Looking for the right Grill/Brush guard

I've looked at other threads and didn't find what I was looking for.

2019 Tacoma TRD DCSB. Everything stock except some minor interior additions.

Looking for something that will protect the front against collision, deer, and brush but doesn't cover the headlights and doesn't interfere with ground clearance. I'd have no problem swapping out the stock bumper for a steel bumper if necessary. Would like to stay within $1000 but lets see what's out there first. Anyone have recommendations on this?

 

I have a 2022 trd offroad. I put an AR2 Armordillo guard on mine. Does not cover headlights. Front sensors work good. I don't want a 3rd deer to get me with this truck.

 

This site has a lot of great options: https://www.extremeterrain.com/2016-tacoma-front-bumpers.html/f/?ta$190=Full Width

 

Armordillo Ar2 prerunner guard.

 

Be carefull with the ext people. They will send you an open box returned guard with the box tore all to shit and opened hardware boxes inside with missing parts. Give them a 2nd chance to send missing mounting hardware and you get just nuts and bolts and still won't get the mounting brackets. So I returned it and they still didn't give me a full refund.

 

This was the closest guard I could find in my search and hearing y'all mention it reinforces my thought of it being a decent guard. Thanks!

Now how difficult was it to install?

 

Thanks for the heads up.

 

ARB done.

 

If you want it to guard against brush, you better consider Xpel paint protection film because the paint on these is terrible and scratches right through the thin clear coat and paint.

 

I would have recommended this Vanguard, but it interferes with front approach angle, as all Bull bars do. But doesn't interfere with ground clearance.

 

This is the best looking one, but those shackles.... I use bigger ones on my kayak anchor.

 

Agreed.

 

The Vanguard doesn't look like it'd do fuck all to protect the front of the vehicle from deer damage.

I take that back. The bumper would be ok, but the grill and radiator wouldn't be.

 

No brush guard will, in fact most plate bumpers will bend under a deer strike too. Hitting a 250lb + meat sack at 60 mph has allot of force.

 

No thanks. Out of my price range and more bulk than necessary for what I'm doing.

 

Right, but there's literally no part of the Vanguard covering the grille compared to some of the others. Might work for some just not for me.

 

Along with causing more damage to the truck then without one.

 

Legitimately asking for information here, but do you have information to prove this? I'm not writing off what you said as folklore just trying to understand how having no protection at all could possibly be better against bambi. A moose no doubt but fortunately I don't have to worry about them down here.

Are you saying that if going fast enough it really doesn't matter what protection is on the front of the vehicle, what you hit will push the bar back and create more damage? I agree with that.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/plate-bumpers-after-impact-with-pics.379600/

Take a look through this thread, its just impact pictures of plate bumpers and brush guards.

But brush guards are commonly called "damage multipliers" because they can actually cause more damage in a impact as they bend and hit everything else.

ARB is really the only "deer rated" bumper made

 

I'm ten minutes in and already sold. I'll just have to save up. Fuck it. Thank you for the insight.