Im looking for a brush grill for my black 98 f150 4x4 flairside. I see some of you have the manik which i have looked at but the Rhino 3000 sumartra series looks nice too. Anyone have any opinions or suggestion to help me solve this delema? Why did you pick the one you did?

 

I went with the Manik for a couple of reasons...

First and foremost, it's available in Stainless Steel. (the whole "livin-in-the-salt-belt justification) Second, it doesn't require any modifications of the front end of the truck to mount it. (no cutting anything!) Third, it's got to be tough: It's rated to mount a winch with a 9000 lb line pull. Fourth, it mounts to the frame, DIRECTLY to the frame, and ONLY to the frame.

Here's a couple pix... I hope to have some new ones (and better ones) soon...





and a pic of the mounting brackets...


and from underneath...



Also, it took about an hour for me to install it myself, in the dark. The manik is also available in a three piece setup. (Mine is all one piece)

Hope this helps.

-Joe-


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98 Explorer (Lemon Law Case in Progress)

'00 F-150, X-cab, 4x4, Lariat, Off-road, Trailer Tow, Holandia Sunroof($1000), built 11/99 picked up 10/00!Clear Corners($36), Manik Stainless Steel 1-piece brush guard($700), Custom CB wiring, Uniden PC76-XLW CB radio($100) with K-40 Magna-Mount antenna (for now [$40]), 1 set of 165 watt KC Daylighters (for now... more on the way... $140) Fog Light Switch mod(free!!!), Custom switch mounting plate and overhead console, Bully Stainless Steel Trailer hitch drawbar w/ 2" stainless steel ball($80), Gray Tek Style Soft Tonneau Cover($250), Gray Line-X Bedliner ($450).
List of planned mods: Clear tails, torsion bar tweak, bug deflector, Chrome ORP rims.
93 Probe GT teal, OE rims painted to match, bone stock drivetrain, leaky exhaust.

[This message has been edited by GIJoeCam (edited 05-02-2001).]

 

looks great, but i think i would get mine in black since my truck is black. One question can the fog lights be positioned anywhere or do they have to go in the exact spots you have them in?

 

I went with the Westin sportsman. Looks good, took about 45min to an hour to install. The upper supports are not as solid as I would like but overall I am happy with it. See the link in my sig for pics.

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97 F-150 Flareside
S/C
4x4 5.4L auto 3.55 LS.


Mods so far:
K Air Filter
SUPERCHIP!
Westin Grille Guard
JVC 12 disc CD Changer
2 (for now) 165 watt KC Daylighters
Must...Resit...Mudder...Syndrome.....

Future Plans
Hidden winch
Lift
Roll Bar


http://www.f150world.com/sprhck/

 

I've got a WAAG on my 2001 4x4. Don't buy one. They only thing this grill guard is good for is putting two lights on it.

The mounts are the flimsiest possible. It mounts ONLY through the bumper hole on either side of the license plate by two tubes that eventually attach to the frame. Their are two other very, very thin steel supports that go between the bumper and the grill. All show--no real protection is offered.

I wouldn't even feel comfortable pushing a volkswagon with the WAAG guard. I seriously believe this guard might flap in the wind above 90 mph. It's ultimately held on by a total of 6 very small bolts.

I'm still kicking myself for not spending a little more and getting the Manik.

Anyone wanna trade? hehehe.