front grill guards

[AWILLIAMS64]

does anyone have any reccomendations for brush guards for an 01 passport. I drive at night and have almost hit about 10 deer so i am thinking it may be a good investment. Also what years will interchange. I see a "junk" rodeo on my way to work and it has one on it. I may be able to pick it up cheap. but it looks to be an older one.

[amigo-2k]

Brush guards are great for keeping brush off your truck, but if you hit a deer and bump a car at slow speed they will cause even more damage since they will push back into your headlights, fenders and hood.

[Ramblin Fever]

I agree; a brushguard serves no real purpose other then looks and pushing the occasional grocery buggy out of a parking spot; or holding on a set of fog lights. If you want front-end protection, look at an ARB bumper, but you're looking at $600+ easy for one.

[Gizmo42]

I'm kinda mixed about brush guards. Here is what happened to Mikes rodeo after running into the back of someone....



Speed was less then 40 MPH but I dont know the exact speed. One problem he had was he used the 3/8" grade 3 bolts that came with it and the 2 lower bolts sheared off allowing it to pivot.

I upgraded mine to 1/2" grade 8 bolts which fit much tighter in the holes and allow a lot higher torque to hold everything in place. I smacked a rock pretty hard in Moab and the guard didnt budge a bit. Hard to see but the lower bar is bent pretty good, not just dented...



How it would do against a deer I dont know. It did save my bumper from the rock. It may absorb some of the impact but still bend back, who knows. Without one you'll end up with at least as much damage I think.

Deer can do alot of damage if you hit them fast enough.

Troopersaurus
Deer in Beemer

[AWILLIAMS64]

these are good points. i am usually traveling about 55-60 when the deer seem to like to run in front of me. I may just take my chances. I did not think about the guard coming back on imact. Especially with the cost of these i guess it would be more for looks than protection. Full coverage insurance is the way to go i think now. If i could get one cheap, that may be a different story,. and like you said reinforce it with larger bolts.

[kaufmanp92eb]

you might try picking up a set of deer whistles and installing them on your front end. I had a buddy who had the same problem. deer seemed to be attracted to his truck. he put those things on and now hasn't had one run in front of him yet. I am pretty sure they are inexpensive and can find them at most parts stores.

[AWILLIAMS64]

i am definitely going to do that. I read that the deer now are used to that sound so it no longer bothers them. When they first came out it was new and unusual so they were all afraid of it. now who knows. i know for bikes they have one that increases sound as the rpms go up and down., you cant hear it on the bike but in front of it it is obnoxious i hear,,,no pun intended

[Gizmo42]

The has been debate about using them on bikes for years. Some say they could cause the deer to be more likely to run in front of you cuz it scares them as you get close. Dont know if its ever been proved, I've never put them on my bike though. Came really close to hitting a deer on my bike one, scared the crap outta me.

What I would like to have on mine..

[Ramblin Fever]

Full insurance is the way to go....for what vehicles cost nowdays.

My truck is pushing 11yrs old in May, I'm still carrying full coverage on it.

[AWILLIAMS64]

yes...full coverage insurance. I have it on all my vehicles, 07 shadow spirit 1100, 08 honda element, 01 passport and even my 1991 chevy stepside pickup. It only costs like $20 every 6 months more to keep it on my pickup so i figure why not.