Ares Brush Guards? Have you tried them?

[ellner357]

Well I've come to a conclusion on my lights. I'm looking at getting a brush guard so I have a little protection. I like the Ares one but I was just wondering what the experience on here is? I want an arb eventually but that's a long long way out of my price range I need to get my lift first. So what do you think? http://www.carid.com/1999-toyota-4runner-grill-guards/aries-one-piece-grille-guard-486431.html

 

[downpour11]

You might as well drop that money on a tube or plate bumper. Those brush guards are damage multipliers. If you're about to spend 400+ on something with a real low resale value, I'd just save an extra 200-300 for an ARB. I still don't understand why those brush guards are so much money.

 

[ellner357]

You might as well drop that money on a tube or plate bumper. Those brush guards are damage multipliers. If you're about to spend 400+ on something with a real low resale value, I'd just save an extra 200-300 for an ARB. I still don't understand why those brush guards are so much money.

Maybe I don't know where to find a good arb... I'm looking 1300-1500 to get one locally... Any suggestions? Cause for 300 more I'd go arb in a heart beat!

 

[Thurlo76]

I still don't understand why those brush guards are so much money.

because there pretty!!! people who want mall crawlers often have enough money to spend on pretty stuff

 

[ellner357]

because there pretty!!! people who want mall crawlers often have enough money to spend on pretty stuff

Well I have no plans on being a mall crawler. I've had this thing out and found myself in the bush finding trails the first weekend I got her. I was just looking for something I could put on there to give me a little protection while I build and save since the lift needs to come before my arb.

 

[downpour11]

Maybe I don't know where to find a good arb... I'm looking 1300-1500 to get one locally... Any suggestions? Cause for 300 more I'd go arb in a heart beat!

There are a couple guys on this forum that have haggled 4wheelparts (of all places) and gotten a brand new ARB for ~$750 shipped to their door. Maybe someone can chime in...

Also, lurk the forum classifieds as you're bound to find something. Here, yotatech, ttora, tacomaworld, toyota120, ih8mud, etc. etc.

Please don't buy any sort of brush guard lol unless you just love the look of it and you're not really taking it off road ever and can justify spending $400+ on something that has hardly any resale value.

 

[ellner357]

There are a couple guys on this forum that have haggled 4wheelparts (of all places) and gotten a brand new ARB for ~$750 shipped to their door. Maybe someone can chime in...

Also, lurk the forum classifieds as you're bound to find something. Here, yotatech, ttora, tacomaworld, toyota120, ih8mud, etc. etc.

Please don't buy any sort of brush guard lol unless you just love the look of it and you're not really taking it off road ever and can justify spending $400+ on something that has hardly any resale value.

Welll I have every intention of taking it offroad. I also thought I was looking 1500 for an arb. At least locally. 750 to my door... well damn I'd put an order in on that this very second if that was the case!!!

 

[RussToy]

Heck, if you're going to get a "cheap" grille guard...you might as well pay the least amount. This one is $199...you can't beat the price. I've never owned one, so I can't speak on quality...good luck!

Truck Gear Direct

 

[nissanh]

You might as well drop that money on a tube or plate bumper. Those brush guards are damage multipliers. If you're about to spend 400+ on something with a real low resale value, I'd just save an extra 200-300 for an ARB. I still don't understand why those brush guards are so much money.

Yes... If it is $100 go for it....BUT DON'T spend $350 - 400 for a brush guard. Put another $400 and get a rock solid bullbar.

I got my brush guard from CL for $75. I then used 1/4 inch thick L- iron bars to reinforce it to the front body mounts. This is still not solid as a real bullbar.

 

[ellner357]

Heck, if you're going to get a "cheap" grille guard...you might as well pay the least amount. This one is $199...you can't beat the price. I've never owned one, so I can't speak on quality...good luck!

Truck Gear Direct

Well you've got a point there... I'm just hoping someone chimes in who's got some tips on haggling them down on an arb lol.

 

[GottaBeTRD]

coming from someone who used to have and like the brush guard; save your money! I liked mine for a while but then really hated it after seeing all the sick rigs here lol. But yeah like the others have said, if your really gotta have one, find yourself a used one for $100.

 

[ellner357]

Well it's looking like 900 in the states or 1200 to canada... getting this damn thing across the border is gonna cost! ****

 

[nissanh]

You are like 30 miles to the States.... but no road....

 

[ellner357]

You are like 30 miles to the States.... but no road....

You see my problem. I think swimming a bumper like that might drown me and I'd spend 300 easy taking the ferry to get down and pick it up... Lose lose situation

 

[mcaz5]

Like TRD, I too had a brush guard and really liked it at first, but it's nothing near a plate or tube bumper. My brush guard used to shake everytime I hit the highway, my new ODL is solid as rock. If you're thinking of getting one just to mount lights on, I'd save the cash and just mount them in the stock bumper or grill. It looks super clean if you do it right. Just my $.02

 

[MountainBiker]

My brush guard used to shake everytime I hit the highway,

Yeah, they shake so much they hit the fenders! And chip your paint.

What are you trying to protect the front end from? If it is errant shopping carts and flying squirrels, then get the brush guard, and don't forget the matching taillight guards!

If you want to protect the paint from brush, get the vinyl protection tape that is made for this. With a brushguard, or a proper "bullbar", where does the branch go after it passes over the bar? It goes into the paint! And scrapes the side of the vehicle as you drive on through. So what is the point?

If you want protection from running into a deer, good luck. The leverage on the top of a bullbar means that you will bend something if you hit a deer at speed.

 

[mcaz5]

Yeah, they shake so much they hit the fenders! And chip your paint.

This happened to me too...

 

[theizzardking]

if you decide to come down here to pick up an arb I'm sure one of us can help you install it same trip, it only take about an hour, ARB distribution is in Washington state as well, so if you speak to the right people you can save a bit and just pick it from ARB.

 

[ellner357]

if you decide to come down here to pick up an arb I'm sure one of us can help you install it same trip, it only take about an hour, ARB distribution is in Washington state as well, so if you speak to the right people you can save a bit and just pick it from ARB.

where in Washington? Might berth the trip if I'm going there anyways.

 

[theizzardking]

where in Washington? Might berth the trip if I'm going there anyways.

renton, but you got to order through a dealer and then you just go to pick it up, pm me after you check around a bit on this option, i might be able to get a little group buy going....