bumper guard
- Thread starter Ross
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Front or rear?
Either way, from my understanding bullbars and the like are not very effective at protecting your bumper at anything other than VERY low speed collisions, like somebody bumping you in a parking lot. I have a steelcraft bullbar and I like the look of it and I like that I could mount lights to it, but I'm under no illusions that if I'm in any kind of collision it will protect my ride. It won't. In fact, from my understanding, it usually makes the damage worse. The only thing you could get to gaurantee protection is an ARB or shrockrocks or similar bumper. Those are pretty bulletproof. I've read of people being rear ended at high speeds and having little to no damage to their rides with these bumpers. The other guy is a different story.....
Either way, from my understanding bullbars and the like are not very effective at protecting your bumper at anything other than VERY low speed collisions, like somebody bumping you in a parking lot. I have a steelcraft bullbar and I like the look of it and I like that I could mount lights to it, but I'm under no illusions that if I'm in any kind of collision it will protect my ride. It won't. In fact, from my understanding, it usually makes the damage worse. The only thing you could get to gaurantee protection is an ARB or shrockrocks or similar bumper. Those are pretty bulletproof. I've read of people being rear ended at high speeds and having little to no damage to their rides with these bumpers. The other guy is a different story.....
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
^ +1, bull bars and brush guards are purely cosmetic, they do very little to actually protect such as what you're looking for. In most cases, they increase damage, as said above. IF you decide to get a bull bar for protection, the Steelcraft is your best bet. Most all bull bars only have two mounting locations. The Steelcraft has four mounting points, so it's a little bit more durable. I still don't believe it'd offer much protection for things such as deer at over 20 mph.
BobbyZee
Member
There are two popular choices, Westin and Steelcraft.
I like the look for the Steelcraft as it is widers and goes well with the form of 4th-gen. Also the fact that it gets mounted at 4 places unlike Westin makes it a better choice. But you cannot install bigger than 5" lights on it, there is nto enough room.
Yet there are people who prefer Westin. So people also call bull bars "damage multipliers". So I guess its personal preferance.
I like the look for the Steelcraft as it is widers and goes well with the form of 4th-gen. Also the fact that it gets mounted at 4 places unlike Westin makes it a better choice. But you cannot install bigger than 5" lights on it, there is nto enough room.
Yet there are people who prefer Westin. So people also call bull bars "damage multipliers". So I guess its personal preferance.
If it is a hard enough hit there will be damage but then the insurance kicks in. My wife has a tendency to hit a dear or two every fall and an occasional dog. Only one time was there any real damage. She with one with a Grand Cherokee we had and it left no visible damage but pushed in the bumper support within about 1/2 an inch of going through the radiator. If the guard is adequate and mounted to the frame it will save the vehicle from damage if the hit isn't that hard.
A bumper system like ARB could take a hit but that is more than I want for the 4Runner. If the bumper is more than my deductable it isn't worth it.
A bumper system like ARB could take a hit but that is more than I want for the 4Runner. If the bumper is more than my deductable it isn't worth it.
:wow:
It sounds like which bull bar to choose is the least of the problems here.
:flamethrwoer2:
Having said that, I'm very happy with my Steelcraft, as mentioned it is VERY solid as it connects at 4 points and it looks like it was designed for the T4R. If you get it search for Jediwebdude's instructions as the instructions that come with it are useless. There are a few members here who have it so if you search for steelcraft I'm sure you'll find many pics. Another option is a full brush guard, but I personally think these look terrible on 4th gens. I saw one on a highlander the other day.
So Gay
Most people hit deer out my way, the most popular way is with a rifle but often with their cars/trucks. I live in the woods and deer my way are almost as common as pot holes in cities. We try to limit our driving in the evening during the fall esp. During the rut I will see at least 3 deer on my way to work almost every day. I see more deer running around then stray dogs.
This pic was taken out my bedroom window with the camera on my phone:
810moto
New member
do you grill up some deer meat after she has brought home dinner on the hood?
I have never had road kill and do not plan on it but I have had my share of venison. My wife never kills them. They always manages to serve or slow down enough so she doesn’t kill them.
hornytoad
New member
my wife is the same way. she has hit 3 deer in 2 years in her gmc jimmy.at 2000 dollars in damage and a 500 dollar deductible each time I have installed a shrockworks bumper on my 07 4runner.3weeks ago she hit another deer . a 120 pound doe.totally demolished the deer!! and not a scratch on the bumper.even though the shrockworks is expensive it is worth every penny for her safety not to mention your piece of mind.I also live in the woods 45 miles from the nearest town and there are deer everywhere. I tell my wife not to swerve as she may loose control and let the vehicle take the damage. vehicles are replaceable life is not
If you want just a bumper guard, you might consider a WAAG product.
Front and Rear Bumper Guards.
WAAG : Showroom : Toyota 4 Runner
WAAG : Showroom : Toyota 4 Runner
Front and Rear Bumper Guards.
WAAG : Showroom : Toyota 4 Runner
WAAG : Showroom : Toyota 4 Runner
Jerrydog
New member
I mean no dissrespect but it sounds like your wife needs to slow down in areas where the deer are and she needs better night time illumination. I lived in an area that was nothing but deer here in Maine and I never hit one though I was forced to stop short many times. I ran two Hella 500 lamps with 100w bulbs, they are hooked to my high beams( trigger the relay) so they are on when my highs are on. If all else fails get her a full plate welded front bumper with attached grill guard.
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Your profile picture got my attention. Your bumper or bumper guard (i dunno how you call it) looks cool and kinda DESTRUCTIVE. Your yota looks like a hummer or a military vehicle. I would like to know the name of that bumper is that the westin or steelcraft that you are talking about?
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galactic_04
New member
His bumper is the shrockworks. It's expensive, but indestructable. Look at my profile pic, that's the steelcraft. I'd recommend it, but you still have the front corners to protect. Here's a decent pic.
oh yeah that is nice but your right there are also corners that you have to protect but i think the only downside of shrockworks is the weight. I dunno and not sure about it's weight but i think from how it look it is kinda HEAVY.
Nice bumper! kinda low but that will be fine since i think it is more lighter.
Nice bumper! kinda low but that will be fine since i think it is more lighter.
She has been able to stop or slow enough where there has been no damage except the one time, a "good brush guard" should be adequate. Running lights like that in my area could lead to a ticket. Our road of many turns in it so in many cases the extra light won't help. I am yet to hit a deer and I have been out here since 06, my father in-law has not hit one either, he has been driving out here for about 40 years. About everybody else I talk to has hit one. During rut you will see deer everyday on the side of the road. I usually can see there eyes reflecting in the light out far enough but some areas the woods grow right up to the HWY. Avoiding them would be the best option but it happens.
galactic_04
New member
If you want it subtle, go with the steelcraft. It's a nice bar and braced pretty well. It may not absorb the whole impact of a deer, but it'll sure help.
That is more what I am looking for. Our roads are twisty and during the rut if we do drive in the evening or morning we are diving slower. I doubt the impact would ever be more than 30 mph at the most. Other times of year the deer are a little more predictable, except maybe opening day.
