Grille Guard Question

Bayou Thunder · #1 (**permalink**) 02-03-2003, 12:20 AM

I have a question for the guys out there with wraparound grille guards. Does anybody have one on an Ivan Stewart Bumper? I am curious to know if one will fit with the bumper cover on. I am wanting a black one myself but don't know if it will fit with the IS bumper cover installed. If anybody can try it out or knows if it will or not let me know. Hovisimo, I know you had one. Did it fit once you installed your kit?

Clay

ricqik · #2 (**permalink**) 02-03-2003, 09:47 AM

When I installed my IS bumper I tried to fit my manik brushguard on. It does fit WITH some a minor problem. The upper support brace bracket that comes through the bumper opening does make contact with the IS bumper flap that fold into the opening. The rest of the brushguard frame comes to within 1/4"-1/2" of the IS bumper. I decided not to put my brushguard back on because of the contact on the IS bumper opening. Unless you don't mind that, it will fit. I don't know about other brands but the manik is what I'm describing.

T'sTOY · #3 (**permalink**) 02-03-2003, 10:12 AM

ricqik,

I also have the Manik grille guard and I'm hoping I'll be able to get it to work. As I remember the upper bracket, it's a fairly basic piece with just a couple of bends. Did you look at trying to either bend it a bit more or otherwise modify the bracket to get it to work without rubbing?

Just curious,

T

Bayou Thunder · #4 (**permalink**) 02-03-2003, 01:19 PM

Well if the grille guards do fit does anybody have a black one they want to sell at a good price?

Clay

ricqik · #5 (**permalink**) 02-03-2003, 01:51 PM

T'sToy,
If the bracket was sitting horizontal I would be able to bend it but it sits vertically which is impossible to bend, I think. Bending it might weaken its strength.

Shrevenporttunda,
My manik is black with a tiny chip on the lowest cossbar. I think I sent you a email awhile back when the IS kit was starting its blowout sale about the manik brushguard. It's still forsale. Let me find out the shipping cost. I still have the original box, it's huge, about 6'x2'x3'.

T'sTOY · #6 (**permalink**) 02-10-2003, 01:26 PM

Ricqik,
I only glanced at my grille guard this weekend, but the upper bracket (the one going through the bumper to the frame cross member) sits horizontally, at least on the end attached to the main vertical brace on the guard.

In addition, the way mine is currently mounted, it has about 1/8" clearance with the bumper. I'm thinking I could either (1) add washers behind the bracket end attached to the frame to push it forward 1/4"-3/8" to fit over the cover, or (2) cut and weld the upper bracket to make it longer and clear the cover. I know it was a rela paint to mount the upper bracket, so the washer idea may not be feasible, but I'm thinkig there should be a fairly simple solution.

Ryan,
I have a Manik, so I doubt the mounting brackets and locations are exactly the same, but have you at least considered making the bracket(s) longer some way?

Just a thought, but I would think that would be easier than having to drill new holes in the frame.

T

T'sTOY · #7 (**permalink**) 02-10-2003, 03:25 PM

Ryan,

Just think of it as extra sheer strength for the next deer you encounter ('er miss I mean!).

By the way, I located the instructions for my Manik grille guard, and the upper bracket is an "L" design with an offset. It's vertical off the cross member and then horizontal out to the grille guard. Adding fender washers behind the bracket and in front of the cross member should do the trick. Lengthening the bracket looks tough, but you could add another 3/8" of "length" to the upper bracket mounting hole on the vertical brace to achieve the increased clearance.

T