Help me deer proof my 2nd gen please

Hello kids.

I'm an old retired guy in northern Michigan with a 2WD stock 2015 Tacoma base model.

I stay close to home in the winter, but enjoy making trips to the other side of the state this time of year.

The deer are out in force this year, and I see a car/deer accident with immobilized car almost every trip.

You guys know how to customize these things, what's my best bet to protect the front end from a deer hit? I have no skid plate, and I understand the best way to do this is to find something that actually bolts up to the frame so it just doesn't push back and destroy the front of the truck anyway.

Product recommendations? I'm not adverse to spending some money on this. I hit 3 deer in a F-150, but no critical damage. Don't care to have one flopping around on the hood again though.

Thanks!

 

This may be helpful if you haven't taken a look yet. I'm interested in finding one myself.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bumpers-2nd-gens-only.164975/

Not sure if adding 100 lbs of steel will cause any long term affects on suspension though.

 

Do you have mule deer, or just white tails in Michigan?

 

We have only whitetails, Lance.

The biggest ones are in the southern counties, although any of them are big enough to bust up a car or light truck.

 

Any users of the Westin HDX?

Is that adequate?

 

From what I've read and understand... The typical bull and brush guards can bend back in one of these events. They're only attached at 1 or maybe 2 points per side at the base, creating a lever arm that may bend back into your truck. I think the consensus on the forums will be to get a plate bumper, which requires some modification/cutting.

 

The ARB deluxe "bull bar" is a good one, from what I have read. I have almost purchased one on several occasions, but backed out due to the price and weight.

Ranch Hand makes some heavy duty guards too, but I think they only make one model for the Tacoma. "The Legacy" model.

You may get a list of the options you are considering and google the parts diagrams and installation instructions for them. The reason behind this being, some brush guards/grille guards are really just ornamental... basically for looks. Find something that looks substantial as far as attachment points to the frame and steel thickness. Also consider the weight of what you want to add, this can affect ride and handling quality.

I was curious about mule deer vs. white tails because mule deer will destroy just about anything just because they are so heavy. White tails can do a number too though, that's for sure.

 

On a similar look as the Westin bull bar, but mounted much stronger the Streamline SOS Concepts bumper
http://sosoffroadconcepts.com/2012-15-tacoma-streamline-bumper/


Might look at aluminum "light weight option" bumpers
http://sosoffroadconcepts.com/12-15-tacoma-front-winch-bumper/

 

That seems to be the consensus here, not bad for pushing shopping carts around.

 

Screw mule deer or white tails, I want to see what people put on their rigs to protect them from Moose. I've seen those big Moose guards that tractor trailers have on in Canada, and other places with Moose. I want a moose guard, that way I know I won't have an issue if I hit a white tail.

We have whitetail everywhere around here, it's crazy. I know several people that sold their Harley's, because the deer have gotten so lousy and they don't want to hit one. 80% of them need to be systematically removed. There is absolutely no reason for that many deer to be running around.

I hit one a couple years ago. There were 8 standing in the middle of a two lane blacktop highway, I came to a complete stop and they crossed over into a field. I started going, was going maybe 15 mph, and some little Bambi SOB comes running out of the woods, runs straight into the grill of my truck, slides across the hood and keeps on running. The truck wasn't worth paying a $1000 deductible for a new hood and grill. so I just lived with it.

See them everywhere plastered along side I-55, especially around the rut.

So I want a good grill guard too.

 

ARB

 

Simple you find a front-end that is big enough that will smash it deer instead of your front end problem solved. And I'm venison deer steak and jerky around the house
Maybe drive within the reasonable speed so that you can avoid this

 

No such thing for trucks our size. Hitting a 1000-1500lb brick wall in the road pretty much destroys a vehicle.

 

Yeah, I've heard it's pretty much game over for most vehicles that hit a moose head on.

 

Another thing to consider if you're driving much at night would be better lighting, especially to the sides of the road where the deer most often are.

 

Best you can do is a plate bumper with full hoops. Good luck, be safe out there.

Maybe you should head out to hunt them, probably wouldn't see one.

 

Just lower your truck a bit and drive under the moose- no need to armor up for them!

 

What ever you get, try to have it angled so the body goes off to the side or down under your truck, not up onto your hood. A couple in the mountains where I used to live hit a burro going 55mph. It went in through the windshield and out their back window, evicerating it's inards all over them on the way through the car. They were ok, a little gut smeared, but not hurt!

 

That's not really feasible. Luckily the couple I've hit went down or to the side.

 

If you go with one of their brush guards go with a winch mount guard. It gives you 4 mount points and fish plates part of your frame. I haven't hit anything with it yet, except for bumping a few barricades.