Choosing a Full-Size Grille Guard For Your Pickup

Adding style to that truck can be accomplished in any number of different ways. You might choose to install a roll bar on the truck, to put a tonneau cover on it or to install a headache rack. However, one of the best options for adding style, as well as a tremendous amount of protection, is to install a full-size grille guard. You might be more familiar with the term brush guard, or push bar, but these terms all equate to the same basic thing, though individual styles will vary with each manufacturer.

How do you choose the right grille guard for your truck? What type of construction material, methods and finish should be used to create a viable choice? You will need to take care when choosing a grille guard, as the wrong choice can leave you with a product lacking durability and substance.

Choose a Custom Fit

Grille guards are not "one size fits all." In fact, you will need to ensure that you choose a style that fits your particular make and model. You will find that the same guard that fits a Dodge Dakota will not fit a Ford F-150, nor will a guard that fits a Ford Ranger fit a Toyota Tacoma.

This is because the body styles of each make and model are unique. You will need to choose a grille guard that is custom made to fit your particular model. This will ensure that the side hoops will wrap around your headlights and provide adequate protection, as well as ensuring that the central bars line up correctly with the hood and bumper lines. Failure to choose a custom fit solution will result in a subpar experience and might lead to damage to your truck, as well.

Choose the Right Manufacturing Materials

A wide range of manufacturing materials is used in the creation of grille guards. However, you should only opt for stainless steel tubing. The tubes should be TIG welded for the utmost in durability and strength, as well.

Choosing tubular steel (stainless steel with the appropriate finish) ensures that your guard can stand up to the damage and abuse that will occur through use. Any number of things can occur that will necessitate this protection, and choosing a tubular steel construction means that the guard will be there when you need it. Cheaper, inferior construction materials are prone to bending and denting in the face of damage, which can actually lead to additional damage to your vehicle, if the guard makes contact with the body.

Mounting Location and Method

In order to ensure that your grille guard mounts correctly and provides the utmost in protection, you will need to check into the mounting location and method used. A quality guard will mount directly to the frame of your truck. This helps to minimize vibrations, while still ensuring a solid mount.

You should also ensure that the mounting brackets, bolts, nuts and washers are constructed of stainless steel. Stainless steel hardware will stand the test of time and abuse much more than will cheaper options on the market, such as carbon steel.

Guard Finish

What type of finish does your grille guard have? You will find several different types. The best option is a powder-coated finish, which ensures long lasting durability and great looks. However, chromed finishes over stainless steel tubes can also be a great solution. That said, you should ensure that the finish (powder coated or chromed) comes with a lifetime warranty. If it does not have a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer, it's best to avoid it.

Making the Controversial Case For the Full-Size SUV

GM and Chrysler marked the end of an era this week, scrapping plans for 2010 versions of their biggest SUV's and shutting down the factories that produce them. Yes, the full size SUV is now a pariah but for some (like me), the beefy behemoths still serve a purpose.

Vehicles are emotional purchases
On Memorial Day 2006, my wife and I leased a new Jeep Commander. The contract on our 2002 Acura MDX was up and the Hummer-esque Jeep was its replacement. The MDX had served us well and was stylish and capable but I wanted something more rugged and manly. The Big Jeep was a limited model, loaded with a chrome grill, perforated leather seats, an insane Boston Acoustics sound system and parking sensors. We skipped the navigation system, thirsty Hemi V8 and regrettably, the DVD player.

Mid-Size SUV, full-size fuel economy
Two months into the lease, it was clear the Commander was a poor choice. It was gorgeous, but the Big Jeep was wrought with shortcomings. Like many SUV's, its' third row was like a medieval torture chamber and when deployed, left room for little more than a pair of sneakers behind it. Its' second row was only slightly better, turning routine family trips into cramped, uncomfortable odysseys. The mid-size Commander didn't just look like a Hummer - it wallowed in full-size fuel economy numbers of close to 13 mpg. Finally, the Big Jeep suffered from a disconcerting stalling problem that despite an official NHTSA investigation and thousands of complaints, had yet to prompt a recall.

A second chance
After learning of our rights under the Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act, we sold the Commander back to Chrysler, pocketing a substantial refund. Its' replacement? A 2004 Ford Expedition, Eddie Bauer edition. Why would we replace our gas-guzzling Commander with one of the largest SUV's on the road? It's no Prius but surprisingly, the real-world fuel economy of the Expedition was significantly better than the Commander's and from a space perspective, we all had room to breathe again. Moreover, sliding SUV prices made the mint condition, low mileage Expedition a relative bargain compared to other vehicles we were considering.

Why a big SUV works for us
For us, the Expedition is an excellent vehicle. We can comfortably haul our two young children and frequent family visitors, including my parents whom we regularly visit 180 miles away in Philly. We also do lots of work on our home and the Expedition provides ample cargo space for furniture, two-by-fours and almost anything else you care to toss in it. More importantly, my wife and I each work less than 5 miles away, can telecommute, and are within walking distance of most local retailers. Our hybrid-driving colleagues beyond the beltway travel 60+ miles per day round trip. We sometimes don't travel 60 miles a week.

We love our guzzler and despite high fuel prices, don't regret its purchase. But like other recent SUV buyers, we better be prepared to hang onto it for more than a few years. Just as some homeowners are finding themselves "upside down", owners of recently purchased SUV's are in the same boat. Since January large SUV sales have plummeted, along with their market values. In May of this year, values of big SUVs were down 17% from 2007 and continue to slide, even amidst recently retreating fuel prices. We'll probably look to replace our Expedition in a few years and perhaps we'll consider something smaller.

But then again, an Expedition might be able to be had for a few thousand bucks by then.