The real deal or knock-off?

[LetsGoHokies!]

I'm pretty set on the Manik Front Guard, so i've been shopping around for awhile and the lowest pricing ive seen is 600ish on a site or two. Well today I was browsing ebay and came across this brush guard, looks quite like the one i have been eyeing but nowhere in the auction does it mention Manik.

So I ask, is it a knock off that looks damn similar (only difference i think i see is the shape of the hoops between the two) or actually the Manik guard i've been looking for?

Here's a link to the real one on AlexJet's old rig:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14064&highlight=alexjet

And here is the link to the ebay auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/03-0...5QQihZ015QQcategoryZ33645QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I e-mailed them and asked, but in all honestly I'm an impatient fellow and I'm looking for a quicker turn around than the few days it'll take them to respond, if at all. Thanks folks!

 

[tomhaney1]

I'm pretty set on the Manik Front Guard, so i've been shopping around for awhile and the lowest pricing ive seen is 600ish on a site or two. Well today I was browsing ebay and came across this brush guard, looks quite like the one i have been eyeing but nowhere in the auction does it mention Manik.

So I ask, is it a knock off that looks damn similar (only difference i think i see is the shape of the hoops between the two) or actually the Manik guard i've been looking for?

Here's a link to the real one on AlexJet's old rig:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14064&highlight=alexjet

And here is the link to the ebay auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/03-0...5QQihZ015QQcategoryZ33645QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I e-mailed them and asked, but in all honestly I'm an impatient fellow and I'm looking for a quicker turn around than the few days it'll take them to respond, if at all. Thanks folks!

The headlight coverings are markedly different shape. Other than that cosmetically they appear the same. I'm sure the metal grade and welding is not the same though. Who knows, maybe they are made by the same manufacturer and one is sold to Manik and this one is sold generic?? Stranger things have been known to occur...

 

[Jaebster]

could also be these
http://www.ariesautomotive.net/aries_bar.html
the manik and aries look very similar. the pic is of the aries in powdercoat black but are also available in chrome/stainless(?)

 

[LetsGoHokies!]

Well damn- I thought i had found a deal... but I tend to trust brand name items alot more so than generic ones due to the fact that big brands back their items alot more readily.

It'd be nice to save 500 bucks but I'm torn as to whether it'll stand up and last like some of the more expensive products i've looked into.

 

[tomhaney1]

Well damn- I thought i had found a deal... but I tend to trust brand name items alot more so than generic ones due to the fact that big brands back their items alot more readily.

It'd be nice to save 500 bucks but I'm torn as to whether it'll stand up and last like some of the more expensive products i've looked into.

500 dollars now could save you thousands in the future...

 

[Jaebster]

On something like a brush guard, since there are no mechanical parts, I wouldn't worry too much about future problems. Also, the Ebay'er does advertise the warranty information so I really think you should wait for his response. I'd ask him how many mounting brackets and bolts hold the guard and how stable/sturdy it is. I looked in to his Ebay store and he sells all types of guards (brush, bull, tail light). The 4Runner product listed looks pretty similar to the Aries (and pretty much like the Manik). If you go in to the aries website, you can download the application guide for the 4runner and I believe the 1 page pdf file has the bracket/install instructions (I can't recall since I only glanced at it).

 

[trd_4runnin]

I would get the cheaper one. It may not be quite as nice, may rust quicker and what not, but its not like its going to cave in the second you hit something.

I mean if you are buying it for protection then you should look at an ARB bumper or something. If your buying it to look good and also for a little added protection. You can buy 2 or 3 of these and be in about the same price range. And I seriously doubt you would ever have to replace it, let alone twice.

 

[fourwd1]

... I mean if you are buying it for protection then you should look at an ARB bumper or something. If your buying it to look good and also for a little added protection. You can buy 2 or 3 of these and be in about the same price range...

I agree, all those all for looks and to mount some lights, for actual protection you need and ARB or equivalent.

 

[Falls]

They dont look the same to me , I would go for the real deal. Get what you pay for .

For some reason ( no offense to anyone ) but never thought that full brushguard's look right on the 4th gens . Look great on 3rd gens though. On 4th gens I prefer something small to hold a set of light and prevent people from bumping into the front bumper.