Waag or Westin Brush Guard

Longboarder · #1 (**permalink**) 04-15-2002, 10:19 PM

So I have decided to get a brush guard. I like the styling of the Westin and Waag. I guess the Waag comes as a one piece or three piece. The three piece shaves off some coin because it is a lot cheaper to ship. Still, I wanted to see the visual difference between the one and three piece setup but can't find a comparison. Anyone got experience with the Waag? I have seen a few Westin's on this site and am not against them but I guess I am just buying in to the Waag marketing (installs in less than 30 minutes, it slices, dices, bla, bla, bla). In the pics I have found of both, can't tell any real difference between the Westin and the Waag. Still, any comments on the differences would be great...

Longboarder · #2 (**permalink**) 04-16-2002, 12:53 PM

Also, I am getting the TRD bumper cover and am wondering if there will be any clearence problems with the Westin or Waag brush guard and the new bumper.

Polyak · #3 (**permalink**) 04-17-2002, 10:06 AM

I've got the WAAG 3 piece grille guard on my Tundra. I really like it a lot. have had it since around last September or so. Installation was a breeze. THe only downfall to having a grille guard, any grille guard, is that changing the oil takes a little bit longer since you can't remove the skid plate, but I deal with it.

I'm afraid I haven't been around for quite awhile, atleast since this new format of the board after the big crash. So I really don't even know what the TRD bumper cover is, so I can't tell you if it would interfere. I assume the bumper cover is probably some fiberglass painted cover that makes the front end monochrome? If that's the case, I would think that there would be enough room, but don't take that as a definate.

Here is a little bigger pic of my sig pic. I've got more pictures (they were here before the crash), but they must be on my home computer, I'm at work right now.

HTH,
Jeff

Longboarder · #4 (**permalink**) 04-17-2002, 10:47 AM

Polyak, I just got back on this site a few weeks ago myself after having been an outcast for something like a year. The new format threw me as well.

I am told the TRD bumper cover slips on over your existing bumper and adds some thickness. I ordered the bumper cover yesterday so I guess I will put it on and then figure out how much room I lost if I had a brush guard. It looks to me that the clearance between the guard and bumper is no more than an inch. Is that about right?

Longboarder · #5 (**permalink**) 04-17-2002, 10:52 AM

Hey Polyak, do you know if there is a visual difference between the three piece Waag and the one piece?

Polyak · #6 (**permalink**) 04-17-2002, 11:17 PM

I measured my guard tonight. There is 5/8" of clearance between the guard and the bumper. I have attached a pic showing a closeup of the bumper on my Tundra.

As far as the diff between the one piece and three piece, I'm afraid I have no idea.

HTH,
Jeff

Longboarder · #7 (**permalink**) 04-17-2002, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Polyak
I measured my guard tonight. There is 5/8" of clearance between the guard and the bumper. I have attached a pic showing a closeup of the bumper on my Tundra.

As far as the diff between the one piece and three piece, I'm afraid I have no idea.

HTH,
Jeff

I love the look of that bad boy! Thanks for the pics...

Sounds like it is going to be close. I will probably put the bumper on and then talk to the shop and see if I can return it if it doesn't fit.

CJ · #8 (**permalink**) 04-18-2002, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Polyak
I measured my guard tonight. There is 5/8" of clearance between the guard and the bumper. I have attached a pic showing a closeup of the bumper on my Tundra.

As far as the diff between the one piece and three piece, I'm afraid I have no idea.

HTH,
Jeff

Thanks Jeff, could you let us know how this gets mounted to the Tundra? I have the Skidplates.com skid plate and I'm curious if it will work with that.

Thanks

CJ

Polyak · #9 (**permalink**) 04-18-2002, 10:29 AM

CJ, I went to the skidplates.com site and looked at how that plate was mounted, and it definately looks like it would work with the WAAG guard.

The guard attaches to the two tow hook attachment points. Actually, you take the tow hooks off, put the guard brackets in their place, and then put the tow hooks back on over top of the guard brackets, utilizing the tow hook bolt holes.

BTW, that skidplate does look very nice, might have to consider that one, would definately make the oil changes easier while looking better to.

Thanks,
Jeff

Chirsl · #10 (**permalink**) 04-21-2002, 03:45 PM

why dont they make the bull bars for the tundra i love that gard

Longboarder · #11 (**permalink**) 04-23-2002, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CJ

Thanks Jeff, could you let us know how this gets mounted to the Tundra? I have the Skidplates.com skid plate and I'm curious if it will work with that.

Thanks

CJ

I checked out Skidplates.com and also decided to get their skid plate. I plan to install the TRD bumper first, then the skid plate, and then the Waag brush guard. The clearence for the Waag to the original bumper looks tight so hopefully the TRD bumper doesn't add much. I will update you all when I get this far...

5 Speed · #12 (**permalink**) 04-26-2002, 05:36 PM

I purchased the WAAG single piece and was very happy with the look, but the mounting is very weak, like all the front-end units I checked out. Here is my solution. I removed the front bumper from my Tundra and drilled tow holes through the frame bumper (easier said than done - It is a lot easier to remove it). The WAAG attaches to the tow hook bolts, a strong point and two small steel bars attach to the top of the chrome bumper where there is no support. I can't think if you even hit a cat that this wouldn't bend. Well I attached two pieces of angle iron from the frame to the large steel vertical pieces of the guard, now it is solid and I think you could actually push something. Wish the WAAG crosspiece were a little stronger though. I might put a steel bar behind it. With a little effort, I think you could increase the stance of the guard away from the bumper to give your cover some room. There is a little play in the tow hook mounting and the front support bars could be redrilled on the vertical supports with just the minimal effort.

Longboarder · #13 (**permalink**) 04-26-2002, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 5 Speed
I purchased the WAAG single piece and was very happy with the look, but the mounting is very weak, like all the front-end units I checked out. Here is my solution. I removed the front bumper from my Tundra and drilled tow holes through the frame bumper (easier said than done - It is a lot easier to remove it). The WAAG attaches to the tow hook bolts, a strong point and two small steel bars attach to the top of the chrome bumper where there is no support. I can't think if you even hit a cat that this wouldn't bend. Well I attached two pieces of angle iron from the frame to the large steel vertical pieces of the guard, now it is solid and I think you could actually push something. Wish the WAAG crosspiece were a little stronger though. I might put a steel bar behind it. With a little effort, I think you could increase the stance of the guard away from the bumper to give your cover some room. There is a little play in the tow hook mounting and the front support bars could be redrilled on the vertical supports with just the minimal effort.

OK, then I will order the Waag and assume I can get it mounted without major mods. Thanks!

Longboarder · #14 (**permalink**) 05-13-2002, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CJ

Thanks Jeff, could you let us know how this gets mounted to the Tundra? I have the Skidplates.com skid plate and I'm curious if it will work with that.

Thanks

CJ

CJ, I just ordered that same front Skid plate and the Waag Brush Guard. Did your install go ok???

4toys · #15 (**permalink**) 09-28-2007, 07:12 PM

Anyone have experience with the WAAG front runner guard? [just covers the bumper almost full width, not the headlights]

My 2005 4Runner front bumper is showing lots of wear from parallel parking and cruising trails and fields while working.

How much do these various guards tend to weigh?

Like others here, just returned from a long absence and am unaware of the TRD bumper cover and whether there is one for 4Runners.

RealTruck dot com seems to have the best price for the WAAG front runner guard.