HUGE DELEMA!!

FL RENNY · **Joined:** Mon Nov 07, 2005 4:30 pm **Posts:** 458

Ok so I can't decide whether or not I would like the look of a Brush/Grill Guard on my Jeep. So I need all you guys to help chime in and put my mind at ease. I like the Brush Guard that came on the newer model Columbia Editions. That is the one that covers completely the bumber inbetween to two humps that stick out on the front bumper. I also like the grill guard almost exactly like that one that doesn't have the square bars covering the lights. PLEASE HELP!!

And one more thing.....how much do those weigh? I have 265's so i dont want any rubbing..and i love how my KJ sits even.

Thanks everyone for your help, seriously.

shak · **Posted:** Thu Jan 05, 2006 12:38 am

ARB all the way..................
thats my 2 cents

Myke · **Posted:** Thu Jan 05, 2006 12:40 am

shak wrote:

ARB all the way..................
thats my 2 cents

As he said before he doesn't want sag.

You might need to get HD springs up front

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Thu Jan 05, 2006 2:53 am

the mopar guards don't weigh nearly what an ARB weighs (also no where near the quality or protection) so sagging should be an issue. These "guards" are mearly cosmetic and should be treated as such.

dog_party · **Posted:** Thu Jan 05, 2006 11:25 am

I keep going back and forth on the same thing FL RENNY.

If you have the money and want off-road, rock-crawling quality, definitely ARB. If you have a little less money, the Mopar, Manik and Smittybilt all make grill "guards" for the Liberty. But, only the ARB is going to take any kind of impact. The other three will fold back onto your front/hood with any kind of impact (espcially anything hitting up high). Look for the ARB to deflect/slide-on rocks, look for the other three to deflect smaller things away from your front-end paint...like small branches and grasses...maybe a soft cactus...stray palm tree fronds...a floating plastic baggie...dust.

I'm not saying that the non-ARB options are worthless. I'm considering the single-tube Mopar (cheapest option I can find) just so I'll have a front tie point for my kayaks and canoe...until I can afford an ARB. But keep in mind that the three non-ARBs are mainly stylistic additions, not off-roading performance additions. And considering the cost...the Manik and Smitty "guards" are over $500!...You're probably better off saving a couple hundred more for the ARB...even if it's just for style!

FL RENNY · **Joined:** Mon Nov 07, 2005 4:30 pm **Posts:** 458

http://www.autotrucktoys.com/liberty/im ... ksteel.jpg[img]

or the same one but with the bar over the lights?? Anyone??

My goal is looks more or less. I dont do enough offroading to need the ARB

FL RENNY · **Joined:** Mon Nov 07, 2005 4:30 pm **Posts:** 458

http://www.autotrucktoys.com/liberty/OE ... 1C526.aspx

this is the one sorry

dog_party · **Posted:** Thu Jan 05, 2006 4:43 pm

That's a cool pushbar FL RENNY. If you like it, and you have the money, get it! The black's gonna look great on your silver truck too!. My vote: Get the brush guard (goes around headlights) if you've ever planning to get blackmetal taillight guards. If you're going to leave the taillights uncovered, get the pushbar (doesn't go around headlights) that you linked to.

FL RENNY · **Joined:** Mon Nov 07, 2005 4:30 pm **Posts:** 458

Thanks for the comments DOG_PARTY....i allready have the black tail light guards on now. LOL they are plastic but are for look anyway lol. I'm wondering who's gonna chime in with the weight and info on tthat pushbar i like. lol to put my mind at ease. I always stress if I'm going to like something before i put in on my Jeep..........then after i buy it and put in on, the next day all i can do is think.. WHAT NEXT?!!? WHAT NEXT?!?!?

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 06, 2006 1:13 am

One u r considering:

I have this one:

I can't tell u the weight because it's mounted but I know it is not that heavy since most of "the look" is actually covers over the inner supports. Do be aware, however, that u will lose ure front hooks. I wish I had known that before I got it. So u gotta decide if losing the tow points is worth the sacrifice for the cosmetic look. The "pewter" color is the cheapest at around $350 and IMO the nicest looking one. One thing I notice on mine is that when the sun is at the right angle it sometimes bounces of the chrome and can be a real pain.

Here are some pics of the inside of the thing with the covers removed. You can see that it is really not heavy duty:
http://www.thefergusons.us/kj/kj.htm

Liberator · **Joined:** Sun Jul 24, 2005 3:42 am **Posts:** 397

I have the same one as cacher but never installed it... it weighs 20lbs or less mostly hollow light wt tubing and bracket with plastic accents... purely cosmetic.

edit: I am likely going to install an ARB

FL RENNY · **Joined:** Mon Nov 07, 2005 4:30 pm **Posts:** 458

thanks for the great info. I'm glad that it is light weight. But I dont think i can deal with loosing my tow hooks? I would have thought that b/c it is made for a jeep....the designer would have thought about that problem? I mean, it's a Jeep...COME ON

dog_party · **Posted:** Fri Jan 06, 2006 10:50 am

Sorry man. All the brushguards I've seen mount to the tow-hook attach points. That's the strongest point on the things. If they didn't mount 'em there, they'd bend when you sneezed on 'em and just flap in the breeze like a flag at interstate speed.

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Fri Jan 06, 2006 7:29 pm

once again it all comes down to personal preference do you want a trail boss or a mall boss?

benmar2000 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 06, 2006 8:26 pm

My wife and I like the looks of the pushbar from Mopar, but when I found out I would loose my front tow hooks.. I said forget it.. That is why I am going to wait and save the bucks for the ARB... It protects.. It has recovery points in the front and we can mount a winch.. But that is our preference..

Ben

JeepJunky33 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 07, 2006 10:38 pm

Check out my jeep on car domain. It is on my link at the bottom. I have a Westin Brush Gaurd and I absolutly LOVE IT!!!!.......I know it does not have much offroad use comp. to an ARB But I just love mine. Check it out and tell me what you think

dog_party · **Posted:** Sun Jan 08, 2006 12:38 am

Nice shots JeepJunky33! Thanks! I think the all-black Westin guard is the best looking of the brush/bumper guards. And those are some great shots of some fun-looking trails!

FL RENNY - If you want a guard that goes around the headlights...that (the Westin) is the best-loooking option. I think the solid black will look as good on your silver Renny as it does on JeepJunky33's Light Khaki.

JeepJunky33 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 08, 2006 1:53 am

Thanks so much....It was actually the first mod taht I did. But it's a Cactus Green. I love my girl

FL RENNY · **Joined:** Mon Nov 07, 2005 4:30 pm **Posts:** 458

Yes that is true. That brush guard looks great!! I just cant deal with not having tow hooks. I'm not willing to sacrafice......i wish someone would make a guard like the mopar, but with tow hooks, they'd be getting my money thats for sure.

HUGE DELEMA!!

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