8" plate with a 3" by 1/4" flat bent around it. Very solid. I know its not the look most people go for, not being polished and all, but to me it looks kinda industrial with the brushed aluminum. Like others have said, mine mounts to the frame next to the tow hooks.
Chad
Chad
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,589
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From: NW burbs of chicago
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,424
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From: AZ
(Ranch hand) or (Frontier), both are very strong and look good. My ranch hand grill gaurd was $425 a couple years ago.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,902
Likes: 9
From: Northern IL
Smittybilt 1-piece Cjhofer, click the link.........
http://community.webshots.com/photo/...76810766WWZICN
The smittybilt 1-piece is very strong and sturdy. weights about 95lbs
~Gage~
http://community.webshots.com/photo/...76810766WWZICN
The smittybilt 1-piece is very strong and sturdy. weights about 95lbs
~Gage~
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 3
From: Peoria, IL
I'm pretty happy with my westin. Although it has started getting a little surface rust on it recently. Installation wasn't too bad either. You remove two of the bumper bolts and loosen the other two. The brushguard slided over the two loose bolts, you put the other two back in and tighten everything up. Took about half an hour with two guys. Hardest part is getting the bumper level again as you tighten it back up. there are pics in my gallery of the brushguard installed. It came with two light mount holes in it, and I drilled two more to mount the 4 KC 69 series daylighters.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by bikerdei
Chad,
like the look of the guard. I need one like that to scare off all of the rice rockets that cut me off here in Tidewater, Va.
Scott
like the look of the guard. I need one like that to scare off all of the rice rockets that cut me off here in Tidewater, Va.
Scott
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Tidewater,VA
tvsjr,
Which one do you have? I looked at them but the only close dealer wasn't the most helpful and would prefer to not buy one from them. But ranchhand won't sale me one direct because I have a dealer within 100 miles.
Which one do you have? I looked at them but the only close dealer wasn't the most helpful and would prefer to not buy one from them. But ranchhand won't sale me one direct because I have a dealer within 100 miles.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Biker, I just replaced my stock bumper/ Westin Bull Bar with a Ranchhand "Bull Nose" front replacement bumper. Oh yeah, mine's an 03 CC 250.
This thing is nice! It has 2 light tabs on the grill guard and 2 cutouts in the bottom diamondplate for the stock foglights. I'm not sure how heavy it is, but the shop used a floor jack to raise it up and it has sagged the front just enough that my 285's rub at full lock--a leveling kit is in the works.
It may not prevent bumholes from cutting ya off, but at least if you rear end them all you'll need to do is touch the paint up!
This thing is nice! It has 2 light tabs on the grill guard and 2 cutouts in the bottom diamondplate for the stock foglights. I'm not sure how heavy it is, but the shop used a floor jack to raise it up and it has sagged the front just enough that my 285's rub at full lock--a leveling kit is in the works.
It may not prevent bumholes from cutting ya off, but at least if you rear end them all you'll need to do is touch the paint up!