Advice wanted: Replace bumper cover or get brush guard?

[Tleahcim]

Okay so the short version of the story is that I rear ended some poor woman in a Ford Escape while trying to exit my parking lot. I consider it a "love tap" to an inferior SUV but anyway... so much for those 5 mph bumpers. Anyway, the stealership wants about $675 to do the repairs and since I just upped my insurance deductible to $500 bucks, I'm trying to decide between replacing the bumper cover or getting a Manik brush guard to "cover the damage." I'm not sure of the brush guard will cover the exact spot but I figure the damage will be less noticeable and the cost of getting a brush guard is cheaper.

So a couple of questions aside from what everyone else thinks about what I should do: Aside from the cosmetic difference, is there any advantage to replacing the bumper cover before getting a brush guard and will the damage affect the attachment of a brush guard. According to the stealership guy, it's just the dent and everything else structurally is intact.

 

[Tleahcim]

Some pics of the damage...

 

[Tleahcim]

One more...

<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/TleahciM/P5110123.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com~original">

 

[Tleahcim]

This one is a bit farther away but if you look on the passenger side, you can see the dent. It

 

[Derek]

ouch, sucks to see an injured 4Runner, I blame the Atlanta traffic :

That price sure is high for a new bumper cover but it doesn't surprise me. I guess I'd probably wait and save up some money and then repair the bumper, only because there is no guarantee that the brush guard would cover it up.

 

[Biff]

Wait a few months for the ARB front bull bar. and get rid of the stock bumper.

 

[DaveS]

Did this happen after you posted here?

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10548

You should have had those old tires attached !

Just joking - couldn't resist (typing this with fingers crossed in case fate deals me a blow)

 

[Tleahcim]

HA!! I do remember checking out that post a couple of days before. Weird thing is someone ran into my rear bumper in the same parking lot a couple of months ago and drove off so I'm really not doing well in terms of bumpers so far... I'm pretty sure my insurance rates are going up at the end of the year!

 

[TranceKrayz]

i think my bull bar would cover that up nicely......check out the link to pics in my sig.

 

[X5Runner]

Ouch! Sorry to see ur bride got bit-up. The bumper cover doesn't cost much. I paid $153.16 + Tax last month from local dealer. The bodyshop charged $200 to paint it. Installation is traight forward in about couple of hours with a helper. Interesting, I also got a LOVE KISS....what so called 5 MPH by a Trail Blazer in the same exact spot as your. However, mine was not just dented, but it also cracked. I've no other options but to replaced. Shameful, there's NOT even a little scratch on her front bumper. In the police accident report. The cop estimated $1000 damaged on my vehicle, and $50 bucks on her.

 

[ksneubec]

I have a WAAG front brush guard (see links in script) and It would mount almost directly over the spot where your dent is (you can probably tell from my photos). The brush guard is about the same price, and to be honest, I am not sure how much more protection it would add, but it should cover that spot fairly nicely.

 

[bryancos]

Not sure about a Manik guard, but here's a photo of a WAAG, and although it would "hide" the dent, the remainder of your damage above the signals/fog light would still be visible. That being said, I'd spend the money on the repairs and get it fixed. Then save up and get some type of front end protection like a frontrunner or a grille guard so it doesn't happen again.

 

[chunderboy]

Have you checked out any junk yards for parted out 4runners. I am sure there has got to be one laying around that you could get painted.

I remember when i had an xterra for a year (i know i know), the dealership wanted some rediculous price for a new rim after i didn something stupid. Called up a junk yard and got a perfect one for 25 bucks.

SOmetimes i does pay to do the extra leg work

 

[Tleahcim]

Thanks for all the responses so far folks!!

I think that in the end I'm going to replace the bumper cover but not get the stealership to do it and try it on my own. According to the directions it looks pretty straightfoward but I didn't know if anyone might have some tips if they've done it before.

I do want to get a brush guard eventually and it seems the the general consensus is the WAAG. One question though, does the WAAG hinge forward for engine/hood access like the MANIK?

Thanks again for all your help so far.

 

[Bluto]

Wait a few months for the ARB front bull bar. and get rid of the stock bumper.

This gets my vote.

 

[Expat]

quote:
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Originally posted by Biff
Wait a few months for the ARB front bull bar. and get rid of the stock bumper.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This gets my vote.

My vote too!

 

[ksneubec]

The WAAG does not swing forward. There is just enough clearance to open the hood. The Polar Bear guard I had at first swung forward, but didn't see as strong because it wasn't completely solid.

 

[MicaBlue03]

I've had a good experience with the WAAG Front Runner as a sacrificial bumper guard (experiences posted previously here), and I like the look better than the big brush guards. Cheaper, too. It would obscure the dent you now have quite a bit, but not completely.

 

[Larry]

I'm the one in the other post and am still looking for a solution. I guess it was stupid of me to let anything touch my bumper. It's like getting in a fight and leading with your face. So a word of warning, don't lead with your bumpers, it's too expensive. If you want to hit something, use the door.