OK, so I went to Spilar Custom Hitches today to see about a new bumper type thing for my truck since I took off my lower valence. They want $400 + $40 for installed ranchhand grill guard and about the same thing for a Manik grill gaurd. I think that's a bit much.

So I went to the custom fab in the back. They want $400-600 for a custom pre-runner style bumper. I think I will definately go with the custom if anything. But, don't you guys think this is way hella expensive? I was hoping for around $300 for a grill gaurd and about $400 tops for a custom. Am I just too old for the times or have these things gotten way too popular?

What do you think? What did some of you pay for the various grill gaurds? How happy have you been with them? I'm really wanting a frame mounted one for better strength off-road and incase I get into an accident...hope I won't but...knock on wood...Form is important but I do want function as well. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks.

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2000 Silver F-150 XL Sport
Reg. Cab, Reg. Bed, 4.2L V6, 5-speed, 4x2

mods:
Tailgate lock, Generic bedliner
285/75r16 BFG AT ko (32.9x11.4)
Sony CD player, Blaunpunkt 5.25" speakers
McGuard Wheel locks
---------------------
Never let your schooling interfere with your education --Mark Twain

 

Got mine for $275. Very strong. It is made by Magnum Custom Trailers.

 

r0land
I think you just found a good deal myself. I have been looking at grill guards for 6 months now. I personally want one in stainless steel if possible or in chrome. Manik is about 970 if ou get SS (not sure on black) Westin is about 850, Smittybilt outlander is 705 in SS and 437 in black, Go Rhino is about 450 in black. I have chose to go with the Westin just because I work at a parts store and get 40% off one time a year in June. So that will make that 850 guard about 500, which is cheap for SS.


------------------
97 Ford F150 XLT 4x4 4.6L auto, Std cab/Long bed, 3.55LS rear axle, 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, cup holder/LED mod, 99 F150 Triton V8 emblems, and much more to come

 

swamp rat, That looks good. Is is frame mounted or bumper mounted? I don't think I'm gonna make the trip to 620 to check it out for myself, I'm in south austin. BTW, where are those pics off? That place looks like a lot of fun.

KYFordFreak, you gotta be *****ing me! I'm not ever gonna pay that much for an appearence product. I can get a spindle lift for $550, I'm not paying near that much for a bumper part. I know chrome/SS is more expensive, but those prices are just outrageous, you might as well give them a couple of fingers and toes while your at it. I don't want chrome or anything fancy. I want more function than form out of something that expensive.

I guess I'm gonna keep searching, and give Magnum a call...

------------------
2000 Silver F-150 XL Sport
Reg. Cab, Reg. Bed, 4.2L V6, 5-speed, 4x2

mods:
Tailgate lock, Generic bedliner
285/75r16 BFG AT ko (32.9x11.4)
Sony CD player, Blaunpunkt 5.25" speakers
McGuard Wheel locks
---------------------
Never let your schooling interfere with your education --Mark Twain

 

r0land
I agree the prices on those are just way to high for a "appearance product". The reason all my numbers are high are because of the SS finish and I have only been looking at the ones that have the little bars in front of the headlights. I hope you have good luck in finding one that you like for the right price. If you do, let me know I might consider it, even if it is black.

 

r0land,

check out these sites. Shipping is very reasonable for a grill from fron truckaddons.com. It was like 16 bucks for me.

http://www.truckaddons.com/home.htm
http://www.ustruckaccessorieswhse.com/

The prices a little less that your were seeing. The Maik is the nicest because it is only one piece. Most of the rest are bolt togethers. They are very easy to install. You need two people. I just helped a bud install on the other day.

Also, check out Manik.com's online store. You can buy them factory refurbed or seconds and all they really need is new powder coating.

------------------
bIGGINS
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

My New Ride->>
2001 F-150XLT 4X4 Sport SuperCab
Styleside, Short Bed, Black on Black, 4R70W, 5.4L, 3.55reg, 17in Rubber, OEM Snapless Tonneau Cover, Harley Bedliner
Add On's
Sony CDX-M770 Head Unit, (2) JLAudio 8W6's, RF Punch 150 amp, HL Blackouts, DashMiser Plus II Strobe Light (fireman)
My Last Ride->>
1999 F-150XLT 4X4 Reg Cab
Styleside, Long Bed, Amazon Green, 4R70W, 4.2L V6, 3.55reg, 16in Bridgestone Duelers, OEM Snapless Tonneau Cover

 

The guard is frame mounted...mounts to tow hook spots and part of the bumper bracket. You get to keep the tow hooks, though. If your truck didn't come with hooks, you might have to drill holes in the frame...I'd check under your truck before you buy. The pictures were taken in Alexandria, Louisiana... the place was a lot of fun, but it is a bit of a drive. You can email me if you have any questions about the guard.

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<A HREF="http://www.my-f150.com/swamprat/red14a.JPG" TARGET=_blank> </A> <A HREF="http://www.my-f150.com/swamprat/red1a.JPG" TARGET=_blank> </A> <A HREF="http://www.my-f150.com/swamprat/red16a.JPG" TARGET=_blank> </A>

1998 F-150 XLT 4x4 Off-Road | Red Supercab | Automatic 4.6
3.55 limited slip | 12-disk cd changer | limo tint
Magnum Custom wrap-around grill guard | Offroad lights
Blazer back-up lights | Full-length nerf steps with custom brackets
275/70/17 Bridgestone Dueler ATs

Find out more about my truck here:
<A HREF="http://www.escalix.com/freepage/merlin2/truckpag.htm" TARGET=_blank> </A>
Or email me at melvin02@netzero.net

 

I got my grille guard for $370 from pep boys. I installed it myself, only took about 45 minutes.

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

Mods so far:
K&N Air Filter
SUPERCHIP!
Westin Grille Guard
JVC 12 disc CD Changer
4 (and growing) 165 watt KC Daylighters
This KC thing is getting expensive


Future Plans
Hidden winch
Lift
Roll Bar

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

 

Manik "black" 1pc, on mine. No problems with it at all. $350-$400...not exatly sure.

Check this thread before buying anything. You will get what you pay for, but not this guy...

https://www.f150online.com/f150board...ML/001658.html

Good luck!

 

I'll sell you my GSP black Safari guard. $200 plus shipping from 33774 zip code.

E-mail me if interested Lariat4wd@yahoo.com

Here's a couple pictures of it:

(This picture is actually of Jupiterak's guard, but I have the exact same one he did. He just had a good picture of it.

Here's mine:




For more pics, Click Here


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--Lariat4WD--

2000 Ford F-150 Extended Cab Flareside 4x4 Lariat
5.4L;auto;3.55LS;Black/Charcoal;ORP;remote keyless;floor-shift 4wd;Class III;AM/FM/SingleCD
Mods so far:
Lund X-Terminator bug shield; Vent Shade Vent Visors; Westin Black step bars; Pendaliner bedliner; GSP black Safari Grille Guard; Clear corner lenses; under hitch backup lights; 2 KC Hilites Daylighter 6" 150W black round; Cranked torsion bars; 2 Polk Audio EX10 10" subs under rear seat; Sony XM754HX amp; Viper 300ESP alarm; NR Auto white/black gauges; changed silver 2-tone to dark charcoal, warranty paint work on bed sides and roof; removed all Lariat striping...for now. Body shop reapplying new ORP decals; 2001 Lightning tail lights; Husky catch-all liners; Custom 5.4L badges; Flowmaster 40 Delta Series SI/DO exhaust w/ dual 18" chrome angle cut tips out back
Pending
99 Z-28 chrome tips
Warranty Paint Work Pending
Hood being repainted due to acid rain damage
Wish list:
More lights; 2001 Lightning head lights & corners; Optima red top battery; Remote start & Prox. sensor; Custom center console housing 6.8" LCD and TV tuner & PS2; VCP; GPS; BedRug & Roll bar; Aluminum dash kit

<A HREF="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1288981&a=10889838&p=46014765&Sequence=0&re s=high" TARGET=_blank> </A> <A HREF="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1288981&a=10889838&p=46014772&Sequence=0&re s=high" TARGET=_blank> </A>
<A HREF="http://www.bmgsite.com" TARGET=_blank> </A>

2000 VW Cabrio GL (Wife's)
2.0L, auto, pw, pdl, pm, tilt, cruise
Green ext, black cloth int
Am/Fm/Cass w/ CD cgr
Subs & Amp pending.

<A HREF="http://www.autoleaseauthority.com" TARGET=_blank> </A>

[This message has been edited by lariat4wd (edited 05-31-2001).]

 

r0land-- saw some ads in the Austin paper for used grill guards... manik for $250, and a ranch hand for cheaper.... might want to check them out.

 

Hey Lariat, why are you selling your brushguard? I think it looks great on your truck. Just curious

 

Well, I went and did something stupid this weekend. I ran into a rock while crossing a river and my airbags went off. I don't think I'll be able to afford a grill guard now. Thanks for all the help though!

------------------
2000 Silver F-150 XL Sport
Reg. Cab, Reg. Bed, 4.2L V6, 5-speed, 4x2

mods:
Tailgate lock, Generic bedliner
285/75r16 BFG AT ko (32.9x11.4)
Sony CD player, Blaunpunkt 5.25" speakers
McGuard Wheel locks
---------------------
Never let your schooling interfere with your education --Mark Twain

 

How big of a rock? Sorry to hear that... Hope your truck gets better real soon.

 

well, the rock was part of the river bottom, mostly granite but also some sand, that's where I got stuck, so I'd imagine it was pretty big rock. I hope I get it fixed soon too...shouldn't be more than 2 weeks from today...hopefully...knock on wood...But I'm waiting untill I move to take it in, so I acctually shouldn't be without it for more than a week to a week and a half or so...

------------------
2000 Silver F-150 XL Sport
Reg. Cab, Reg. Bed, 4.2L V6, 5-speed, 4x2

mods:
Tailgate lock, Generic bedliner
285/75r16 BFG AT ko (32.9x11.4)
Sony CD player, Blaunpunkt 5.25" speakers
McGuard Wheel locks
---------------------
Never let your schooling interfere with your education --Mark Twain