On my last trip to Baja I ran into some deep moon dust. The truck plowed through it easily, but I slipped into deep ruts and gave the front end a whack on some hidden harder ground. It was nothing serious, but that deep down south I want a little more insurance than the plastic lower bumper.

So... I just picked up this new OEM steering guard on Ebay. Costs over $600, paid $225. Whoot!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...id=p2759.l1259

Some pics from an install I found on the web (site is very slow):
http://rvm.tcomeng.com/yappa-ng/inde...Steering_Guard

Hopefully the guy will ship it and I'll be installing next week. Also, I'm thinking of drilling 1 inch holes in it to lighten it up and improve air flow. Good idea? Bad Idea?

Anyone have a Steering Guard? If so, what brand? How was the install?

 

Have you upgraded your drag link, panhard rod, or track rod yet? I'd do those before getting the steering guard. But that is a great price for the genuine LR part.

 

Always a good idea to have a steering guard as its one of LR's weak spots.

 

Thanks for the advice, but those upgrades aren't really on my radar right now. I'm looking to get from point A to point B, 1200 miles roundtrip, with 360 miles being desert roads consisting of washboards, salt flats, and the occasional detour around washouts. No crazy offroad involved.

I am intrigued by some of the off road trails around here, Miller Jeep Trail, anzo borego, etc. but I'm trying not to get involved... it looks expensive.


Landzu: that's what I'd read. Smacking the front end a bit made me nervous enough to pounce on this.

Anyone know why I shouldn't drill some holes in the plate? This is what I'm thinking:
http://www.forgetec4x4.co.uk/

 

I dont think you'll need the extra airflow, and I dont think you'll save more than a pound.

 

A steering guard is THE most important thing imo to add to ANY land rover before you go offroad.

For me personally, I would not drill any holes init as it then becomes a "shovel" and it scoops crap and mud up into the chassis area, if you leave it solid it just skids across the top.

I have a "holed" one on my D1, and it scoops loads up, My D2 has a mantec fitted which is a solidAliplate and MUCH better imo.

 

That settles it, leaving it solid. Thanks!