Grill Guard or Total Bumper Replacement?

[RGardner]

We have too many deer roaming the roads at night, so I am needing to get either a grill guard or total front bumper replacement. I am sure that the total replacement would be stronger but I am worried about adding additional weight to the front of the truck. What does the board think? And what brands do you like or dislike? I saw a Maverick that I really liked the looks of as far as the grill guard is concerned. None of the total replacements that I have seen look that good to me but if protection is my concern maybe I will have to sacrifice some looks?

 

[lkuykendall]

I have a Ranchhand front-end replacement on my 2001 and a ranchhand grill guard on my 1996. I have hit Texas white tail deer with both and have had no damage to either. If money isn't a concern, I will put another front-end replacement on my next pickup but wouldn't complain about having either of them. The front-end replacement is expensive. Last time I checked the Ranchhand was around $1000. 00. I have seen a few 3rd gen. trucks with the same front-end replacement and I think they look great. You can see pictures of mine in my gallery.



Len

 

[David Muench]

I am not convinced the grille guard would offer much protection. It may help protect the center of the bumper and the grille/headlights somewhat, but the sides of the bumpers are still flimsy. I hit a deer in the beginning of december, and damaged the stock bumper and A/C condensor. The stock bumper came to over a grand to replace. If I had a grille guard I don't think I would of had any less damage.



My Buckstop arrives monday.

 

[Jengle]

Allright, David. You have been waiting for that for a while.

RGardner, I added the buckstop to mine, with no drop in the front end. Can't really tell any difference. See my sig for the specs on my truck and my readers rigs photos. They do really nice work, the contours around the headlights make a difference. The buckstop is 240# with the grille guard and is really sturdy. I don't think a deer will hurt this one.

 

[VStahl]

ranchhand grille guard

I have had grille guards on 4 different trucks. two of the trucks have hit deer, (both deer were big muley's) one of the deer was an 8 point muley and the ranchand grille guard held up wonderfully that was on my 97 ram. I now have a ranchhand guard on my 2003 ram and it appears actually stronger the way that is mounts.



To each his own and my opion is that most likely the ranchhand guard will hold up to deer.

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

Re: ranchhand grille guard

Originally posted by VStahl

I now have a ranchhand guard on my 2003 ram and it appears actually stronger the way that is mounts.



To each his own and my opion is that most likely the ranchhand guard will hold up to deer.

Do you have any picture of it on your 03? I have been looking for one but can't seem to find any that I like. They don't have anything on their site. Also do you know if they do Chrome or Stainless, don't want black

 

[VStahl]

pics of ranchhand in readers rig

Mopar mudder,

I Put some pics in my readers rig. They only come black but can be painted to suit. they do not do chrome or stainless steal.

The guard is frame mount and very strong.

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

Originally posted by VStahl

they do not do chrome or stainless steal.

The guard is frame mount and very strong.

Thanks for the pictures, it does look good and stron in the center section. Guess I will keep looking though because I don't wanted painted.

 

[rbattelle]

Looking around at most modern grill guards, it seems to me they are almost 100% for looks, rather than actual protection from anything.

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

Yea this is what a real bumper is all about, not a real good picture though.



That is 2 runs of 4" well casing on the bottom, takes 2 men and a boy to put the thing on. In an unfortunate accident it totaled out a wagon with no damage to the truck.



Would not look real nice on my 03 though, so much easier to make stuff for the older boxier trucks.



#ad

 

[Duluth Diesel]

I have a Westin Sportsman grille guard. It is one piece, welded construction. See my readers rigs for a picture. Nice guard, and I think it will take a deer, but that's about it. Once I get sick of looking at my Westin (does look nice, but looks are surely not everything), I WILL be replacing the whole bumper. Probably Denver Off Road or ARB. I will then add a winch.

I believe that the Westin I have will take a deer, and hopefull prevent enough damage to lights and cooling systems to allow me to get home. But that's all I can say for it. Grill guards that hang over factory bumpers are nowhere NEAR a good as a full replacement.

If I had it to do over again, I would have not wasted the money on the Westin and saved up for a real deer-exploder.

 

[Deezul1]

Ask a couple of body shops which setup works best. The one body guy I know says they get a lot more damage with a grill guard than with just a stock bumper and a full replacement is best. I know a guy that hit a cow at 65mph at night and barely bent his replacement setup and as the cow pivoted around to the side of the truck smashed everything all down one side.

 

[2003Cummins4Me]

If you want a stout bumper that dont weigh a crap load, check out denver off road and ute... both are made of aluminum and just as strong as steel.

 

[RGardner]

What do the aluminum bumper cost and how much weight do they save? Have a link to their web sites?

 

[bighammer]

I have them on my 94 and my 03. Pictures of the 03 in my gallery.