As requested, here's a brief writeup about the Jaos Center Protector R. I'll share my experiences with this mod.
First off, I ordered it from Jason Burtman, and received it super fast --- nearly next day. I must be really close to the warehouse it was shipped from. Thanks Jason!
The protector came packaged in box that wasn't too big. Here's a shot of it next to the runner to see the scale. The UPS label said it was 31 lbs.
Here is a photo of all the parts unpacked from the box. As another user pointed out, all the items are wrapped in japanese newspapers. It was really fun going through the newspapers.
Next is a photo of the parts after they have been unwrapped from their packaging. The kit is comprised of 4 mounting brackets, the two vertical posts, a crossbeam with the Jaos logo lasercut into it, as well as all the necessary mounting hardware.
All the instructions were in Japanese, but it's a piece of cake to put on thanks to the diagrams. The most difficult part of the install was removing some plastic plugs. They hold the rubber guards in place that protect the headlights from any debris entering the air intake. One of the plugs on each side is located below the plastic bumper, so access is a bit limiting. Other that, it was a piece of cake. Here is a photo of the mounting brackets in place.
After the brackets were in place, I assembled the center protector. It is held together by 4 bolts, two on each side. This unit weighs close to 30lbs, so it's not all that heavy.
When mounting the center protector, I put a towel over the front bumper in order to protect the paint. It was pretty easy to mount with just one person. Just take your time so you don't drop it and gash your front bumper.
Below is a photo of the protecter installed. Sorry for the low quality photo. My camera doesn't have a flash, and ISO 3200 was barely enough to shoot in the low light at f/2.8.
I had mixed feelings about the front protector after seeing it on the 4Runner last night. It looked pretty good, but I just wasn't blown away. This morning when I looked at it in daylight, I liked it a lot more. I think it just took a little while to get use to it. When I mount lights on it, I think it'll look even better.
Overall, the product is pretty well made given how light it is. I like how the top braces go between the grille and bumper. It gives enough room to add the front end mask, which I like to use because it has already saved my paint a few times. However, I do wish that there was a better way to hide the bolts that hold the protector to the brackets. It would be better if the steel from the protector extended behind the bumper where it was then mounted to the bracket. All 6 bolts that hold the protector to the brackets are exposed. If someone had the time and the tools, then could easially steal it. That's not a big concern in my area, but you never know. I'm going to see if there is some way I can drill another set of holes through the lower brackets and add a lock, or something to stop the wannabe theives.
The build quality is pretty good, but this is not something you're going to use to push other vehicles. The brackets simply aren't built for it. It would be nice if they beefed up at least the lower brackets, but it looks like the existing holes were tough to work with. This is mostly for holding lights, and protecting against the idiots out there who use impact with another vehicle as an indicator that they are too close when parking their car. That is one of the reasons why I decided to get this protector. Someone ran into the front of my runner just a few days ago in a parking lot. Some blue paint rubbed off on the front, and it did some other very minor scrapes to the paint. I think I'll be the only one that notices the damage, but it was frustrating nonetheless.
This morning, I decided to see if I could put on the front end mask with the Jaos Center Protector R in place. It took a little bit of convincing to get the mask between the bumper and the protector, but if you sneak it through the gap that's formed by the lower air intake, it works fine. None of the clips on the mask interfere with the protector. I'm anxious to see what the protector will look like with lights. Needless to say, I think my front end is pretty well protected now...... between rocks and soccer moms, I'm in pretty good shape.
First off, I ordered it from Jason Burtman, and received it super fast --- nearly next day. I must be really close to the warehouse it was shipped from. Thanks Jason!
The protector came packaged in box that wasn't too big. Here's a shot of it next to the runner to see the scale. The UPS label said it was 31 lbs.
Here is a photo of all the parts unpacked from the box. As another user pointed out, all the items are wrapped in japanese newspapers. It was really fun going through the newspapers.
Next is a photo of the parts after they have been unwrapped from their packaging. The kit is comprised of 4 mounting brackets, the two vertical posts, a crossbeam with the Jaos logo lasercut into it, as well as all the necessary mounting hardware.
All the instructions were in Japanese, but it's a piece of cake to put on thanks to the diagrams. The most difficult part of the install was removing some plastic plugs. They hold the rubber guards in place that protect the headlights from any debris entering the air intake. One of the plugs on each side is located below the plastic bumper, so access is a bit limiting. Other that, it was a piece of cake. Here is a photo of the mounting brackets in place.
After the brackets were in place, I assembled the center protector. It is held together by 4 bolts, two on each side. This unit weighs close to 30lbs, so it's not all that heavy.
When mounting the center protector, I put a towel over the front bumper in order to protect the paint. It was pretty easy to mount with just one person. Just take your time so you don't drop it and gash your front bumper.
Below is a photo of the protecter installed. Sorry for the low quality photo. My camera doesn't have a flash, and ISO 3200 was barely enough to shoot in the low light at f/2.8.
I had mixed feelings about the front protector after seeing it on the 4Runner last night. It looked pretty good, but I just wasn't blown away. This morning when I looked at it in daylight, I liked it a lot more. I think it just took a little while to get use to it. When I mount lights on it, I think it'll look even better.
Overall, the product is pretty well made given how light it is. I like how the top braces go between the grille and bumper. It gives enough room to add the front end mask, which I like to use because it has already saved my paint a few times. However, I do wish that there was a better way to hide the bolts that hold the protector to the brackets. It would be better if the steel from the protector extended behind the bumper where it was then mounted to the bracket. All 6 bolts that hold the protector to the brackets are exposed. If someone had the time and the tools, then could easially steal it. That's not a big concern in my area, but you never know. I'm going to see if there is some way I can drill another set of holes through the lower brackets and add a lock, or something to stop the wannabe theives.
The build quality is pretty good, but this is not something you're going to use to push other vehicles. The brackets simply aren't built for it. It would be nice if they beefed up at least the lower brackets, but it looks like the existing holes were tough to work with. This is mostly for holding lights, and protecting against the idiots out there who use impact with another vehicle as an indicator that they are too close when parking their car. That is one of the reasons why I decided to get this protector. Someone ran into the front of my runner just a few days ago in a parking lot. Some blue paint rubbed off on the front, and it did some other very minor scrapes to the paint. I think I'll be the only one that notices the damage, but it was frustrating nonetheless.
This morning, I decided to see if I could put on the front end mask with the Jaos Center Protector R in place. It took a little bit of convincing to get the mask between the bumper and the protector, but if you sneak it through the gap that's formed by the lower air intake, it works fine. None of the clips on the mask interfere with the protector. I'm anxious to see what the protector will look like with lights. Needless to say, I think my front end is pretty well protected now...... between rocks and soccer moms, I'm in pretty good shape.
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I had been debating whether or not to go with the Jaos lights, but I think I have my decision. My center protector arrived late this evening--I know what I'll be doing tomorrow!
