Grille Guards

[Jhr579]

Hello all, as I'm sure several of you can tell I'm new to the forums, but not so much to the 4runner. A brief intro would go something like this: I'm Hunter, I'm 18 and a college student living in Kentucky.

With that out of the way I just had a question about grille guards. I've had my silver 2000 sr5 4runner for 2 years now and it is still entirely stock, but I'm starting to look at investing in a few upgrades for it, the first of which is going to be a grille guard I've decided. The only problem is I don't know which one, I've done some browsing around but haven't found anything I'm for sure about yet. I was hoping that you all could give some suggestions about whats good. If possible I'd like to stay around or under $500, now if that isn't possible just let me know and what it is you'd recommend above that. Thanks for any help!

 

[4Runner93]

Well, there's Smitybuilt, Manik (though I think they are no longer around), Hunter, Westin, etc. All pretty good grille guards. Though, for $500, you could maybe get lucky and score a ARB bumper used or spend maybe $100 more for one from a shop with a little dealing.

I know xskydivingdudex got a used ARB here in San Antonio for $500. Also, you'll probably hear that Grille Guards do more damage than protection at high speeds. That's true, but for low speeds, it can save you some damage.

 

[theizzardking]

Yeah if your in the $500 range i say hold out and start searching for an arb, when your out hunting a winch would be nice insurance as even without a lift and tires and all of the rest can get you out and through alot of stuff. I know your not trying to build a wheeling rig here so seriously all you really need is a winch bumper and some good rubber to get through the muddy fields and trails.

That said if your completely against the idea i had the manik grill guard on my truck before the arb and i liked it alot for what it was.
Alot of people will tell you to only get the grill guard for cosmetic reasons and to hold some fogs. .i won't argue with that but in my case when i got side swiped by a metro bus it did save my fender from some rash and a huge dent in exchange there was only 1 small deep dent from where the headlight guards flexed into the body and put all of the force on a bolt head into the fender.
It rocked the whole truck side to side and i am sure the whole front of that fender would have been crushed.

That said that was one instance and one set of scenarios. I would still say only get the grill guard for cosmetic reasons, and really man i wouldn't spend more then$ 250-300 tops for one.

I think in the long term you should just hold out save the extra couple of hundred and get something truly functional. Heck get your family and freinds to help you out as a christmas present. Lol.

I'll post up pics of my truck with the grill guard and with the arb.

I hope this helped some what and welcome to the forum!

 

[bak3rme]

search craigslist..they usually go for like 150-200 in my area. like everyone else said..if u got 500 to lay down on a grille guard...get urself an ARB bumper

 

[theizzardking]

how it looked with the grill guard

damage from the grill guard and accident

you can see the round dent where the bolt hit the body when the head light guard flexed back and into the truck.

keep looking around and the arb you want is for a tacoma a '95 i believe

 

[99NWA4R]

i say go with the hunter brand, it'll be around 220 shipped on ebay.

 

[KeatonMP]

Are you really set on a grille gaurd? I I were you I'd take that 500 bucks and buy a lift or some spacers, maybe some black steelies or a roof rack.

 

[Jhr579]

Sorry all for the extremely late reply.

Thanks everyone for posting your thoughts and suggestions, they've all been really helpful. I think I have decided to save up a little bit more and do some looking for an ARB bumper, I like the look and the overall functionality of them vs a traditional grille guard.

I do have just a few more follow up questions though. So I am looking for the one built for the 95 Tacoma correct? And I've also read there is some trimming somewhere involved when installing it, could anyone confirm/deny that for me and if there is some trimming how much is involved exactly?

Thanks again!

 

[GottaBeTRD]

good choice! I'm actually wishing i would have saved for a shockworks bumper instead of buying my grill guard. it was cool at fist but im almost ready for some change.