2006 4Runner Brush Guard Experience or Preference - Westin vs Aries

[AusTex4x4Sport]

I've read a lot of the posts with opinions as to whether or not to install a brush guard, and I'd still like to do it. I've narrowed the candidates to two models, the Aries 2058 and the Westin Sportsman, and am interested in any members' experiences or recommendations as to these two guards. I had a 3rd candidate made by Black Horse but couldn't find much info or any deals on them, so I've ruled that out unless someone has a strong positive comment. The one disappointment I've had in my search is that both manufacturers seem to have gone to a single top center tube and I really liked the look of the parallel horizontal bar at the top.

Thanks for any input.

 

[Stuck CAPS]

I've read a lot of the posts with opinions as to whether or not to install a brush guard, and I'd still like to do it. I've narrowed the candidates to two models, the Aries 2058 and the Westin Sportsman, and am interested in any members' experiences or recommendations as to these two guards. I had a 3rd candidate made by Black Horse but couldn't find much info or any deals on them, so I've ruled that out unless someone has a strong positive comment. The one disappointment I've had in my search is that both manufacturers seem to have gone to a single top center tube and I really liked the look of the parallel horizontal bar at the top.

Thanks for any input.

I'd say stay away from a brush guard. "Damage Multipliers." If you're really keen on one, go with a bumper... You're spending what, $350 on it? Wait a few weeks for the hybrid bumpers from Addicted Offroad, spend $700 and actually protect your rig.

Now, if you're really SET on getting a brush guard. As in, you'll get one regardless of what we tell you, then I'd personally say to get the Westin, as I've seen more of them on here, so there must be a reason for that.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I will tell you right now, stay away from Black Horse; I had a customer ask us to install a Black Horse Brush Guard last weekend and while I am willing to let slide that the driver's side headlight section was welded wrong (everyone has defects now and then) I can't forgive their piss poor mounting method. It was literally U-Bolts that wrapped around the front bumper support/crush sections (thin, pre-dimpled/crushed square tubing that holds the bumper support to the frame and is designed to compress/collapse in a front end collision,) absolute garbage and poor mounting design.

Unfortunately while many probably don't use U-Bolts, they have a very weak mounting point only on the bottom of the frame somewhere and in a small impact they can bend/contort/damage the front end far worse. Hence "Damage Multipliers," as they are designed to deflect flimsy branches on the trail more than deal with impact damage.

If you're hell bent on getting a brush guard I would look for one that mounts as solidly to the frame as possible and has a very strongly built center section that hopefully won't pretzel itself into your grill in a fender bender.

 

[AusTex4x4Sport]

I will tell you right now, stay away from Black Horse; I had a customer ask us to install a Black Horse Brush Guard last weekend and while I am willing to let slide that the driver's side headlight section was welded wrong (everyone has defects now and then) I can't forgive their piss poor mounting method. It was literally U-Bolts that wrapped around the front bumper support/crush sections (thin, pre-dimpled/crushed square tubing that holds the bumper support to the frame and is designed to compress/collapse in a front end collision,) absolute garbage and poor mounting design.

Unfortunately while many probably don't use U-Bolts, they have a very weak mounting point only on the bottom of the frame somewhere and in a small impact they can bend/contort/damage the front end far worse. Hence "Damage Multipliers," as they are designed to deflect flimsy branches on the trail more than deal with impact damage.

If you're hell bent on getting a brush guard I would look for one that mounts as solidly to the frame as possible and has a very strongly built center section that hopefully won't pretzel itself into your grill in a fender bender.

Wow, I sure don't want one of the Black Horse ones based on your "review." This is a good example of somethiong priced higher that isn't necessarily better; in fact, it sounds much worse than anything else I've seen.

I did find one other (Steelcraft) that seems to have a better mounting setup. Please take a look at this (http://www.carid.com/images/steelcraft/pdf/stc-53290-installation-instructions.pdf ) and let me know what you think of this mounting strategy.

Thanks

 

[BlackWorksInc]

[MENTION=105993]AusTex4x4Sport[/MENTION]

That one looks a little more solid with both brackets on the bottom and a short middle support, its a bit more of a pain in the ass but slightly better anchored. Again, all brush guards by design aren't really meant to take a serious impact; so you're probably not going to find one that mounts as solidly as say a replacement bumper. But you want one that bolts on as solidly as possible, which this one looks pretty good.

What's funny is that the Black Horse product was really well built (aside from that one headlamp section, but I am going to mark that as fluke rather than a norm), the brackets and construction was very solid and thick, the chroming was very nice; it was just the mounting set-up was garbage.

 

[AusTex4x4Sport]

[MENTION=105993]AusTex4x4Sport[/MENTION]

That one looks a little more solid with both brackets on the bottom and a short middle support, its a bit more of a pain in the ass but slightly better anchored. Again, all brush guards by design aren't really meant to take a serious impact; so you're probably not going to find one that mounts as solidly as say a replacement bumper. But you want one that bolts on as solidly as possible, which this one looks pretty good.

What's funny is that the Black Horse product was really well built (aside from that one headlamp section, but I am going to mark that as fluke rather than a norm), the brackets and construction was very solid and thick, the chroming was very nice; it was just the mounting set-up was garbage.

Westin sent me their install instructions and their mounting brackets look just like the Steelcraft, so I guess I just look for the best price between the two. Thanks for your responses.