Jaos Center Protector R Install

[Koz]

Alternate For the JAOS

I looked at the JAOS and was ready to get it until I found this guard. The reason I got this one was because of several reasons. The first and most important was that it provides more/stronger protection. The upright plate material (304 stainless not powder coated like JAOS) itself is thicker and the tubing has a larger diameter. The tubing also protects the whole bumper, not just the headlights. The only powder coated steel is the mounting brackets. I could not bring myself to lay out $1300 for the full brush guard, so I was going to get the center protector at $600 and change. The guard I got cost $470 for the full brush guard. I added (bought) all stainless hardware for an additional $90. If you guys have used powder coated steel and zinc dipped bolts you'll know that they rust in a few years. I can tell you this guard is top quality highly polished 304 stainless and with stainless hardware it's going to last a long time. With the headlight guards on the guard it is big and bling but it looks great and provides great protection. If you don't want all that, you can unbolt the headlight guards and just use the center protector and bolt on the headlight guards when going off-road.

You can find the guard on eBay from this vendor. http://motors.search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZpepbeauty

Koz

 

[Luxury]

Sounds cool. So where are your pics?

 

[Koz]

I just got rear ended and the truck is in the shop. The brush guard saved the front end when I was pushed into the vehicle in front of me so it will be replaced. As soon as I get it back I'll post some pics.

Koz

 

[gaslight]

my concern would be with those brackets that hold the top of the guard. They don't look strong enough to withstand much of a impact and would wind up punching a hole in the condenser and radiator.

 

[Koz]

my concern would be with those brackets that hold the top of the guard. They don't look strong enough to withstand much of a impact and would wind up punching a hole in the condenser and radiator.

No brush guard is intended protect your vehicle from impact. They can protect from a minor bump. I can tell you that you would not want the top brackets to be extra strong because it would effect the way the front of the vehicle absorbs the impact. I just had an accident where I was pushed into the car in front of me and the upper bracket bent and aborbed the impact without damaging the radiator support where the bracket was attached.

Koz

 

[Koz]

Re: Alternate For the JAOS

I looked at the JAOS and was ready to get it until I found this guard. The reason I got this one was because of several reasons. The first and most important was that it provides more/stronger protection. The upright plate material (304 stainless not powder coated like JAOS) itself is thicker and the tubing has a larger diameter. The tubing also protects the whole bumper, not just the headlights. The only powder coated steel is the mounting brackets. I could not bring myself to lay out $1300 for the full brush guard, so I was going to get the center protector at $600 and change. The guard I got cost $470 for the full brush guard. I added (bought) all stainless hardware for an additional $90. If you guys have used powder coated steel and zinc dipped bolts you'll know that they rust in a few years. I can tell you this guard is top quality highly polished 304 stainless and with stainless hardware it's going to last a long time. With the headlight guards on the guard it is big and bling but it looks great and provides great protection. If you don't want all that, you can unbolt the headlight guards and just use the center protector and bolt on the headlight guards when going off-road.

You can find the guard on eBay from this vendor. http://motors.search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZpepbeauty

Here is my new (after accident) brush guard. This picture is without headlight guards.


Koz

 

[Koz]

Here it is with the headlight guards, I think it looks better with them.

 

[Koz]

Here is a close-up from the side, you can see the quality (all stainless). I paid extra for the stainless hardware. The guard comes with high quality zinc dipped hardware but I wanted all stainless.

 

[Sifrk]

Re: Alternate For the JAOS

Koz (or anyone else), is there a way to apply some preventive maintenance to help guard against the rusting? I really like the look of the JAOS guard.

Second question for everyone (especially those with the JAOS guard). Has anyone use "lock tight" on the bolts to add a bit more protection against potential thieves?

I looked at the JAOS and was ready to get it until I found this guard. The reason I got this one was because of several reasons. The first and most important was that it provides more/stronger protection. The upright plate material (304 stainless not powder coated like JAOS) itself is thicker and the tubing has a larger diameter. The tubing also protects the whole bumper, not just the headlights. The only powder coated steel is the mounting brackets. I could not bring myself to lay out $1300 for the full brush guard, so I was going to get the center protector at $600 and change. The guard I got cost $470 for the full brush guard. I added (bought) all stainless hardware for an additional $90. If you guys have used powder coated steel and zinc dipped bolts you'll know that they rust in a few years. I can tell you this guard is top quality highly polished 304 stainless and with stainless hardware it's going to last a long time. With the headlight guards on the guard it is big and bling but it looks great and provides great protection. If you don't want all that, you can unbolt the headlight guards and just use the center protector and bolt on the headlight guards when going off-road.

You can find the guard on eBay from this vendor. http://motors.search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZpepbeauty

Koz

 

[Koz]

Re: Re: Alternate For the JAOS

Koz (or anyone else), is there a way to apply some preventive maintenance to help guard against the rusting? I really like the look of the JAOS guard.

Second question for everyone (especially those with the JAOS guard). Has anyone use "lock tight" on the bolts to add a bit more protection against potential thieves?

The best PM for your guard is to keep it clean/waxed. If you see rust starting, remove rust with wire brush, sand and prime/repaint before it does any real damage.

I used stainless bolts and nylon locking nuts. After they were tightened the only way to remove them was to break them off. You can use lock-tite and you could also use a center punch to peen over the end of the bold with the nut after it's tightened.

Koz

 

[BerettaMarksman]

Re: Re: Alternate For the JAOS

Koz (or anyone else), is there a way to apply some preventive maintenance to help guard against the rusting? I really like the look of the JAOS guard.

Second question for everyone (especially those with the JAOS guard). Has anyone use "lock tight" on the bolts to add a bit more protection against potential thieves?

No worries on the Jaos. Everything is stainless, so no rust to ever worry about.

This is one quality piece. I've never seen something so well contructed and I'm in love.

Many more pics here

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showt...144&perpage=15&highlight=beretta&pagenumber=1

 

[Sifrk]

I appreciate the suggestions. I'm leaning more towards the Jaos bars for the look, although having some functional use would help make the decision a bit easier. For those that have it, is it of any use other than a fancy ornament? Can I actually be reasonably assured it's not going to cause more damage to me in a slow-speed, head-on collision? Its supposed to prevent damage, but the way it's bolted on seems to suggest that it might cause more than it prevents.

Maybe I'm way off base here...???

 

[sharp4runr]

Maybe I'm way off base here...???

You're not at all off base. For low speed accidents (probably 5-10 MPH) its going to take the abuse. I think any faster and the bars will probably bend back into your sheet metal and probably cause some damage.

 

[Koz]

I appreciate the suggestions. I'm leaning more towards the Jaos bars for the look, although having some functional use would help make the decision a bit easier. For those that have it, is it of any use other than a fancy ornament? Can I actually be reasonably assured it's not going to cause more damage to me in a slow-speed, head-on collision? Its supposed to prevent damage, but the way it's bolted on seems to suggest that it might cause more than it prevents.

Maybe I'm way off base here...???

Again, no brush guard is intended to protect your vehicle from impact. They can protect from a minor bump, like someone backing into a parking space and bumping your front end. In some cases/accidents the guard may cause more damage. I can tell you that you would not want the top brackets to be extra strong because it would effect the way the front of the vehicle absorbs the impact. I just had an accident where I was pushed into the car in front of me and the upper bracket bent and aborbed the impact without damaging the radiator support where the top brackets are attached.

Koz

 

[Sifrk]

Again, appreciate the info.

I think I'll go with the Jaos and hope for the best. I'll post some pictures when I get it and have got it installed.

 

[Sifrk]

I just installed the Jaos CP last night. It was easier than I thought it would have been. I'm pretty happy with it. Feel sturdy and strong, but who knows how it'll hold up in a fight with the backend of a sedan...ha. I probably won't be getting the mounted lights cause I hear that in sunny SoCal, the coppers are giving out tickets for them even when not in use. Apparently, you have to have them covered when not in use, and that's just not sitting right with me.

Anyway, I think the next move is to get a BattleZ exhaust. Probably will be getting just the catback piece, not the full exhaust. Anyone have any opinions of the BattleZ? Kinda also interested in a Borla, but not sure they make one specifically for the V8.

 

[Jason B]

I just installed the Jaos CP last night. It was easier than I thought it would have been. I'm pretty happy with it. Feel sturdy and strong, but who knows how it'll hold up in a fight with the backend of a sedan...ha. I probably won't be getting the mounted lights cause I hear that in sunny SoCal, the coppers are giving out tickets for them even when not in use. Apparently, you have to have them covered when not in use, and that's just not sitting right with me.

Anyway, I think the next move is to get a BattleZ exhaust. Probably will be getting just the catback piece, not the full exhaust. Anyone have any opinions of the BattleZ? Kinda also interested in a Borla, but not sure they make one specifically for the V8.

The BattleZ does sound good. I have a sound clip on my site.

 

[Sifrk]

I think I heard that clip. Problem was, I couldn't really tell how far the mic was from the exhaust during recording. You get close enough and most stock exhaust sound pretty good too.

I have no frame of reference so sorry for my ignorance. BTW, how large is the tip on that thing? It looks huge!!!

 

[Jason B]

It's not loud. It's a mellow, more exotic "tuned" sound. The borla will be louder, but that doesn't necessarily mean better. I've sold both, and everyone likes both.

 

[Koz]

I think you guys should take a look at the Magnaflow all stainless cat-back system. I would put this system up against ANY other system, as far as quality, sound and looks. Also you would save ALOT of money compared to the BattleZ. I've spent $1200 on a titanium motorcycle exhaust, so it's not the money. The Magnaflow system is as good or better then OEM quality and is hands down the "best bang for the buck".

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=11822&perpage=15&pagenumber=3

Koz