Brush guards?

[BigBrother]

So, I may be buying a 4runner soon (my first) and was really interested in the different brush guards available (is that what you call them here? You know- the cages on the front )

Anyway, I know very little about what types are available, etc. I do know I want one of the simple black ones that matches the major lines of the original grill/front, and does not stick out far so that parking is still easy.

So, can you guys fill me in? Post pics? Any pics of black or galactic 4R's with them would be awesome. I may try to bargain the dealer to throw it on for me, so also let me know who makes them, if they're from toyota direct, etc.

Many, many thanks!!

 

[wifesrunner]

Toyota does not make a full grill/brush guard. Your best bet to find all the different types is do a google search. You'll find tons of stuff with pictures. Good luck!

 

[BigBrother]

Is there any recommended site that sells them but along with good pictures so I can see the difference? A lot of them don't have pics.

Thanks!

 

[p nut]

ARB, JAOS and few others make them. Look at Jason Burtman's site here:

http://www.burtmanindustries.com/zoomprod.php?id=4run_jaos_bull_99_02

If you're doing this just for aesthetics, that is fine, but off-road, they offer virtually no protection, so be wary of that.

 

[Jason B]

So, I may be buying a 4runner soon (my first) and was really interested in the different brush guards available (is that what you call them here? You know- the cages on the front )

Anyway, I know very little about what types are available, etc. I do know I want one of the simple black ones that matches the major lines of the original grill/front, and does not stick out far so that parking is still easy.

So, can you guys fill me in? Post pics? Any pics of black or galactic 4R's with them would be awesome. I may try to bargain the dealer to throw it on for me, so also let me know who makes them, if they're from toyota direct, etc.

Many, many thanks!!

What year 4Runner are you getting? I have many options.

 

[BigBrother]

2006. If anybody has any opinions on these, which are considered the best, etc. - please chime in!! Again I'm looking for black, and with the vertical lines that follow those of the original grill.

Thanks

 

[BenSD]

Don't do it! You might think they're cool right now, but they are non functional, and rather lame. They are not going to help you in an accident (they might make it even worse), and it will make the vehicle difficult to clean. Also, they work against you when offroading. Unless you're driving through the bush on a daily basis and you have a habit of running into kangaroos, they are silly.

If you want to make your 4Runner look more offroad capable, consider some good AT or MT tires, and perhaps a lift.

Trust me, if you get one, you'll wish you didn't after a little while. I too thought they were cool looking when I first got my 4runner, but now when I see a SUV with one on it, I picture the owner as a mallrunner douchebag.

If you're absolutely determined though, at least take a look at the ARB bumper options. They at least look badass --- though still a bit silly on a 4th gen.

 

[Uneek]

I don't like the full brush guards much. I've got the Strona lowbull bar, it's not as big and intrusive. The only thing these bars and guards will do is deter those who park by feel. If they back into you at more than 5mph, there'll probably be more damage since the bar or guard will fold into and crush the bumper. Without it, vehicles have bumpers that can sustain a low impact with minimal damage, outside of a cosmetic blemishes.

With that said, if my stock bumper is damaged, rather than pay $700 or so plus labor to replace it, I would get a Shrockworks bumper. Too bad there aren't any many rear steel bumper options.

 

[oilburner]

I have Westin sportsman series brush gaurds on the 4-runner and my truck. Both are black powdercoated stainless. If you get one, make sure it's stainless, or else it will eventually rust. I happen to like the brush gaurd, on any truck or SUV. It saved my grille and hood on my truck when I had a head on with a deer. Instead of replacing the parts, all I had to do was hose off the parts........And for off roading, a brush gaurd gives a nice spot to mount some capable lighting.

 

[BenSD]

I have Westin sportsman series brush gaurds on the 4-runner and my truck. Both are black powdercoated stainless. If you get one, make sure it's stainless, or else it will eventually rust. I happen to like the brush gaurd, on any truck or SUV. It saved my grille and hood on my truck when I had a head on with a deer. Instead of replacing the parts, all I had to do was hose off the parts........And for off roading, a brush gaurd gives a nice spot to mount some capable lighting.

But it also kills your approach angles by a lot, which will make your vehicle very difficult to do any offroading with. It's almost like putting 22 inch rims on a 4runner.

 

[oilburner]

But it also kills your approach angles by a lot, which will make your vehicle very difficult to do any offroading with. It's almost like putting 22 inch rims on a 4runner.

I've never noticed a problem with brush gaurd messing up approach angles, afterall, it's only about 4-6 extra inches of steel out front. If it hits, it hits. You're offroading, thats what its there for. The leading edges of it should be rubber, so no big deal.

 

[Jason B]

2006. If anybody has any opinions on these, which are considered the best, etc. - please chime in!! Again I'm looking for black, and with the vertical lines that follow those of the original grill.

Thanks

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