Are bug deflector/shields mostly an appearance item or are they functional? I've heard people say they also prevent stones from hitting the hood and windshield, but this doesn't seem to be foolproof, as the individual also told me he's replaced the windshield three times (even with the deflector in place). I'm not all that crazy about adding this as a modification, but if it is effective is protecting the hood/windshield I might go for it.


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dennis

 

I have the ford bug deal and it works well to keep bugs from hitting the tront of the hood (and causing chips) but it deflects the bugs right onto my windshield in my field of view and that pisses me off. Works really good when it is snowing, the snow just floats right on past the windshield instead of sticking to it. If I had it to do over again I would buy a different one that was higher swept to get the bugs over the cab. Oh and you can paint the deflectors to match your truck, that looks sharp. If you decide to paint it get a clear one and have them paint the back of it so that you don't get any chips out of the paint (when you buy a smoked deflector they have to paint both sides to make you and the oncoming traffic see it and if you get a stone or something it chips the outside paint and that can look crappy).

Jimmar

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2001.5 SuperCrew XLT 4X4 (Gen III)
Silver Clearcoat Metallic
Deep Wedgewood Blue (accent)
5.4L V8
Chrome Tubular Step Bars (Ford)
Captains Chairs
Power Moonroof
3.55 LS
6750 GVWR
Class III Towing Pkg

Mods:
Harley Davidson Exhaust
'01 Lightning Head/Tail Lamps
Pioneer DEH-9200r
Boston Acoustic Components & 5X7s
Box Liner (Ford)
Splashguards (Ford)
Bug Defector Doubles as Rock and Sand/Salt Deflector in these snowy Canadian winters
K&N Air Filter

To Come:
17" Rims/Tires w/ BFG A/T or ProComps
WMS Velocity Tube
Radio Delay Mod
Eurolights

 

i think most people put them on for looks, even though they can serve a purpose, to keep pebbles and bugs from hitting front of hood. i have had my 99XLT 4*4 for 21/2 years and never installed one. looks like new still! of coarse a little help from waxing and keeping the hood clean.

 

I'm completely oblivious to the durn thing. They sure don't do much to deflect bugs. Pebbles, neither. They do keep the lip of your truck free of chips, and that's where I traditionally seem to get them. I've lived with mine about 8 months now, and I'm thinking of removing it. It totally ruins the smooth lines of that bee-you-tee-full front end, don't you think?

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01 Black SuperCrew; Airaid, Borla split rears, Line-X, Matched Tint windows. Black. Black. All Black.
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Blaupunkt "Munchen" HU; JL Audio Stealthbox, DiamondAudio components, RF and Kicker amps

 

Do they work? yes. some models work better than others at deflecting the airflow, and therefore, the bugs. Most hold up quite well to stone chips. If you get a clear one painted to match, be careful... I've seen plenty of Magnums (by Deflect-a-shield I think?) in the parking lot here that have begun to yellow. (looks really bad on a white truck) Personally, I'm going to get the Lund stainless steel interceptor... I saw one a couple of weeks ago on a black truck and it looked awesome! Plus, no yellowing... maybe some stone dings, but better the deflector than the hood... that's what it's there for.

-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.

 

I personally have always used them. I like the looks of them and with my luck I am always getting some kinda new paint chip. Mine has saved me countless times. I have only ever had one to break on me and that was because a grapvine hanging over the road hit it at 50 mph ( at least it saved my hood front a dent). I like the Ventshade Bugflector 2 series, just seems to wrap around the cornors the best.

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97 Ford F150 XLT 4wd 4.6L auto, Std cab/Long bed, PW,PL, and PM, captian chairs w/arm rests
Sylvania Cool Blue Bulbs, Ford logo hitch and license plate, tinted windows, blackouts front and rear(w/ford logos on front blackouts),ventvisors all around, painted logos on door sills and under hood, 55w backup lights, K&N Filter, custom 4x4 emblems,and much more to come


thomaswright5714@hotmail.com

 

I have the Ventshade Bugflector 2, but I also have the Lund Solar Visor on my truck, and this is not a good combination, but the bugshield does seem to get most of them to the top of the windshield, anyway. I bet that if I didn't have the visor that it would work great, but it doesn't make a good combination. It looks better with it than without it, I think, but that's all personal preference, I guess. It works fairly well, so it's worth it if you like the way it looks. It seems to do pretty good at keeping the small stones off of my hood, though.

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1997 F150 Lariat Three Door Extended Cab Flareside 4x4, Two tone Pacific Green w/ Harvest Gold, Tan Leather Interior, Ford Premium Sound w/ CD Changer, Lund Solar Visor, Leather Tonneau Bedcover, K&N Air Filter, VentVisors
Wish List: Lund Racer Back Cab Spolier, Lund Shadow Winshield Wiper Cover, Lund Steps, RhinoLiner Spray-In Bedliner, Vortech Super Charger, Brush Guard, Hidden Winch, Lighted Ford Logo, I'll list more when I think of it...