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What to do for deer collision protection.

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by CapnKetchup, Sep 26, 2018.

  1. Sep 26, 2018 at 5:07 AM
    #21
    PeeDeeTaco

    PeeDeeTaco Custom Title

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    I'm of the firm belief that whistles, loud exhaust, and any other noise making don't do shit.

    The only way to keep from hitting a deer is to get bright lights and slow down.

    I drive late at night every day of the week and see deer every night. Noise and light make them freeze, movement makes them bolt. Which direction they bolt is random and you have to see them before they go .
     
    MadDaddy, jayuu and phsycle like this.
  2. Sep 26, 2018 at 5:10 AM
    #22
    SH7mi

    SH7mi YotaWerx Pro Authorized Tuner PA MD DE NJ

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    @CapnKetchup,
    Welcome to TW.
    To address the topic, I have hit 5 deer in my vehicles, (2 with the Tacoma). First issue is check your insurance, I have a 100$ deductible for deer , as long as I hit the deer only.
    Second, I would purchase almost any type of ‘deer deterant device’ and install it.
     
  3. Sep 26, 2018 at 5:15 AM
    #23
    Blais03

    Blais03 Guess I'll bring a spare wheel bearing...

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    Nick
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    get a steel bumper. you have lots of choices. and get some more lights.
     
  4. Sep 26, 2018 at 5:17 AM
    #24
    dnlskier

    dnlskier Well-Known Member

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  5. Sep 26, 2018 at 5:26 AM
    #25
    Ruggybuggy

    Ruggybuggy Well-Known Member

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    That's why deer whistles are so successful.
     
  6. Sep 26, 2018 at 5:30 AM
    #26
    Dan-O

    Dan-O Member

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    I have had the whistles. The deer don't even twitch an ear when you go by. Junk. Get a good grill guard. I have a Ranch Hand. Of course once you invest in a good grill guard you will never hit anything. We have feral hogs here. It's like hitting a fire hydrant. The best advice...slow down, pay attention, assume every animal/idiot driver will try to kill you. Insurance companies know that it is unavoidable at times. I have had deer hit the SIDE of my vehicles when I was nearly stopped! One more thing, there is ALWAYS more than one deer.
     
  7. Sep 26, 2018 at 5:31 AM
    #27
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ I drink, and I know things… Moderator

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    Just a few
  8. Sep 26, 2018 at 5:36 AM
    #28
    Comatose

    Comatose You snuff it, we stuff it.

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    Bullbar is what we call a damage multiplier. It's going to cost you money and cause more damage to your vehicle in a crash unless it's made of DOM and welded to your frame.

    I second the @Mobtown Offroad bumper. I hit a deer with my mobtown bumper doing about 40 around 3 months ago. Literally 0 damage to my truck.
     
  9. Sep 26, 2018 at 5:40 AM
    #29
    CowboyTaco

    CowboyTaco $20 is $20

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    I have had some very close calls, but been fortunate enough not to hit one yet.

    I purchased the ARB bumper similar to the one pictured on the first page (ARB calls it a Bull Bar FWIW) and added more lights. It looks a little toolbaggish, especially since 95% of my driving is in a big city, but it is absolutely worth it when I get out into the country.

    The ARB bumper is one of the most common for these and many other trucks. They are one of the only bumpers that openly claim that the airbag sensors will still work as intended. This is up for debate because the airbag sensors on these trucks apparently are gravity driven and it takes a certain amount of immediate force to get them to deploy (i.e. has absolutely nothing to do with the bumper). However, no other company makes this claim. ARB is also one of the best R&D'd bumper on the market. Yes, it is one of (if not the) heaviest, but it is reinforced. It is the only bumper where I could find an animal collision test. ARB hoisted a 60lb sandbag 20 feet in the air (or something like that) and dropped it on the corner of the bumper. The result was very little flex and virtually no damage. They did the same test with other bumpers and the corners collapsed.

    The downsides are that they are heavy and expensive. While it isn't necessary, you'll likely want to beef up the front suspension to accommodate the extra weight.

    As for the lights, I have two Rigid Industries "driving pattern" lights that I put in the middle of the bumper and slightly angled out. I also bought a pair of the @ragofabrication ditch light brackets and put spot patter lights angled at about a 45 degree angle. The combination of the driving and flood light pattern gives me near 160* field of view that is bright. I can now see the deer well in advance.

    Thinking about it as I type this, I probably could do without the bumper and just get the lights. I haven't had any of the close encounters since I added the lights. Not that deer haven't darted out in front of me, but I'm able to see them much sooner so I can react accordingly.
     
    BassAckwards likes this.
  10. Sep 26, 2018 at 5:44 AM
    #30
    SH7mi

    SH7mi YotaWerx Pro Authorized Tuner PA MD DE NJ

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    The second photo is before/after. 5300$ damage, my insurance reported it was 30% into the value of the truck. An 08 Tacoma with 279,000 miles.

    E9B0847F-E058-4001-8747-AE9C188DFEB6.jpg
    E249EC5A-86A2-4747-9B7E-FE5A7570856C.jpg
     
  11. Sep 26, 2018 at 5:50 AM
    #31
    Gator352

    Gator352 I like Publix cake ...

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    F8F270DA-691C-46DA-9525-3CB3E32575DB.jpg

    Best defense of deranged deer!
     
  12. Sep 26, 2018 at 5:53 AM
    #32
    CowboyTaco

    CowboyTaco $20 is $20

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    Google "ARB vs Deer"

    https://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/general-discussion/72642-arb-bull-bar-vs-deer.html

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...er-with-your-arb-bumper.475716/#post-14423630

    Tells a story of a success and shows one after a collision with another car: https://landroverforums.com/forum/discovery-ii-18/deer-vs-arb-73629/

    Some damage to the truck, but sounds like the guy was driving over 100mph: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/arb-bumper-deer-vaporizor-truck-destroyer.246225/

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/arb-vs-deer.243809/

    This one shows both what it looks like after deer impact AND a 45mph front on collision: https://www.ar15.com/forums/general/ARB_Bumper_owners_/5-1079648/

    Last one. Damage against a deer at 75mph: https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/99-arb-deer-75mph.651225/

    You get the idea. It may or may not prevent damage, but it is good insurance.
     
  13. Sep 26, 2018 at 8:15 AM
    #33
    1911tex

    1911tex Well-Known Member

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    Mentioned this before: Sold my'03 Tundra for my new Tacoma...the '03 twice hit rutting bucks at night...$1000 in deductibles, 270#'s of venison. Not one single steak! Our city has a hit and leave law. Called the PD each time and offered to quarter the deer for them...no dice. Its a shame. I have deer whistles. Rutting bucks are BLIND. Note: If you hit a deer, leave any hair in the damage....repair stations are warned that non-deer accidents are reported to insurance companies and insurance hikes are in order. If you get my drift.
     
  14. Sep 26, 2018 at 8:19 AM
    #34
    TACORIDER

    TACORIDER Just another statistic

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    Maybe it was a suicide
     
  15. Sep 26, 2018 at 8:26 AM
    #35
    Gunshot-6A

    Gunshot-6A Prime Beef

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    I have a set of the Hella Sharptones (the yellow ones). Deer move right TF outta the way when I hit the horn. Something about the frequency or volume make them hustle when the stock horns wouldn't even make the Utah mulies look up half the time.

    Didn't prevent the near miss with an elk I had last winter though. Driving through Orderville canyon, looked down to see the map, looked up and just saw hooves vanishing into the darkness eye level over the hood. My tailgunner got on the radio and let me know the spectacle that I had missed. Big ol bull elk would done some damage.
     
    Wsteven likes this.
  16. Sep 26, 2018 at 8:30 AM
    #36
    bora12

    bora12 Member

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    ARB... It's rated to hit a kangaroo at 65
     
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  17. Sep 26, 2018 at 8:34 AM
    #37
    Stryker420

    Stryker420 Well-Known Member

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    Hitting a deer is a comprehensive claim, therefore you pay no deductible... You must be mistaken.
     
  18. Sep 26, 2018 at 8:35 AM
    #38
    coopcooper

    coopcooper certified youtube mechanic

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    steel bumper works
     
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  19. Sep 26, 2018 at 8:38 AM
    #39
    tdnick

    tdnick Go Vols!

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    After hitting around 30 deer 2 years ago during rut on the fleet of semi’s I manage, we spent 40k on huge brush guards for them. I believe we hit less than 5 last year.


    So I’m convinced when you spend money to protect your truck, you won’t hit one.
     
  20. Sep 26, 2018 at 8:38 AM
    #40
    tdnick

    tdnick Go Vols!

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    Depends what your comprehensive deductible is.
     

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