Sheesh.............

[Got HO?]

OK,



After getting the truck back from the bodyshop (deer damage), I thought I would beef up the front a little in case it happened again. I ordered a Westin Sportsman grille guard & had the bodyshop install it for me. To cut a long story short, here is a copy of the e-mail I just fired off to Westin Automotive. We'll see if I get a reply.

How they can market this crap as a "Grille Guard" is beyond me... ... ...



"I purchased & installed a Sportsman Grille Guard, part number 40-1205 for my 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel.







Who designed this thing?? Have anyone actually mounted some auxiliary lights to one in the holes provided. Please tell your bean counters that 1/8th steel does not support auxiliary driving lights without flexing like wet cardboard. I guess I was under the false impression that the grille guard might actually help to protect the front of my truck in the event of a minor hit, such as a dog or deer strike at low speeds, exactly why I bought it after experiencing some front end damage recently. (30 mph deer collision). After seeing how much flex there is due to its light construction, I realize that I should have spent the extra money & purchased a Road Armor or Buckstop product.







Perhaps you should change the name of your product from grille guard to bumper ornament.







Sincerely



XXXXXX"

 

[WyattEarp]

Well i can't blame you if they misrepresented the product, and trust me a deer collision at any speed with 1/8th steel ain't going to stop damage, if anything cause more... .

I think the word *sportsman* would have been a clue as to it being more for show than actually working like a grill guard should

 

[nick05]

that's why i got my full replacement from ranchand. very solid. thing weighs about 300 pounds i think? took a few guys to mount it. you can keep the factory fogs too. has a place for some 6" lights on the bar and the plates are 1/4". will have pics soon in profile.



nick

 

[BNH4221]

I think it was

a few issues ago in the TDR mag that someone had one of the Mopar grill guards installed on their truck. Was it Sam Memmolo? A shopping cart or something equally minor hit it and broke it. Turns out it was made out of plastic.



Bumper ornament indeed!



Steve

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

thing weighs about 300 pounds i think

Lot of weight to hang on the front end of a CTD with the steering/ball joints/death wobble issues. Then folks add a winch for good measure

I went for a sweet 1/2" aluminum DENVER OFF ROAD at 124lbs.

 

[mlewis73]

Good on ya! The auto industry is selling lightweight CRAP these days. The new trucks are no exception, unfortunately. After test driving an '06 Ram yesterday, I'm not impressed with the sheetmetal and particularly the hood. I think the grille attachment to the hood is a good idea, but did not get the impression that it is very well built. When I closed the hood it sounded like I was breaking something.



Sounds like the Buckstop grilleguard would be a better investment... I'll keep that in mind for my Ram. Good on you for telling these guys what you think of their junk.



Mike

OK,



After getting the truck back from the bodyshop (deer damage), I thought I would beef up the front a little in case it happened again. I ordered a Westin Sportsman grille guard & had the bodyshop install it for me. To cut a long story short, here is a copy of the e-mail I just fired off to Westin Automotive. We'll see if I get a reply.

How they can market this crap as a "Grille Guard" is beyond me... ... ...



"I purchased & installed a Sportsman Grille Guard, part number 40-1205 for my 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel.







Who designed this thing?? Have anyone actually mounted some auxiliary lights to one in the holes provided. Please tell your bean counters that 1/8th steel does not support auxiliary driving lights without flexing like wet cardboard. I guess I was under the false impression that the grille guard might actually help to protect the front of my truck in the event of a minor hit, such as a dog or deer strike at low speeds, exactly why I bought it after experiencing some front end damage recently. (30 mph deer collision). After seeing how much flex there is due to its light construction, I realize that I should have spent the extra money & purchased a Road Armor or Buckstop product.







Perhaps you should change the name of your product from grille guard to bumper ornament.







Sincerely



XXXXXX"

 

[Badunit]

Got some deer damage myself today going 70 mph on the interstate. Luckily I swerved just in time to not plow into it. Instead I got headbutted in front of my rear wheel and clipped it with the backside of the wheel well. Now I have two big dents to deal with. Technically it ran into me, not me into it. Scared the heck outta my wife but, because it sounded like sheet metal damage only, we just kept on going.