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bug shield - front end protection

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Bed liners

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Don't like the Mopar shields because they cover up chrome trim at the top of the radiator. I've seen some that go between the chrome trim and hood, anyone know where I can get these? I think one brand was Stampeed(?).

Will be going to Alaska next month, getting Geno's headlight shields and have installed Mopar mud flaps. Anyone come up with any good products or homebrew ways of protecting against stone chips?

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2001 Ram 3500 QC 4x4, Cummins HO with 6 speed trans. Trailer tow, camper package, stock w/all the goodies except leather. Pulling 3 horse slant load with Lance 8. 5 slide-in camper.
 
Could you tell me the part nubers that you used to order the Mopar mud flaps (front and rear for the DRW)? I also have a 2001 3500 but mine is a 2x4. I believe the 4x4 uses different mud flap that is longer.

Thanks
Tim

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2001, 3500, 2X4, QC, SLT, Auto, 3. 54 gears, camper and tow packages. Lance model 1130 camper.
 
Bajapilot, I had both the PCI and later, the EGR brands of bug shields on my Ram. Both of these brands are installed between the grille and the hood. Unfortunately, both were back painted black to match my Ram. I say unfortunately because dirt and other foreign material gets caught in the crack between the hood and the bug shield, wearing away the paint on the back side of the shield. This wouldn't happen if you elected not to paint the shield however, eventually the trapped foreign material (which is very difficult to remove) will wear away the paint on the hood in the crack area. After these two (3-piece) shields I purchased a 3-piece GTS bug shield which I liked quite a bit better than the others however (again), if you are not careful foreign material can become trapped just underneath the center shield at the trailing edge. The center of this shield has three coated steel clips which are sandwiched between the hood and grille. Four, double back velcro "spots" are utilized to further secure the center shield to the hood. I recently removed this bug shield as well when I installed my '00 Sport grille. I'm thinking of ordering the 3-piece Prime Designs bug shield that looks very similar to the GTS although, the attachment method is 3M double back tape.

Also noteworthy, the PCI shield is made of Lexan although, the center section cannot be installed without the shield having a warped appearance, regardless of how loose you leave the six grille to hood attachment nuts. I realize the Mopar 3-piece bug shield is very popular among Rammers although, not with me! That was the very first shield I purchased. Quality problems with the acrylic as well as aesthetics were reasons I removed mine. The only thing it did better than any of the others was minimize mirror flutter. The down side to this was it also didn't work very well at all.

Deflecta (I believe) also produces a 3-piece bug shield that sandwiches between the grille and hood. Rob Hanson has this on his Flame Red 3500 4x4. A pic of this may be seen in his pics link at the bottom of one of his posts or in the "your rigs" section of this site.

Any of these bug shields (except the Mopar shield) can be ordered from places like 4 Wheel Parts Wholesalers, Desert Rat, Summit Racing, Central Four Wheel Drive, JC Whitney or your local 4x4 shop.

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'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4, (BLACK) SLT Sport, ISB, LWB, 3. 54 LSD, A/T, Glasstite Vision II canopy, Line-X bed liner, 285/75R16 BFG A/Ts on 16x8 M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares, front and rear NW Custom stainless steel/rubber mud flaps, Mag-Hytec diff. cover and trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Mopar tow hooks, Jordan Research Ultima 2020 trailer brake controller, VDO Vision gauges, '00 Sport grille, '00 Sport headlights with PIAA Super White 9007/9004 bulbs, 4-2-7+4 Brite-Box, PIAA Dual Sport 900 auxiliary lights, BD exhaust brake and TorqLoc, Prime-Loc fuel filter relocation kit, Bosch 275 hp. injectors, VA CPC, DD Boost Module, Banks Stinger wastegate actuator, "Scotty Air System", BLACK '00 valve cover, Banks Stinger 4" dia. stainless steel exhaust system, BD LV V10/Cummins hybrid TC and valve body, BD modified transmission front pump and PressureLoc, plus many other trick modifications

[This message has been edited by John (edited 05-09-2000). ]
 
bajapilot,
If going to Alaska is the reason your looking for a bug shield, look into other protection.
Get a big screen to protect the whole front end if you want to avoid chips in the paint and the chrome grill... ... ... Don't worry about esthetics, worry about big rocks that can chip anything you got... ..... Anything that works is cool on that road! I would suggest some of that clear tape for the front work. It will do the job and can be peeled off after the "adventure".
Ron
Ron
 
Thanks for the replies regarding bug shields. Red1ton, the mopar mud flaps I use were front - 82401334, rear- 82203036. The front are flat plastic (not molded) and the rear are the heavy rubber (looks like 3/8 in. ) They look good and are reasonably priced. Be warned that only 3 or 4 of the rear flap holes line up on the 2001. Just drill holes in the rubber for the 2 that don't line up. 01's moved a couple of the screw holes for the wheel liner. Mine are the 3" longer for the 4wd, you may want the shorter ones.

John & Ron, thanks for the suggestions. I think I will try to fabricate a screen to cover the whole front end. Not looking forward to the stone chips but my gas truck is getting to tried for this kind of trip. Maybe I can weld up a frame out of square turbing and cover with 1/4" screen. Can't find a ready made screen anywhere.

Do you think the tape, Stonegard or other, will pull off ok without messing up the paint?

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2001 Ram 3500 QC 4x4, Cummins HO with 6 speed trans. Trailer tow, camper package, stock w/all the goodies except leather. Pulling 3 horse slant load with Lance 8. 5 slide-in camper.
 
Bajapilot I highly recommend the X-Terminator bug shield by Lund. This is mounted between the grill and has the fender brows, best of all its $40 at Summit Racing.
I have had mine for nine months and am pleased with it. They have free shipping 1-800-230-3030

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99 2500 QC SB 4x4 5sp 3. 54 LSD 285/75/16 Rancho 9000s A. R. E. Camper Shell etc. etc.
 
Picked up a nice bug guard from Cabella's in Nebraska. Uses stick ons so the paint and chrome don't get destroyed.

Tried the 3m paint protecting tape for rock chips. Seems to be working but expensive.
 
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