grill guard proction- tight on money

After putting on 31in off road tires, new rims and a bilsten lift I am going down the home stretch! I drive a 2005 Tocama but live in iowa so I am paranoid about hitting a deer. As I have done research the grille guards like https://www.carid.com/2005-toyota-tacoma-grill-guards/aries-one-piece-grille-guard-33154785.html
or
https://www.carid.com/2005-toyota-tacoma-grill-guards/westin-sportsman-grille-guard-379774.html
will only make the damage worse if I hit something by bending the frame. Am I correct on this? I can afford an off road bull guard because I'm going to college soon. I have roughly 400-ish to spend.

 

Keep saving. They will do more harm than good if you ever do hit something bigger than a small stick.

 

You won't get any real protection unless you get a full bumper replacement like an ARB. If you're tight on money you could fab up one yourself.

I have one on my '98 just because of the way it looks. I know it multiplies damage and is ass on my fuel economy but I have it simply because of how it looks.

 

I just got in a wreck with a bar on the front of my truck. (Check build thread for pics) All it did was multiply damage. Either keep saving for a plate bumper, or see if you can score a used one locally. All a bull bar/grill guard will do is multiply damage if you hit a deer or another car, costing you more money.

 

Finding a local fab is another great way to pinch pennies because shipping a full bumper is definitely more expensive.

Not sure where in Iowa you are but a quick google search came up with "Xtreme Terrain Off-Road" and they do full bumpers. Driving a while to get something is still cheaper than shipping, usually.

 

They are a little more expensive but are stronger and allow for a winch to be mounted.
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Bumpers-....aspx?t_c=64&t_s=26&t_pt=6410&t_pn=ARB3423030

 

not a bad price tag at all actually!

 

That is the one I'm considering for my 05.

 

How much $ is Jerry Jones going to pay you to advertise for him?

 

could try one of these.

 

I second the arb bumper. Just google Tacoma arb bumper after hitting deer and you'll see why people get these. I'm sure other plate bumpers are good too. Good luck