What next? Advice? Does this brush guard piss you off

[spoiler900]

Hey guys, here are some quick photos of my 4Runner. Shes a limited 4WD in Excellent condition in and out. She has low miles, just reached 250,000! Ive spent a lot of time and money making this a great rig. I do NOT off road much, but just like the look of the truck. I feel like I am almost done with this truck, but wanted to do a few more minor things. One thing I am not happy with is the brush guard.

Should I remove the brush guard and just put a bug visor on and maybe paint the grill black? (I love that look on the silver 4Runners). Or maybe remove this brush guard and get a normal looking one, one that doesnt stick out like this one so it looks better. This may I can mount the lights on the front that I already purchased and paid to have wired up, and I feel like having a brush guard completles the look of my car with the tail light guards and roof rack.

Also thinking of finally flipping the tires as many of you have recomended to not show the white lettering, opinions if that is worth the $60 or however much that would cost

And one thing I would love is "bigger tires" but I dont want a lift, so might think of just putting wheel spacers on, is that easy and safe to do? I hear only certain brands are good for that product so if anyone has advice for that let me know.

And any other opinons please let me know! I try and keep her super clean, for a quarter of a million miles the exterior is in amazing shape and the interior is practically brand new inside. I havent seen my 4Runner in over 2 months since I am currently in Europe studying abroad and having the time of my life. (I havent driven any vehicle in 2 months except a short test drive of a Ferrari in Italy I drive this 4Runner from LA to Tucson (600 miles) to go to college and it has never let me down. Hoping to keep her until she reaches 300K, currently up to date on all maintaince.

Purchases January 2012 100% stock (I added the roof rack) with 222K miles, mint condition, dealer maintained, stolen for only $5,000

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Later purchased brush guard online. Had it mounted and immediatly didnt like it. It sticks out about 2-3 inches and changes the whole look of the front

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Side view of brush guard sticking out. Also added some TRD Wheels

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How she looks today

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Does the bulky fatness of this brush guard piss you off?

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Use these for blinding people behind me....err...umm..i mean reversing

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A few pics of my super clean interior

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Double din radio, blue tooth, streaming, and backup camera

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Last but not lease, my badge of honor

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So guys, what should I do next? I want to fix the front end and possibly ditch that brush guard, and maybe get a normal one so I can keep the lights up there since I already paid for the lights and wiring. Any other suggestions, NO I will not be lifting it. Advice or opinions? Thanks guys!

 

[eatmorechickenx]

One way or another, the brush guard has to go.

 

[spoiler900]

Yeah I definatly want to get rid of it, not in a rush to do so but hopefully within the next 6 months. Only question is do I replace it with a better looking brush guard or remove it entirely, leaning toward replacing it with a better brush guard

 

[Nelsonmd]

No, just get rid of it and don't ever look back.

Functionally, brush guards are somewhere between worthless and detrimental.

Where did the silver rim on the wheel go? With wheel like that, you want to draw attention to them, now the black color hides that fact that you have sweet wheels.

As for what's next, I'm not sure if you had something in the back of it, or if it's the dirt you are parked in, bu it looks like the rear is sagging a little bit. I'm not saying lift it, but maybe you could use a refresh on some stock parts, like the suspension.

You could try to source an addco sway bar. They are a bit stiffer than the stock one and will improve the road handling.

I think a satoshi grill would look very good on it once you get rid of the stupid brush guard.

 

[SweetWaterSurprise]

Umm, I'd remove it

 

[traffic61]

Yes, please ditch the brush guard.

It's like having Kate Upton wearing one of those nighttime brace/retainer thingies.

 

[TXRick]

I think the brush guards look better on the earlier 4runners, not the fat lipped ones. I removed mine because the previous owner hit something and dented both front corners of the hood and both fenders. The brush guard just multiplied the damage...my bug guard covers most of it up. Plus, my new bumper actually is made to protect the car from things more substantial than brush.

 

[MStudt]

You should put up a poll for this.

I vote for it to be removed. I've never liked the way they look, but that goes for any vehicle they're on.

 

[spoiler900]

Nelsonmd: I plasti-dipped the lip on the wheels. I personally like the look of the wheels being all black since it goes with my look. Luckily it is plasti-dip so in the future if I decide to take it off I can do so in about 5 seconds with no damage.

And yeah I have always wanted a brush guard, wanted one on an explorer I used to own, and was so happy to finally buy one for this 4Runner but was really dissapointed with the dimenions of this aftermarket part.

If I dont put another brush guard back up, I feel like i wasted money on the spot lights ($120) and another $50 to get installed and wired up, so I feel like I would want the 2 lights in the front, maybe a bull bar? which I dont think I will put on

I know the brush guard is just for looks and doesnt help, I am fine with that. By the way, its just the dirt I am parked on I have no rear sag and recently replaced all shocks and struts last year so it rides fantastic so I am not messing around with the suspension

 

[spoiler900]

Update: Added Poll Option!

 

[Nelsonmd]

Nelsonmd: I plasti-dipped the lip on the wheels. I personally like the look of the wheels being all black since it goes with my look. Luckily it is plasti-dip so in the future if I decide to take it off I can do so in about 5 seconds with no damage.

And yeah I have always wanted a brush guard, wanted one on an explorer I used to own, and was so happy to finally buy one for this 4Runner but was really dissapointed with the dimenions of this aftermarket part.

If I dont put another brush guard back up, I feel like i wasted money on the spot lights ($120) and another $50 to get installed and wired up, so I feel like I would want the 2 lights in the front, maybe a bull bar? which I dont think I will put on

I know the brush guard is just for looks and doesnt help, I am fine with that. By the way, its just the dirt I am parked on I have no rear sag and recently replaced all shocks and struts last year so it rides fantastic so I am not messing around with the suspension

Open your mind grasshopper...

I understand not wanting to waste money, but it's worse to spend money to make your vehicle worse. Better to fix it and learn your lesson. I think you can re-purpose the lights, maybe fit them in the grill like Blckstpgsr, which I think looks incredible, and all you are out is $50, no big deal.

I've seen some bull bars on these thing, and I personally hate them just as much as the brush guard. You could fab up a mount that goes behind the bumper and basically mount them to the fat lip bumper, or through the grill.

 

[jgue467]

Not real sure of the purpose

of brush guards. I offroad thru brush and cactus all the time, don't need no stinkin' brush guard! Then I saw what happened to a buddy of mine, when he accidently bumped someone in the work parking lot, his guard flexed back and dented his hood, so it hurt him worse to have it than not (the bumper would have just bounced at under 3mph with no damage probably). So I think they are a waste and always laugh when I see them on trucks, tells me the driver doesn't really know better and has a little too much mula. :banana:

 

[Hepar]

I'm personally not a fan of those brush guards or the tail-light guards, but you gotta do what you like. After all, you're the one who's going to be looking at it and driving it!

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

Your opinion matters more than ours. However, I do agree with you, I am not a fan of that brush guard.

One thing I AM fan of is your rack setup. I like having a good set of spot lights mounted up high like you did. Also, the rear-facing lights are great when you have some tint on your windows. Nicely done!

ETA: About the tail light brush guards... My opinion is that I do like those. They are low profile, pretty discreet, and they could prevent a cracked tail light - maybe. I'd keep 'em, just my opinion.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

I vote the brush guard and tail light guards be removed

 

[02SE]

My opinion? First and foremost, I would remove the cutesy stickers. Followed by the front brush guard and tail light guards.

If you don't use the roof rack, I'd remove that too.

 

[BrianSD_42]

No need for a poll.

Everyone is against the bush guard.

 

[Jungoes]

had the same brush guard when i bought mines, its the first thing I removed, I left the rear guards on, but they will be removed this spring when i get the LED bulbs. I don't need a front license plate where i live so i put the lights in that spot

 

[THatfield]

I have the same brushguard and I would never have had it in the first place had I not gotten a good deal on it. But I'm removing it. Just not worth the extra damage IMO.

 

[montana_jeepn]

Honestly? Remove it. It kind of makes me want to take a torch and turn it into a hundred little pieces of metal.