Brush/Grill Guard for the Silverado?

[Black Bear]

I'm getting ready for the hunting season and I have a 2004 Slverado. I drive allot in the fall and was wondering if the brush/grill guards work to reduce damage in the event of a deer hit. (I had a bear hunting trip derailed by a deer hit in 2000--no lights--the whole front end melted off the ol 'Z71. Do the grill/brush guards effect gas mileage? If these things are for "looks" only--I'll forget it. Thanks in advance?

[rundrave]

I wouldnt know how to answer, if you hit a deer or other animal etc, probably still gonna do some damage as most of these incidents occur at a fairly high speed (highways etc).

I have a grill guard on my truck, I like it for looks, and was also able to add some custom fog lights to it.

As for being practical, and actually being used. I like it for pheasant hunting here in SD because driving through corn fields, and sunflower fields, it doest take to much force to have a stalk go right through the front of the radiator. It also protects the front paint from being scratch, and also some protection to headlights.

As for the mileage, theres going to be some added weight, but probably not enough to really make a difference in mileage.

[HOF#13]

Black Bear,

Both my brother-in-law and a friend have hit deer with their pickups and both had the grill guards. I looked at both pickups after the accidents. Let me tell you they make a difference...a big difference. There was minor (very minor) damage to the vehicle itself, nothing compared to what it would have been if the grill guard had not been there. I know my brother-in-laws grill guard has also protected him from a pheasant or two.

[Fisher Dave]

A good quality brush guard will help with a deer impact.. it will at least save the amount of damage to your truck that it cost for the guard... keeping a deer from going through the radiator is priceless if you dont like standing roadside with your thumb in the air.

Put some decent lights on it.. driving and foggers even at the 55 watt standard greatly increase your visibility on the road, and in the ditch.. and are perfectly legal.

Easier not to hit a deer if you see it coming.. the better lights make it much easier to drive at night.

[hanson]

If I had the extra $$$$, I'd be putting a Westin Sportsman chrome plated stainless grilleguard on my GMC. And then toss in a couple PIAA 520 fog or driving lights and I'd be all set.

[Powerstroke]

Quote:

---

If these things are for "looks" only--I'll forget it.

---

Most of the major brands that everyone knows of like Westin etc are only for looks. If you hit a deer square and it would've caused serious damage to your vehicle without the grill guard then the grill guard will probably get pushed back into your bumper, grill and or hood.

My point is I've seen a guy it a deer at 70 with a F250 and only spent $200 in repairs for a head light and grill replacement. A brush guard is more money than that and wouldn't have saved you any money....especially against a bear.

Some brands like Manik and companies that sell a "bumper replacement" are the way to go if you're looking for strenth and protection. They mount to the frame with more than 2 bolts (Westin)per side and will still work with your airbags incase of a serious collision. Unfortuantely these type of bumpers cost $500+

If you have really bad luck then you might want to consider it. Otherwise you're paying for a grill guard that will be pretty, but might create more damage then a deer and may also be bent and worthless after the crash. Hopefully the crash will cost more than your deductable.

Just to let you know where I really stand I am buying a bumper replacement for my Nissan Xterra because I also travel alot at night and during hunting season as well as offroad. Mine will cost ~$600 plus S+H

[Valv]

Powerstroke is correct in my opinion (tough to say for a Dodge guy....).

You can hit a deer with a brush guard but you will have more damage or same as if you don't have it.

If you want serious protection get a super heavy duty with thick steel beams to absorb the impact, especially from guard flexing top end toward hood, otherwise I've seen many getting hood, lights, and everything in front smashed by brush guard (the name says it all, brush not deer).

If your truck sits hight you might get luck getting much of impact on bumper, but if deer jumps top of guard will bend against hood.

I actually had a friend loosing a headlight on a F150 with a flimsy stock guard, and hitting a pheasant at 65mph.....

Go heavy (look at some Volvo semi trucks) or get better deductible on your insurance, it might be cheaper.

[Fisher Dave]

WHat did they ever do with all them big *cattle guards* on trains years ago?

There is your answer!

When you find them, let me know.. it would be great for morning rush hour.

[iffwalleyes]

I have had one on both of my last two trucks and I haven't hit a deer since knock on wood. I see plenty of deer that is for sure in my driving. But I can't report on the damage end. Other than I hit a pheasant last spring and it missed the grill guard and hit the headlight so I had to buy a new headlight at $250. I didn't have a kind that had headlight bars on it. I had a buddy put one a ranch hand grill guard they are spendy but they are really sweet looking there are always some on ebay. That think you could hit a deer with and not cause a bit of damage. I guess my outlook on it is it doesn't hurt to have it just in case. I have a Westin Classic on my HD now I got a great deal on ebay $200 new in box. Couldn't turn it down. Look around I have yet to pay full price for either of the two that I have had. The best part is they really jazz your ride up.