Dynamic Radar Cruise Control & Ranch Hand Grille Guard

I’ve recently added a Ranch Hand grille guard to my 2018 SR5 and expected to have issues with the DRCC functions since the metal mesh on the RH sits right in front of the radar emitter on the front grille. Fortunately, all the TSS and DRCC functions work just fine! Being an engineer, I was surprised but happy. Seems like the millimeter wavelength of the radar emitter passes through the Ranch Hand’s metal mesh just fine. Who knew?

 

Thats cool that it doesn't interfere with the radar emitter. I recently got a 2018 tacoma and i have been wanting to add a grille guard but was told by the salesman to be careful that it doesn't interfere with the radar. I was just gonna add a bull bar, but if the ranch hand grille guard works fine with it i might just get that one.

 

I highly recommend the Ranch Hand. It's made by the folks in Shiner, Texas and they do great work.

 

Wow that's pretty impressive! I would think it would cause an issue also. Thanks for reporting that!

BTW the Shiner beer is one of my favorites!

 

That’s really neat! I figured it wouldn’t work. I love how the ranch hands look, but boy was I happy to get rid of it on my 2nd gen. That extra weight on the front made mine drive terrible turning, and worse over bumps. I do have to admit it looks great on your 3rd gen though.
Here’s my old 2nd gen

 

I'm surprised you had issues with the extra weight. These things only weigh 120 lbs which is less than a normal size man. Mine drives just fine and it sits at the same nose height as it did before installation.

 

That 120lbs is centered in front of the nose. The guard will shift your weight distribution forward almost 1.5%. It didn't lower my front end any, but I could definitely tell it was able to shake the truck more over bumps especially after I used my taco for several years on the farm. I should clarify that it turned fine normally, but I like to take turns at the maximum speed I can, and I could feel the difference in weight clearly. So it probably isn't a problem for the average Tacoma driver. I've always thought Tacomas were the sports car of trucks.
The grille guard still looked new when I sold it after 4 years of hard use. The build quality is undeniable. I just personally don't ever want that weight up front again.

 

Subbed. I can't believe I missed this thread. I love the Ranch Hand Legends grill guard. I actually reached out to them (Ranch Hand) this week via email and I was told this morning that my inquiry about the sensors will be moved over to their "Support team". Your findings though seem promising, but since I already sent the request to them, I am curious to see what they will come back with.

 

@JTLynch Any updates? Are you still not having any problems with the TSS features like Cruise Control, Automatic High-beams, and Automatic stop?

I am sad to say that I got a response back from Ranch Hand that is not what I was looking for. They stated, "The Grill Guard for the 2018 Toyota Tacoma model [format] will work, however the grill guard will not work with the location of the sensors."

Honestly, if you are not having any trouble, I wonder if they even tested it. Though, it may be the case that they did, but because we are putting a metal object in front of the sensor, they did not want to officially endorse it because of possible lawsuits.

 

No issues at all. Works like a champ!

 

Totally did not know this! Actually have one for sale. Have turned away many buyers with 18s

 

Howdy JTLynch, saw this post and joined TW. I know it has been more than half year since you installed this ranch hand guard. I’m interested in getting one for my 2018 Taco, with sensor. I’m curious how it has been doing on your truck. Are all the sensor functions working fine still?

 

This guy is probably dead already. We need a brush guard for tss Tacoma’s.

 

RANCH HAND, METHOD 305 WHEELS, BFG K02