hit a deer ...... need a new grill guard .... pics please

[JHardwick]

Well, it finally happened ... ..... she was coming left to right, I went left, she changed her mind and went back left! Caught her at 70mph almost dead center, probably 150# doe. The factory Mopar grill guard did it's job, but they have discontinued them. Total estimate is $2,900 and $575 for the grill guard. I'd like to see some pics or recommendations on a replacement.



I'm not really into those Texas size grill guards, those things look out of place on a SRW truck. Funny thing, you go to the mountains where they have bear, moose and elk ... ... ... . those guys have little guards like mine, or none at all. You go to Texas where they have deer the size of a big dog, and you need front air bags to carry the huge grill guard :-laf

 

[bighammer]

Bummer about your truck. I hope you can find what you need to get it back the way you want it.

The reason for the different size of bumpers is that the hill people are not in any hurry, have hills & curves, and scenery worth looking at. The texans have long, straight roads, and always seem to be standing on the go pedal. I can understand, though. They have a state the size of Texas, (no exageration there ) so to get anywhere they have to make time. The differences between 45 mph protection and 85 mph protection are striking.

 

[JHardwick]

LOL, I guess that is kind of true, but you can do 75mph or more in a lot of the big country as well. In fact, the dang moose will sneak out there quicker than the little whitetail ... ... ... I think it's because of the color.



At any rate, I'd like something similar to what I had ... ... ... . effective and not obtrusive.

 

[MMeier]

Jeff, where'd that happen at?

 

[JHardwick]

Jeff, where'd that happen at?

Actually, Becky and I were headed to Missouri with our own horses to ride for a few days when this happened (Memorial Day morning) ... ... ... ..... I was hammer down across I70 near Effingham, Ill at first light.

 

[Grizzly]

That's too bad, I hate it when that happens. I have a Luverne Push Bar & Grill Guard. See Signature.

 

[bmoeller]

Actually, Becky and I were headed to Missouri with our own horses to ride for a few days when this happened (Memorial Day morning) ... ... ... ..... I was hammer down across I70 near Effingham, Ill at first light.

Missed them all somehow, but had a choice of nearly a dozen white-tail near Camdenton, MO a few months ago. Came over the hill with the KW and, bam, there they were.



Tagged one with the Ram though, before the "bambi strainer" went on. :-laf Got lucky. Only ~$500 in actual damage. I was pretty happy about that.

 

[Cattletrkr]

Deleted Cause Something Ain't Working Right. Trying Another Post.

 

[Cattletrkr]

Sometime I'd like to find out if mine works. What if it doesn't??


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[blacksheep4x4]

Look in my picture album in the Blacksheep album. You put one of these on your truck and you'll never have to worry about deer again.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Around this part of deer and elk country, you either install a big ugly bumper that will stand a chance of survival in a collision - but looks sorta putrid - or else a purty one that is relatively weak and worthless, and simply runs up the damage total when you DO hit something... :-laf

 

[Boondocker]

I like bumpers. A typical grill guard might be semi-satisfactory in a squarely centered hit, but what if you hit the corner? I find the Ranchhand bumpers too "unsophisticated" for my tastes. Aesthetically, Buckstop is my favorite, of course I'm quite happy with my ARB.

No deer in Las Vegas, but those tourists can be hard to hit, I mean miss:-laf

 

[WStephens]

I hit three deer at once down in GA but they were so short that the bumper took the brunt of the impact and the center deer pulled the licence frame off and split the air dam on mine. the other two deer were hit by the 4 tires did not slow down much just dropped a down from 6th to 5th and was back up to 6th when I realized that the damage was minor.

 

[JHardwick]

A typical grill guard might be semi-satisfactory in a squarely centered hit, but what if you hit the corner?

I always knew that this grill guard wouldn't save a headlight, but it did save the radiator and keep me on the road.

 

[JHardwick]

Look in my picture album in the Blacksheep album.

That looks good on your truck, just a little obnoxious for my taste I think.

 

[JHardwick]

I have a Luvererne Push Bar & Grill Guard. See Signature.

I'm not sure of this constrauction. The grill guard portion looks like it will simply roll back into the grill fairly easily. The Mopar guard has laminated vertical plates with the bars bolted directly between the plates, and it still rolled back into the grill.



I dunno. I'm scheduled to be in the body shop in July after this upcoming California trip. He's gonna paint the whole truck for an extra $2,000.

 

[Grizzly]

I'm not sure of this constrauction. The grill guard portion looks like it will simply roll back into the grill fairly easily. The Mopar guard has laminated vertical plates with the bars bolted directly between the plates, and it still rolled back into the grill.

I dunno. I'm scheduled to be in the body shop in July after this upcoming California trip. He's gonna paint the whole truck for an extra $2,000.

The way it's attached, it would break or bend before it rolls back. It's quite stout. I'm not trying to sell you one, but you may want to look them up on luverne.com. We installed the same one on my son's 04. 5 3500 CTD. His truck was hit, while the truck was parked, on the front grill guard/push bar at about 45 degree angle. It didn't hurt the push bar, but it did bend the grill guard and it didn't roll. He never knew who did it, but the guy left plenty of other property damage. It did save my son's truck grill, hood, headlights and radiator. If it can save that much, it's worth the money. It is an SOB to install however.

 

[bmoeller]

That looks good on your truck, just a little obnoxious for my taste I think.

But, it does reduce the number of idiots that try to cut you off. :-laf:-laf They think twice when they see that much iron up front.



It isn't the size of the vehicle, it what up front that matters. You still get cut off with an 18 wheeler. Time for an AliArc or some other cattle catcher on the KW.

 

[DocDetonancour]

For $2900 I'd go with a real bumper and guard. MO Doc

 

[JHardwick]

I guess you are kind of on to something ... ... ... the $2,900 includes the factory bumper, plastic cover, mounts and etc ... ... ... . it also includes the grill though.



I dunno ... ... I stopped in the local truck outfitter today and was looking at displays, plus thumbing through the catalog on the wall. The dude asked if I needed help and I said I was looking for a grill guard. Heck, he got on the phone and said he could have one tomorrow, with headlight guards for $450



I said, dude, who makes it? "Oh, it's an import, better than Westin yadda yadda, your only paying for the name" ... ... ... ... I turned and walked out of there right quick.



Grizzly, I'll check that setup out more too.



bmoeller, how do those all aluminum guards hold up in a collision?