Which bug shield to buy, if any??

[bignick33]

Hello everyone, I have a 1998. 5 Cummins, red, 4X4, and i am looking to purchase a bug shield for it. Anyone have pictures of their truck with their bug shield on it? Also where is the best place to buy one, and what kind should i buy. I have seen the ones with a ram head in the middle of it and it didnt look to bad. Thanks for all the help,



Nick Kingsley

 

[illflem]

I think the only one with the Ram head is the OEM shield. I looked at several other brands before deciding on the OEM three piece unit. Looks and fits great, doesn't rub on the paint. Paid $79, but that was 6 years ago. As for if you need one, they do keep most of the bugs off the windshield and protect the paint on the leading edge of the hood. Drawbacks are they can make your antenna and rearview mirrors vibrate more, I had no problem with this though. I've heard it said that a bug shield will lower your mpgs, but don't see how it could be very much.

 

[chuck3]

Wade

I put the three piece Wade on mine, after looking at a few others I like it best, and you still see the Ram head on the hood which I like. Sorry I have no pictures.

 

[Dane]

I have the OEM from Dodge and like it. When I shopped around 1. 5 years ago, it was the one that followed the body lines the best imo and came with shields for the fenders as well as the hood.

 

[K-Man]

Bug Shield

I've got the three piece GS on ours. It really looks cool but honestly doesn't work very well. It basically directs the bugs right up to my windshield! I've tried raising the angle but it still doesn't work as expected. Just my experience... Sorry, no pix.

 

[MOWPAR]

You said "if any"

IMO nothing ruins the looks of a Dodge front end any quicker than a bug shield other than a head on collision.



Like I said IMO.



Jim

 

[C Schomer]

It's good to hear the OEM shield works. Mine is getting rock chipped and it would be nice to help the bug problem! That's going on my list! Craig

 

[bignick33]

Thanks guys for the help. Really not for sure if I am going to purchase one or not, but I am still thinking about it. My local Dodge dealer wants $102. 00 for alll three pieces but doesnt have one in stock, so I have to order one and pay for it, before I even get to see it. But, i guess that is life. Thanks again, Nick

 

[socal_rattler]

I also don't care for the bug shield cause IMHO it ruins the look... . but... . after I recently found a crack in my windshield, I am seriously reconsidering it. Has anybody with a shield still gotten a cracked windshield?

 

[GSchlegel]

socal_rattler,

I have had an aftermarket bug deflector on mine for last 170,000 miles. Still have original windshield, but have 5-10 rock chips and thousands of small pits (from sand?) They are evenly distributed over the windshield so I'm not sure the bug deflector helped the wind shield. I do think it helped save the paint on the hood though. My $. 02.

Gene

 

[socal_rattler]

Thanks Gene... I haven't had many problems with paint chips, but I had to replace the windshield on my old 1/2 ton twice and now after 9 months with the CTD I am going to have to replace it also.

 

[illflem]

The shield won't redirect glass cracking rocks but will divert road sand that pits your windshield. I had a chance to see how much my shield really does last summer. A friend was driving and I got to watch closely as we drove though a really buggy area near sunset. The low sun made the bugs very easy to see, I could see big ones coming straight at the windshield until about a foot behind the hood front, then they went screaming straight up. Sort of reminded me of a pilot ejecting from a jet.



I agree that the front of our trucks look too good to cover with a bug shield, but at the rate the rock chips were eating away at my paint and chrome those good looks wouldn't have lasted long. All depends on what kind of areas you drive in of course.

 

[bignick33]

Any pics? Still not sure if I want one or not. Might spend the money on some gauges? Nick



Merry Christmas

 

[Hammer]

Driver Design Shields

Drop me an email and I'll send you a couple of my 98 FLAME RED Rattlebox with them on,,I'm no computer whiz and can not figure how to downsize them to add them to the posts unless some one can tell me how(ok so I'm not that good with this thing),,Let me know if you want them... . Andy

 

[Hammer]

Sent the pics to you last nite,,Thought I had a better straight on shot,,Hope they show you what you need to see... . Andy

 

[jjdiesel]

Better-built stainless

The only one that actually makes the grill look Better than stock is the Better-built stainless bug shield. It makes the chrome top part of the grill look higher... enhances the appearance quite a bit.

I think Geno's has 'em.

 

[Big MAK]

JMO; but I don't like them. Never really noticed that they did any good. Messes up the airflow across the hood; can't spray windshield washer fluid on the windows at highway speed because of the turbulence they cause; the little stones get deflected into the windshield or top of the hood instead of the leading edge of the hood. Could be I'm full of it since I never tried putting one on a Dodge; just two other previously owned brands.

 

[Alaskaskiff]

Stainless hood deflector

I have run my truck both ways and the stainless hood deflector I got has mad a huge difference on both the windshield and the paint. I had my truck repainted after 4 years due to severe chipping on the leading edge of the hood and rocker panel problems and some dents. I lived in Alaska a couple years and it has seen many a gravel and dirt road, been in salt water (boat ramps), etc. After I got the truck painted I immediately put on the hood deflector and have no chips in the leading edge paint after 2 years.



I am on my 3rd windshield, having lost both of the prior ones with no front deflector. Still take an occasional rock, but the sandblasting pits are much less. Both previous windshields broke due to direct hits on the glass on the driver's a-pillar... . ie. almost a miss. ANY added deflection would have saved the glass.



Just my opinion...

 

[illflem]

No problem whatsoever for me with the OEM shield and the windshield washers

 

[Kalaehina]

I also have a Better Built stainless bug deflector on my truck and it makes a difference in protection and looks, with a polished billet grille and bumper inserts all you see is a blinding hunk of chrome cummin your way especially on a sunny day. Has anyone have the Better Built bug deflector and an Air Darn? That must be cool looking!