I'm deciding on either the Smitty Built or Manik brush guard. I'm probably going to get it from that Performance products catalogue that came the other day because the only place around here sells the Go Rhino brand. I haven't heard anything about Go Rhino, but I'm open to opinions. I like the Manik since it's no drill and has a much better warranty, but I like the Smittybuilt since it's a bit cheaper (but drilling required).
What are your guys opinions? I've seen both of them in pictures and the fit/finish looks good and so far I'm leaning towards the manik. Also, just curious: are the vertical members of Manik as thick as the Smitty when viewing a profile of the guard?

 

I got the Smittybilt. The only drilling required is on the bottom of the frame. No drilling anything that can be seen....

But, I didn't drill at all. Maybe it was just my kit, but it wouldn't fit with the front tow-hooks on. So, I removed the tow hooks, installed the guard, then re-installed the tow-hooks. They overlapped the bracket for the guard about a half-inch. So I bolted em down tight. Now I have LOTS of extra support holding the guard bracket on.


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keith@myf150.com
http://www.myf150.com
Rocky Mount, NC

1999 F-150 XLT Styleside, Black On Black, SuperCab, Short Bed, 4x4, ORP, 4.6L Auto, 3.55LS

Mods: DrawTite Class III Hitch, Smittybilt Outland Grill Guard/Brush Guards, KC Daylighters, Custom Dual Exhaust-Straight Out The Back, Airaid FIPK, SuperChips Chip, Bug Deflector, Pace-Edwards Roll-Top Bed Cover

 

I have the Manik. I love it. It's already saved my @ss once. Would've taken the bumper off on a ditch but the guard just pushed back a little. No damage. The Manik I think fits the design of the truck better then the rest. The verticle pieces go up and then angle off to match the grille of the truck. Paid $430 with tax. Took me 30 mins to install. I had to notch the lower plastic valance though

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98 F150 2WD,Bright Red, Regular Cab, 4.2, 3.55, 5 Speed, Superchip, 2 Superchip Decals (I Think They Add 5 HP Each), 3 Inch Bullseye Lift Spindles, Manik Grill Guard,Nerf Bars, Vent Visors, Fog Lights Mounted In Front Air Dam , Kc Lights, Back Up Lights, Alpine CD Player, 2 Kenwood Amps, 10 Inch MTX Blue Thunder SubWoofer, Tinted Windows. And Coming Soon: 3 Inch Body Lift Kit, 16x8 American Racing Baja Wheels Wrapped With 33's

 

The Smittybilt, Manik, and Go Rhino all look almost identical, so you can't go wrong with any of em...


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keith@myf150.com
http://www.myf150.com
Rocky Mount, NC

1999 F-150 XLT Styleside, Black On Black, SuperCab, Short Bed, 4x4, ORP, 4.6L Auto, 3.55LS

Mods: DrawTite Class III Hitch, Smittybilt Outland Grill Guard/Brush Guards, KC Daylighters, Custom Dual Exhaust-Straight Out The Back, Airaid FIPK, SuperChips Chip, Bug Deflector, Pace-Edwards Roll-Top Bed Cover

 

I had the smittybilt on my older 91 and it's rusting on the top tube now and the right side as well. However I ordered one for the new truck in july and its on backorder from JC Whitney for another week. For 114.00 ya can't go wrong with the smittybilt and they use thick stuff. I like the others as well but I could buy 3 smitty's for the price of one of the others

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99 F150 4X4 Ext Cab Black and Tan Lariat, Every Option except engine block htr
1997 Eddie Bauer Explorer AWD V-8 every option
91 F150 Rare Nite pkg Ext Cab 4X4 Still my favorite sigh..

 

My Smittybilt was about $425. The "Outland" model. See my web page below for pics.


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keith@myf150.com
http://www.myf150.com
Rocky Mount, NC

1999 F-150 XLT Styleside, Black On Black, SuperCab, Short Bed, 4x4, ORP, 4.6L Auto, 3.55LS

Mods: DrawTite Class III Hitch, Smittybilt Outland Grill Guard/Brush Guards, KC Daylighters, Custom Dual Exhaust-Straight Out The Back, Airaid FIPK, SuperChips Chip, Bug Deflector, Pace-Edwards Roll-Top Bed Cover

 

I got the Westin. I'm not sure, but I think it was about $350.
http://www.wrtc.com/oldbook/Truck4.jpg
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1998 F-150 SC 4X4, 5.4, ORP, Red clearcoat, K&N, Chrome push guard, roll bar & tube side steps, Smoke bug guard and tail light covers, Black bed mat & Ford mud flaps.


[This message has been edited by btr (edited 09-03-1999).]

 

It was only $114 91 Nite? Is that for a brush guard or a push bumper?

 

I checked out the pictures.. they all look great but I prefer the look of conqsoft's guard. I like the "screen" over the head lights and the open space infront of the grille. I have the same truck as conqsoft so maybe I'm biased heh but that's the look I'm going for. Except I have to see if I can ditch the lame license plate on the front of the truck.. but I think it's state law - 2 plates here. I like those two lights also conq, did you use that new remote control switch so you don't have wires running into the cab?

 

Nope, I wired em into my existing fog lights, and use that switch...


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keith@myf150.com
http://www.myf150.com
Rocky Mount, NC

1999 F-150 XLT Styleside, Black On Black, SuperCab, Short Bed, 4x4, ORP, 4.6L Auto, 3.55LS

Mods: DrawTite Class III Hitch, Smittybilt Outland Grill Guard/Brush Guards, KC Daylighters, Custom Dual Exhaust-Straight Out The Back, Airaid FIPK, SuperChips Chip, Bug Deflector, Pace-Edwards Roll-Top Bed Cover

 

Here's Mine http://www.mindspring.com/~acbradley/ccla2.gif

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98 F150 2WD,Bright Red, Regular Cab, 4.2, 3.55, 5 Speed, Superchip, 2 Superchip Decals <B>(I Think They Add 5 HP Each)</B>, 3 Inch Bullseye Lift Spindles, Manik Grill Guard,Nerf Bars, Vent Visors, Fog Lights Mounted In Front Air Dam ,2 Kc DayLighters, Back Up Lights, Alpine CD Player, 2 Kenwood Amps, 10 Inch MTX Blue Thunder SubWoofer, Tinted Windows. And Coming Soon: 3 Inch Body Lift Kit, 16x8 American Racing Baja Wheels Wrapped With 33's




[This message has been edited by ccla (edited 09-03-1999).]

 

It was for the grill guard...didn't price the brush guards

 

I was wondering if anyone has the Euroguard from Quadratec - It looks pretty good in their catalog - I think it may be made by Steel Horse. The price is right too. $299.95 + abut $35 S&H where I am. Has anybody ordered from this company or better yet have this brushguard?

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1998 F150 Silver 4WD Styleside V6 Reg Cab 3.55 RE - Extang soft cover, Rhino step bars, K&N filter on the way

 

I am looking for a brush guard for my new truck. I'd like to know if anyone has found a good chrome model that doesn't require drilling. Any suggestions or success stories?

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'99 F150XLT 4X4 ORP, White, 5.4L, 3.73LS, Towing Pkg., 17" Chrome Steel Wheels
Future Mods: Step Bars, K&N Filter, Brush Guard, Window Tint

 

No drilling on the one I've listed above. Just four brackets that use existing nut/bolts to bolt to the truck and four big bolts to bolt to the push guard.

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1998 F-150 SC 4X4, 5.4, ORP, Red clearcoat, K&N, Chrome push guard, roll bar & tube side steps, Smoke bug guard and tail light covers, Black bed mat & Ford mud flaps.
www.wrtc.com/oldbook/Truck5.jpg