I'm guessing you can have one fabbed at a local off-road shop for a lot less than an ARB. Most of the name-brand bumpers I was looking at were $1000-$2000, so I built one for about $400 including steel and powdercoating.

I would trust them for grass and maybe shopping carts, not brush. The sagebrush and chokecherry around here can really do some damage. I don't plan on hitting anything either, but in my area we have mule deer, elk, moose, cattle, sheep, bison, and stupid drivers, any of which can move unpredictably and it's not always feasible to stop.

If you're comfortable with a "brush guard" as they are called, no worries. I'd rather have nothing because at least it wouldn't spread the damage to the entire front end if I did meet a moving target...

If you just need a place to mount lights, you could strip the front end to the bare metal bumper, it has holes in it that are convenient for mounting things. That's how I used to mount my dune flag before I built my current bumper.

 

There have actually been some DI that were damaged so badly due to the Brush Guards that the insurance company totalled the vehicle because the repair costs exceed the value of the vehicle.

If it takes a LR Brush Guard to make you "LOOK COOL" you need a real identity. Oh maybe that was harsh, not everyone is born with rugged good looks. I guess you do what you feel you need to. Cool just comes naturally to me.

 

Truth.

 

Hey now,,, that thing makes my truck look damn sexy... If I hit a deer the truck is totaled anyways... just saying... I agree when I have the time/money to build or purchase my own custom bumper I will do this... but for now 60 dollars for brush resistant (since you guys obviously dont think it will guard anything) works for me.. dont judge lol

 

They do look nice, even if they are only good for light brush.

 

This only existed in your head until you put it in writing for everyone to read. I don't care what anyone thinks about me or the way my truck looks. Yes, that includes you pretty boy.

I like the way it looks and that's the end of it. I'm not putting a 200lb piece of metal on MY truck to satisfy YOUR paranoia that someday, maybe I'll hit something. Sure as hell not doing it just because thats your taste. Just saying.

 

Fail.

 

How much "brush" do you really plan on encountering? And where exactly might you encounter this massive amount of brush if you arent taking it off road?

I run a RockStar Fab front bumper with no pre-runner or brush bar


I wheel in the Northwoods of Wisconsin and in the summer the trails are overgrown and in the winter the branches are weighe down with snow. I usually break trail and have never had a problem with any front end damage from brush.


If you want a place to mount lights just drill the front bumper. You don't even need to remove the plastic plinth. A set of Hella 500's should fit perfectly. You won't need anything larger to see around the mall parking lot anyways.


Save up your money and be on the lookout for a good used aftermarket bumper. I got my HiCountry for about $625 with a working winch and a set of IPF 900 lights.


My friend picked up this Jeep bumper for abut $300, modified the mount just a bit and slapped it on his Disco.


If you really want a brush bar then get one. Just don't fool yourself into thinking it will hold up to anything more than a strong wind. Especially since even the newest used brush bar is most likely 13 years old.

 

is it a full moon or something.... forums getting hot today.. to each his own I say. 98D1Chap do you know how much modification was needed to make that jeep bumper fit?

 

I had the Load Bank hooked up to the GPU and set at 75kw with the cooling fans pointing into the shop. Got hot real quick. Maybe some of the others are feeling that heat....but here in Alaska, I do my part to speed up global warming.