Hood Protection Shield vs. Air Deflector

[lawdog1]

Anybody with a new truck, or maybe just more common sense than I possess... What is the "Hood Protection Shield", it is a $90 option. Purpose/Function? I thought it must be a body colored air deflector (located at the top of the grill from the hood, thus offering some protection from rocks and bugs), but Dodge has "body colored air deflectors" listed as a $73 dealer accessory? What is the difference between the two?

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Lawdog, been wondering the same thing myself. There's the hood protection shield, the air deflector, and the "bra" which are all different things.



Both dealers I asked this question to were



Vaughn

 

[Dean Upson]

Maybe the factory charges $17 to put it on . Then again, I saw it on a truck at the dealers and I changed the order on my truck to get the durn thing, I think it looks pretty good. Also put on the side air bags as an afterthought (my wife's), I'm pretty sure I got everything offered. I really hope so.



Dean

 

[VietDoc]

When we were checking out the 2003 I asked the salesman the same question! He showed me the clear hood protection shield. It is a clear plastic like film that covers the front 2 feet or so of the hood from rock chips. it can be dealer installed. It was invisible except for the edge witch is almost invisible. I couldn't see it until the salesman found the edge by running his hand on the hood.



Richard

 

[Parshal]

Originally posted by VietDoc

When we were checking out the 2003 I asked the salesman the same question! He showed me the clear hood protection shield. It is a clear plastic like film that covers the front 2 feet or so of the hood from rock chips. it can be dealer installed. It was invisible except for the edge witch is almost invisible. I couldn't see it until the salesman found the edge by running his hand on the hood.



Richard

That is an aftermarket item that can be added. It's a film made by 3M. There's a local guy here that does it for $100. He'll even come to your house and put it on.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

VietDoc, I was wondering if that may be the case. At the invoice price I guess it's not too bad of a deal if it's good 3M stuff.



I've always wished someone could make a substance in an aerosol can you could spray on. Something that would be quite fluid so it would go on smooth, dry cear and like a semi-hard rubber or silicone substance, and then can be easily peeled off like saran wrap when you want to get rid of it.



All that for say, $10 a can



Inventors LOL



Vaughn

 

[David Muench]

Originally posted by Parshal

That is an aftermarket item that can be added. It's a film made by 3M. There's a local guy here that does it for $100. He'll even come to your house and put it on.

Anyone ever had this done? Opinions? I have thought about it many a time. .

 

[D808]

It is a plastic body color shield, that stands a small distance away from the grill top.

 

[lawdog1]

Viet Doc, just to confirm... The hood protection shield is the clear plastic film that covers the first 2 feet of the hood. The dealer installed air deflector is just what it claims to be. Let me know if have misunderstood, otherwise thanks for the help!

 

[Dean Upson]

I saw tbe same thing as federalman, looked like a bug shield the same color as the truck. Is it possible that it is the bug shield AND the film added. That would explain the extra cost.



Dean

 

[VietDoc]

Originally posted by lawdog1

Viet Doc, just to confirm... The hood protection shield is the clear plastic film that covers the first 2 feet of the hood. The dealer installed air deflector is just what it claims to be. Let me know if have misunderstood, otherwise thanks for the help!

You got it right lawdog1. I saw several trucks with the Ram Head Chrome Air Deflector and a couple of Sport models with the matching color air deflector. The clear film is not associated with the air deflector.

The dealer had only one truck with the clear film, kind of like saran wrap only thicker and no wrinkles. I guess it starts at the chrome whale mouth and hood interface?? I only noticed the trailing edge about 18 inched to 2 feet towards the windshield. I asked if it was DC installed or could the dealer install it. The sales guy said their dealership instals them.



Let me clarify one thing The SalesMan Said (& we all know they are perfect) it was the hood protection shield..... and it protects against rock chips.

I sure have quite a few rock chips in our '99. The MSPR is $90 and the invoice is $63... kind of pricey??



Actually I like Vaughn's, Spray it on and peel it off later for $10 a can



Richard

Remember Veterans Day -- God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard it and defend it. - Daniel Webster

my little corner of the world http://www.agrentals.net/veterans.htm

 

[Diesel Freak]

I bet Trojan could market a Latex version of a Bug Guard, and sell them in a three pack!

 

[VietDoc]

Originally posted by Diesel Freak

I bet Trojan could market a Latex version of a Bug Guard, and sell them in a three pack!

I'm still laughing can't seem to stop laughing either



I was laughing lots more but it said I had tooooo many images

 

[Peter Campbell]

I did not know that the latex devices also protect against rock chips. Sounds like it would hurt.

 

[Dean Upson]

I just looked at two trucks at the dealership that had the hood protection shield (from the factory) and neither had any film applied to the paint on the hood. Salesman told me that the film is put on by the dealers, not the factory.



Dean

 

[rbattelle]

This has been covered. I would provide the link to the thread, but I can't figure out how to do this. Just search on "shield, front hood protection" and click the thread with that subject. There's a nice picture of a 3500 with the front hood protection shield.

 

[Frmrdug]

Protection badly needed

I'm wondering if this 2' strip of clear material comes in a roll from the dealer or what is the correct name to get from 3M?



My dog plays hell with the paint around my bed. I'd seriously like to give something like that a try...

 

[Prairie Dog]

Finally they could make one to fit mine! :--)









(the truck of course... )

 

[Dean Upson]

I checked out my new truck yesterday and there is no plastic film on the hood of mine or any of the other trucks with this option. Salesman says the plastic film is a dealer install and not available from the factory. I have no idea if this part is any different than the bug deflector but I think it looks pretty nice with the sport package. I didn't care for the chrome ones on the SLT's, but then I'm not a big chrome fan, that's why I got the Laramie Sport. Just a matter of personal taste.



Dean