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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: SNAFU on August 30, 2005, 07:39:27 PM

Title: Brush / grill guards
Post by: SNAFU on August 30, 2005, 07:39:27 PM
I'm looking for a front brush/grill guard or new bumper for a 97 tracker.  I've checked out the calmini site and they have a nice one for about $300, but I've seen pics of trackers/kicks with others that I would like to check out as well.  Can someone recommend other brands that will fit?

Thanks.
Title: Re: Brush / grill guards
Post by: Digger on August 30, 2005, 07:45:35 PM
Check out the Gear Guide above. Shrock is making one and there's the ARB bumper. Some of the other aftermarket companies might have some as well. There's a canadian mail order place that still had some of the grizzly brush guards(which have been discontinued), but I don't remember their name...
Title: Re: Brush / grill guards
Post by: wildgoody on August 31, 2005, 08:34:23 AM
Call Shrockworks, he's got a killer front
bumper with a brushguard built in to it.

Search for the thread and see

Wild
Title: Re: Brush / grill guards
Post by: Zukipilot on August 31, 2005, 09:00:49 AM
Call Shrockworks, he's got a killer front
bumper with a brushguard built in to it.

Search for the thread and see

Wild

SNAFU
I bumped it back to page 1 for you. Check out the Tracker Project Vehicle thread by SHROCK.

Zig
Title: Re: Brush / grill guards
Post by: Bobzooki on August 31, 2005, 10:21:32 AM
Not to be disrespectful, or anything, but I have a serious problem with the idea of a "brush guard".

If you're "Treading Lightly", you shouldn't ever NEED a "brush guard", because you'll be staying on marked trails.  I'm sure, that I'm probably over-simplifying something here, but I've never been in a place, while wheeling, where I needed to worry about protecting my front from "brush".

OK, if you're looking at it because it "looks cool", that's a good reason to get one, I guess.  I mean, after all, even I have red mirrors, because I like the way they look...   ;D
Title: Re: Brush / grill guards
Post by: Utah_Tracker on August 31, 2005, 11:27:07 AM
Bobzooki,
    Just to speak about the use of a "Brush Guard". I live were the Sage Brush runs suprem with thousands of miles of dirt/sand/mudd roads.  I've been on many roads that have mostly reverted back to Cattle trails because the the Sage Brush (Just hanging over the sides, roots and main bush is still off the trail/road).  I'm really not sure about else where but the brush guards do a lot of good at saving your grill and marker lights in this environment.  A side from the beautiful desert that I live in the only other real purpose for a good brush guard that I've found is if in the spring you don't have a chain saw and try to drive over the trees that have fallen on the Mountain roads over the winter or warding off the suicidal Mule Deer that plague our hiways.
   Just my 2 cents.

Utah
Title: Re: Brush / grill guards
Post by: SnoFalls on August 31, 2005, 11:31:56 AM
Here in the PNW, in the spring, the brush gets pretty dang thinck on the less traveled trails. I have been places where a 2" thick branch is hanging into the trail and could tear into the grille.

I don't have a brush guard (I already have a decent amount of body damage), but on a newer/nicer rig, I can see the use.
Title: Re: Brush / grill guards
Post by: Bobzooki on August 31, 2005, 11:35:15 AM
I'm really not sure about else where but the brush guards do a lot of good at saving your grill and marker lights in this environment.  A side from the beautiful desert that I live in the only other real purpose for a good brush guard that I've found is if in the spring you don't have a chain saw and try to drive over the trees that have fallen on the Mountain roads over the winter or warding off the suicidal Mule Deer that plague our hiways.

Yeah, I can see some sense in that.  The Sagebrush isn't quite that bad, in most of Colorado.
If I were opening up a trail after the winter, I would definitely be carrying a chain-saw, or using the winch, to clear deadfalls.  Trail maintenance is a responsibility we can all help with!

The deer...yeah, I've "tagged" a deer (just bumped him, didn't injure him) with my rig.  A brush guard wouldn't help at all against an Elk, or a Moose!  :eek:  Good points, though.
Title: Re: Brush / grill guards
Post by: crikeymike on August 31, 2005, 12:24:13 PM
It's like a seat belt.  They have them in a car so you wear it, just in case.  Bull bars come with them, just in case something smacks into your front end, so you have it on there, just in case.

You want to protect your radiator and front end as much as possible, not to mention $150 each side for headlights.

In colorado, you don't need one, but anyone that has ever driven in treed areas, like in the PNW,  even on the most popular runs, there can still be branches hanging out waiting to smack the front end.  The difference between "tread-lightly" and driving a 4x4 thru a wooded trail is quite a lot.
Title: Re: Brush / grill guards
Post by: chet on August 31, 2005, 12:57:32 PM
int he PNW its a requirement if you like your headlights and turnsignals! Like was said all our trails try and reclaim themselves every spring and I will be damned if I am going to brush out a 4-5 mile long trail with a chainsaw the whole way! And thats only one trail!
Title: Re: Brush / grill guards
Post by: SNAFU on August 31, 2005, 02:59:03 PM
OK I admit it's mostly for looks.  Lets face it the Tracker isn't the most aggressive looking vehicle and I just want a little something to counter its somewhat sheepish persona.  Here in NC there is not much sage brush :)  If I slide into something with the front end the extra protection will be a bonus.
Title: Re: Brush / grill guards
Post by: Bobzooki on August 31, 2005, 03:10:47 PM
Lets face it the Tracker isn't the most aggressive looking vehicle


If it's a 4-door, look at Nate & Heather's rig.
If it's a 2-door, well...

Yeah, but this all takes a pile of time and money.  The Evil Seed is planted!

(http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/1299/gettingair20kk.jpg)
Title: Re: Brush / grill guards
Post by: Agent Orange on August 31, 2005, 08:54:44 PM
Al,

i think your looking for a grille guard like this one.
(http://www.omghi2.us/april05/IMG_0193a.JPG)
(http://www.omghi2.us/april05/wheelin2.jpg)

it's made by grizzly. the only problem is they're discontinued so you'll have to look on ebay for one. i like it cause it helps to keep the weight down, you can mount a set of lights, and it make the tracker look a bit more agressive. they also sold a set of headlight guards that were sold seperatly but i didn't get them.
Title: Re: Brush / grill guards
Post by: Zukipilot on September 01, 2005, 03:37:34 AM
OK I admit it's mostly for looks.  Lets face it the Tracker isn't the most aggressive looking vehicle and I just want a little something to counter its somewhat sheepish persona.  Here in NC there is not much sage brush :)  If I slide into something with the front end the extra protection will be a bonus.


If you start running old NC logging trails your brush guard will come in handy. Having and using a brush guard have NOTHING to do with someone not treading lightly in this part of the country. Old logging trails and even old county roads (still in use with no maintenance) overgrow with limbs and weeds in a matter of a few weeks of not being used. If you’re the first down an old county road in the spring you are frequently using your brush guard to push the limbs out of the way as you drive under the canopy. Unless you’re in a pay per use park, or land that is currently being logged we don’t have wide-open trails like out west. So get you one for the looks or to use it, just use it responsibly. ;)

Zig
Title: Re: Brush / grill guards
Post by: SNAFU on September 01, 2005, 06:16:07 AM
Al,

i think your looking for a grille guard like this one.
([url]http://www.omghi2.us/april05/IMG_0193a.JPG[/url])


Yes, that would do nicely.  Doesn't look too expensive either.  I'll check around for one!
Title: Re: Brush / grill guards
Post by: Bobzooki on September 01, 2005, 07:06:02 AM
Now, I'm really laughing, because my Calmini front winch bumper HAS a "grill guard" just like that - what was I thinking?  (I guess I just forget it's there...)

(http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/5834/pritchett3to.jpg)
Title: Re: Brush / grill guards
Post by: lil_Truck on September 01, 2005, 07:37:24 AM
You should see the "lil truck".  I have scratches in the front and side glass from branches that hang over the trails here in Michigan.

I also have the Calimini bumper and a broken head light.  I've thought of adding a couple loops around the lights for protection.
Title: Re: Brush / grill guards
Post by: Zukipilot on September 01, 2005, 07:41:56 AM
Al,

i think your looking for a grille guard like this one.
([url]http://www.omghi2.us/april05/IMG_0193a.JPG[/url])


Yes, that would do nicely.  Doesn't look too expensive either.  I'll check around for one!


Does Explorer Pro-Comp still make their Brush guard? I think Heather had one on het 4 door at one time :-\ That was a good looking product for a stock bumper add on application.

Zig
Title: Re: Brush / grill guards
Post by: Agent Orange on September 01, 2005, 09:40:36 PM
Does Explorer Pro-Comp still make their Brush guard? I think Heather had one on het 4 door at one time :-\ That was a good looking product for a stock bumper add on application.

Zig

that's been discontinued also. i'm glad i got one of the last grizzly's which i think looks better.  ;D