Front brush guard advice

[david.lemke]

Guys and gals, I have a express van and I am looking for a front bush guard.......
I know that nobody make a brush guard for our vans, but u have seen several on these forums with them mounted
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What style of brush guard is compatible with our van from another type of full size vehicle???????
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I am also looking to mount a winch as well to the frame horns
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Thanks in advance

 

[86cj]

GM Van Brush Guard

Go Rhino 3155 series made for a new GM Van and bolts on..............

http://www.summitracing.com/search/brand/go-rhino/part-type/grille-guards/year/2013/make/chevrolet/model/express-1500/product-line/go-rhino-3000-series-stepguards?autoview=SKU&N=400199%2B4294892817&sortby=Default&sortorder=Ascending

I have had a black one of these in the past on a different vehicle and don't have super high expectations, but mine is pretty sturdy and the lights don't vibrate. It really is a light mount and window washing step that might keep a deer out of the radiator, hopefully keeping you moving along.

I almost bought a stainless one for a GM truck and made my own brackets (the size and shape looks pretty close), I could not find a stainless grill guard made for a Van. There is not many options for these vans and mounting lights on the bumper is weird due to the thick plastic cover.

An Aluminess or Buckstop bumper would be great but are pricey and heavy for a 1/2 ton:..http://www.aluminess.com/chevrolet/chevy-van-2003-2013/front-bumper/.....My favorite:.http://www.buckstop.biz/vans.html

I was thinking get a black stock bumper then cut, section and change it to suit your desires (think Gnarvan) grind and paint.

Some more bumpers I found:

 

[WUzombies]

Go Rhino 3155 series made for a new GM Van and bolts on..............

http://www.summitracing.com/search/brand/go-rhino/part-type/grille-guards/year/2013/make/chevrolet/model/express-1500/product-line/go-rhino-3000-series-stepguards?autoview=SKU&N=400199%2B4294892817&sortby=Default&sortorder=Ascending

I have had a black one of these in the past on a different vehicle and don't have super high expectations, but it is pretty sturdy and the lights don't vibrate. It really is a light mount and window washing step that might keep a deer out of the radiator, hopefully keeping you moving along.

I almost bought a stainless one for a GM truck and made my own brackets (the size and shape looks pretty close), I could not find a stainless grill guard made for a Van.

An Aluminess or Buckstop bumper would be great but pricey, I was thinking get a black stock bumper then cut, section and change it to suit your desires (think Gnarvan) grind and paint.

Most of the minor collisions I worked where a truck had a brush guard like that ended with the truck having heavier damage due to the guard folding into the grill, hood and lights. The major collisions and fatals the light metal had no effect for added safety. Built out replacement bumpers typically do a good job keeping damage down in minor collisions but can really apply an asymmetrical load to the frame in an offset longitudinal collision. In those cases sometimes the bumper replacements don't compliment the vehicle's crush well.

 

[TripLeader]

The concern I would have with a brush guard is the effect it will have on your airbags.
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If the guard blocks the airbag sensors from correctly reading impacts, then your airbags might not inflate in a crash.

 

[86cj]

It mounts to the bumper brackets, not the frame because of the Airbags ..........

I did call it a light mount that "might" keep deer out of radiator so I get it, the word hopefully meant no fluid leaks and one light for the ride to town...........

 

[david.lemke]

SRS sensor is under the core support, so I am going to install a kill switch for when I off road.......
But as far as the brush guard, it iss more for looking good, I know it won't stop much, but it will look good and I will have a purpose to mount a winch and it will look better yet.........but I do know its not a protection device, I can fab a strong unit out of .125 Dom or thicker and make it functional and all, but it's just to much Damn weight up front
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Thanks for the info on the summit one, gonna have to check it out

 

[philos]

If it's not an actual "bull-bar," then it's likely a damage multiplier in most cases.