MonteroLTD
Adventurer
What do you guys think of brush/grille gaurds? I've been thinking of ways to mount lights on my gen 3. The arb bumper just isn't appealing to me, too boxy in my opinion. Any suggestions?
Grille gaurds
- Thread starter MonteroLTD
- Start date
AFSOC
Explorer
I think brush/grill guards, generally speaking, have nowhere near the utility of a well built and engineered bumper/gaurd combo. Bolt on brush/grill guards attach to factory supplied bumpers. Many times they stick out in front of or hang under the bumper. This diminishes clearence and approach angle. Due to the available attachment points and design of the outer light gaurds, ability to absorb frontal impact without collapsing onto the body is less than that of a reasonably well engineered aftermarket bumper/front end gaurd.
Third gen Montero aftermarket choices may be limited. I understand your trepidation with ARB, while offering better than OEM front end protection, they are noted to "fold up" by users that have experienced front impacts. ARB Bullbars have the "ExPo/Overlander" look and label that gains you currency in this community but several products in the same price range can net greater strength and protection.
Perhaps a simple light bar, that doesn't rob you of clearence is the best choice if your only concern is mounting aux lights?
Third gen Montero aftermarket choices may be limited. I understand your trepidation with ARB, while offering better than OEM front end protection, they are noted to "fold up" by users that have experienced front impacts. ARB Bullbars have the "ExPo/Overlander" look and label that gains you currency in this community but several products in the same price range can net greater strength and protection.
Perhaps a simple light bar, that doesn't rob you of clearence is the best choice if your only concern is mounting aux lights?
MonteroLTD
Adventurer
The cons of a generic grille gaurd have kept me away thus far. A simple light bar would be perfect for my needs. Would you or anyone else know a company that sells/manufacturers such a bar?
loremordred
Observer
Kirk,
I must say, I really love that color Monty. You have made a awesome rig.
I must say, I really love that color Monty. You have made a awesome rig.
Imnosaint
Gone Microcamping
I've searched this as well and outside of fabricating one like Kirk's great work, we're kind of out of luck. But that didn't stop me.
Under the plastic bumper cap is a steel frame upon which the cap is attached. There are two nickel-sized holes in the steel, spaced far enough out from the grill to allow mounting a pair of lamps. I used a pair of washers to fit in the gaps left by the holes and then a pair of fender washers on those to secure the Hella mounts.
It's drilling through the stock bumper cap that takes some nerve, but after everything else I've done to my LTD, there's really no going back. I'm very happy with the install. It's stout without the excess of a brush guard. Your rig looks great stock with your suspension mod and rubber.
There's more on my build thread. Good luck.