Truck Grill / Brush Guard

[Bolt action]

I finally found a truck that checked all the boxes at a price point that I'm comfortable with! 

I pick it up this afternoon and am starting to order some accessories for it. I'm having the dealer install the integrated brake controller because I'd rather not have a bulky box under the dash if i can help it. Also getting a bedliner, tonneau cover, Husky floor mats, probably a ladder rack (for the kayaks when i have the camper hooked up).

I like the look and added protection of a grill guard, but don't have any experience with them. 

Do they actually add protection? I understand that if you rear end someone, the truck is getting damaged, but what about a deer strike? Do they rub the bumper at all where they might cause some damage over the course of time? I'm looking at the model below, but can't really fund much feedback on it. 

https://blackhorseoffroad.com/i-24867737-d-2009-2014-ford-f-150-grille-guard-black.html?ref=search:https%3A%2F%2Fblackhorseoffroad.com%2Fsearch.html%3Fq%3D17FP30MA

Edited March 11, 2021 by Bolt action

[Robhuntandfish]

I honestly think they are more for looks than anything. If you hit anything very hard at all your still going to have damage.  It might reduce the amount though if it wasnt a hard hit.   But even at 25 mph those are prob bending quite a bit.  

Having them on there shouldn't cause any truck damage though.

Edited March 11, 2021 by Robhuntandfish

[Steuben Jerry]

1 hour ago, Bolt action said:

I finally found a truck that checked all the boxes at a price point that I'm comfortable with! 

Details!

[left field]

When I was looking, my very limited research showed that not only don't they protect at speed, they may actually cause more damage. 

Most people go for a steel bumper instead, which obviously is more costly, heavier, and may need a beefier front suspension. 

[Bolt action]

11 minutes ago, Steuben Jerry said:

Details!

Picked up a Ford F150 FX4.. I'll update my original thread with the details.

[Nomad]

 

There’s a bit of a push back on the height and size of today’s pick ups for the increased damage they cause to, other  vehicles, but notably pedestrians . It’s been shown pedestrians, have a much higher rate of death and serious injuries from pick ups vs cars ,not sure how one of these would look as I’m being sued .
 

Ive always been in favor of keeping things pretty much stock . 

[mowin]

I had one yrs ago on a Chevy PU.  Smacked a deer doing probably 30.  Grill guard was wreacked.  The hood, and passenger fender, headlight were damaged to the point they needed to be replaced.  

[Bolt action]

@Nomad that's something I never considered.

[phade]

Brush guards and bull bars are called damage multipliers for a reason.

A steel bumper will require heavier load springs and suspension and it gets $ fast. Aluminum is also an option, lighter, but more expensive and creases/bends easy without ability to rework it. 

With regard to rear ending, people liked to post photos of minimized damage as evidence. But in most cases the bar pushes the energy to the frame, which can cause hidden damage (if not inspected) or do things like throw specs out of whack (causing uneven tire wear, water leaks, and so on). For me, the real concern is that the bars bypass the designed safety features of the car. Bumpers are designed to crush, absorb, and displace impact energy properly. They're designed that way for a reason, let them do their job. The last thing you want is a hard impact and the airbags not tripping and the energy going right into the frame and cab with no reduced absorption/spreading of energy.

Hard pass. Hard pass.

In a former life I was an ICAR Gold certified estimator for collision repair and accident re-enactment.

[Bolt action]

I like the look, but it seems like they're more trouble than they're worth and can cause more damage than they prevent. 

Ya'll may have successfully talked me out of it!

[rob-c]

Agree with all that’s been said take $500 you would have spent on that and put a nice beefy set of tires on the truck 

Edited March 11, 2021 by rob-c

[left field]

24 minutes ago, Bolt action said:

I like the look, but it seems like they're more trouble than they're worth and can cause more damage than they prevent. 

Ya'll may have successfully talked me out of it!

HuntingNY ... is there anything it can’t do!