Hunter Brush Guard Install/Review w/ pics

Jelorian · #1 (**permalink**) 10-13-2006, 01:46 AM

I ordered this brush guard online from ebay. Its made by Hunter and it cost $239 shipped to my door. According to their ad in the auction this unit comes with a lifetime warranty, however the paperwork that came with the unit says 5 years. Other brands were going for $350-$600+! To me this is the best bang for the buck brush guard out there.

I got the black powercoated version as the theme for this truck will be black on blue as I didn't want any chrome bling bling. Not to put chrome or polished stainless steel down, as I like that look as well, its just for this particular truck I wanted it a bit toned down.

I got it less than a week after I won the auction on ebay via Buy it Now.

Fit and finish was what I expected for something that is that cheap. The welds on the brackets could have been better, but the pipes seem welded fairly well as far as I could tell after the powder coating.

It was fairly simple and straight forward to install. The included instructions were pretty lacking but you can pretty much figure it out on your own.

There were a few changes that I made which were contrary to what the instructions show. The lower brackets were bolted to the inside of the main brush guard as opposed to the outside like shown in the instructions. From the side, it looked much more clean. The 2 long upper bracket pieces were flipped over and moved to opposite sides in order to line up the mounting holes on the main brush guard.

You lose the use of both tow loops and the tow loop with this install, although I did "use" them as they now serve as spacers for the lower brackets. The tow hook had to be flipped facing rearward to clear the horizontal bracing on the lower bracket.

At a later point, I'm going to flip the tow loops over and will cut out a small part of both sides of the skid plate so that I at least have something to hook into if I needed a pull from the front.

During assembly, everything was bolted together loosely so that I would be able to square everything up after its all put together.

The middle cross member on the main guard assembly is pre-drilled with 1/2" holes to accomodate auxiliary driving or fog lights. I'm going to try and drill 2 more holes and squeeze 4 lights in there at a later point if they all fit. Probably some Hella Black Magic's paired up with some fog lamps.

On the first drive with them on, I noticed that there is some lateral movement when I hit the bigger bumps. I don't know if this is common with all brush guards or with some. I think the upper brackets either need to be reinforced or replaced all together with stronger pieces.

At this point and time I give this product 4 out of 5 stars. If not for the 3 issues I had. Weak upper brackets, inadequate install instructions, and the loss of your tow hooks (not stated on website or ebay auction ad), I would have given it 5 stars.

However, we'll see how it holds up to the test of time.

The pics of the install are in my gallery.

wiseguy · #2 (**permalink**) 10-13-2006, 08:05 AM

Sounds like the same outfit I bought my push bar from. Just installed it this week and noticed many of the same issues you did. However, for the price I think it is a winner. The outfit was out of Houston and has a bunch of "buy it now's" on ebay. Anyone thinking of nerf bars, grill guards, etc. should check them out.

Jelorian · #3 (**permalink**) 10-13-2006, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiseguy

Sounds like the same outfit I bought my push bar from. Just installed it this week and noticed many of the same issues you did. However, for the price I think it is a winner. The outfit was out of Houston and has a bunch of "buy it now's" on ebay. Anyone thinking of nerf bars, grill guards, etc. should check them out.

Yeah, sounds familiar. I think they are the same guys. The seller is PopularLink, out of Texas, and yes I did a "buy it now". They do have some really good prices on nerf bars as well.

We'll just have to see how their stuff lasts over time.

MATRDguy · #4 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 05:41 AM

I got the same one in blk off e bay. I wasnt thrilled w/ their instructions either and i agree the main support should be reenforced some more. I to get some lateral shaking but over all i would give it a 3 also. good bang for the buck.

another issue i had was it seemed to stand off the truck more than i thought. i might try to drill the main supports out a little and slide it back tword the hood more.

but i am happy w/ the look

chilehead · #5 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 01:53 PM

I was going to buy from them for Nerf bars and then got caught up in the fact that their brackets were powdercoated (as is everyones except Nasta) and decided to go with the Nasta's. I did this after the fact and they refunded my money quickly.... if salt (from coastal living or roads) isn't an issue with someone, I'd go with their Nerf bars and save the extra $50

JoeRobbins · #6 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 03:27 PM

Jelorian,

Please let us know if you notice a decrease in gas mileage after the install. I saw one post here where a drop was reported after a bumper guard was installed. I know our Tundras have some well rounded corners up front for aerodynamics.

I was looking at either the Hunter bull/push bar or the grill guard. I purchased the side steps when I first got my truck and they seem ok. Actually not bad for $199.

Thanks,

Joe

Jelorian · #7 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeRobbins

Jelorian,

Please let us know if you notice a decrease in gas mileage after the install. I saw one post here where a drop was reported after a bumper guard was installed. I know our Tundras have some well rounded corners up front for aerodynamics.

I was looking at either the Hunter bull/push bar or the grill guard. I purchased the side steps when I first got my truck and they seem ok. Actually not bad for $199.

Thanks,

Joe

I didn't really notice anything decrease in gas mileage after putting the brush guard on. Maybe the very slight gain in gas mileage from the Magnaflow I just put on evens out/cancels the slight loss in gas mileage from the brush guard.

I'm still happy with the look. I recently painted the bolt heads and washers on the outsides with some semi-gloss black enamel and it came out pretty good. I'm going to paint the inside bolts and nuts as well.

audrewsky · #8 (**permalink**) 01-25-2007, 01:11 PM

Hello, I'm currently trying to install the same brush guard from ebay. Where the heck do you put those upper support brackets...the ones that the directions say should be mounted near the headlights? Any pictures available? Please advise, thanks.

LifeTech · #9 (**permalink**) 01-26-2007, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jelorian

I didn't really notice anything decrease in gas mileage after putting the brush guard on. Maybe the very slight gain in gas mileage from the Magnaflow I just put on evens out/cancels the slight loss in gas mileage from the brush guard.

I'm still happy with the look. I recently painted the bolt heads and washers on the outsides with some semi-gloss black enamel and it came out pretty good. I'm going to paint the inside bolts and nuts as well.

After I installed my Westin Stainless Steel Chrome Plated Light bar, I noticed a higher Drag Coeficient increase over stock.( +0.0001576)

My Wind Tunnel Testing benchmarks calculated a decrease in MPG of
-0.00006921.
(+/- 1.058% for marginal error and environmental inconsistencies such as ambient temps, humidity, barometric pressure and human factors; i.e. 13 bottles of Heinekens.)

What a bummer. Now I have to pay 6 cents more per month in Fuel costs.
Therefore, I will Rate my Westin Light Bar a 5/16th of One STAR .

Hope this helps others that are concerned with MPG on their Pickups!

Nice Brush Guard yu got,at a great price too!

But If it's not Stainless it will always Rust eventually... Non-Stainless Tubular Steel will at least rust from the inside out for sure.

There Is NO Mfr. that will Lifetime Guaranty the finish for Rusting, UNLESS it is Stainless Steel Stock. This is my guaranty

If yu want to keep the theme Black of course. I would have Professionally spray painted the Brush Guard using Imron Commerial/Industrial Grade Black Paint.( Or any color to even match or contrast the Body's O/E color!)

Single Stage Imron Paint baked @ 165 degrees for 45 minutes is hard as nails and will take the abuse of road rash/stone chips and will not rust for the life of your Truck. The paint of choice used on Big $$$ Tractor Rigs. (Freightliners, Macks etc.)

LT

Texas_Ace · #10 (**permalink**) 05-28-2007, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jelorian

The pics of the install are in my gallery.

Where the heck is the gallary??????????????????????????????????

I need to see some pics as i have the same guard but can't figure out how to mount it! Thanks!

Jelorian · #11 (**permalink**) 05-31-2007, 06:43 PM

Sorry, I haven't been on here for awhile. There used to be a gallery option, but things must have changed.

I can try and see if I can find an image host somewhere and post the pics.

My Hunter Brush Guard is gone now.

I was driving down the freeway and something either fell or was thrown from an overpass and it hit the top bar of my guard before smashing into the hood. If I was there a split second later it would have surely went through the windshield and hit my 5 year old daughter who was sitting in the middle of the back seat. There was no one in front of me and the next exit was too far for me to backtrack.

Insurance replaced the guard with some other brand that doesn't look as good. I'll take some pics and post those as well. The whole hood was replaced as well as a new sheet of Ventureshield Clear Bra was put on.

In anycase, I will try to get the pics of the install up soon. I had to get creative with the tow hooks and tow loops to use them as spacers to get the brackets on.

There is still lateral movement with the new brush guard so I'm thinking that it may be the case no matter what the brand.

Texas_Ace · #12 (**permalink**) 05-31-2007, 09:35 PM

Well after e-mailing an admin i found the gallary is now that little camera icon by your name. Those pics helped a lot!

EDIT: Well now i can't find it! it dissappeard!

And i have to say i am very happy with how the grill looks.

I am also glad to hear that you were protected from that object! that would have been horrible!

Jelorian · #13 (**permalink**) 06-01-2007, 01:53 AM

Here are the pics. These are hosted on photobucket.com.

For some reason the camera doesn't show up for me, but in anycase here they are.

bn12151 · #14 (**permalink**) 06-16-2007, 09:33 PM

Nice Pic's Dude!

dwl533 · #15 (**permalink**) 07-27-2007, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MATRDguy

I got the same one in blk off e bay. I wasnt thrilled w/ their instructions either and i agree the main support should be reenforced some more. I to get some lateral shaking but over all i would give it a 3 also. good bang for the buck.

You guy grapping it too fast. I went to the seller's store in ebay, they are out of stock already.