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Aries Brush Guard installed.

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by MountainMan, Dec 4, 2019.

  1. Dec 4, 2019 at 4:50 PM
    #1
    MountainMan

    MountainMan [OP] New Member

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    Barely got it installed before dark. Bought it off of Amazon and it arrived in perfect condition 5 days before it was scheduled.

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JVPGEPU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    Installation was a pain due to location of bumper bolts. I have big hands and it took a fair amount of cussing to get the bolts started with the brackets on.

    Quality of the brush guard is very good, looks very nice, and should save me money in front end damage. It is VERY solid and has a nice flat platform for an LED light bar.

    I installed one on my older Ram and a week later, a guy lost a couple of pallets off his truck and I hit one. Scuff mark on the brush guard vs. shattering my grille. After having it on a couple of years, it still looked great and it saved me from some front end damage a few times. Well worth the $500 investment.

    The one I put on the 4Runner is a little different, but it follows the body lines very well.

    The only downside to it is that it REALLY affects the approach angle. If this was a serious off-roader, it would not be good. Even on my Ram, there were a few times just on mild logging roads that the front bar dug into the dirt on an obstacle. This one will be no different.

    May end up lifting the whole rig, so that may help, but as is, it is not for someone who wheels their rig on anything other than mild trails.

    IMG_20191204_162121670.jpg

    IMG_20191204_162156006.jpg
     
    Dabigono, Han4Run and SR5 Limited like this.
  2. Dec 4, 2019 at 4:51 PM
    #2
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

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    Doesn't protect anything....
     
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  3. Dec 4, 2019 at 4:52 PM
    #3
    MountainMan

    MountainMan [OP] New Member

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    Whatever, Negative Nancy...
     
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  4. Dec 4, 2019 at 4:54 PM
    #4
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

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    Sorry just pointing out fugly when I see it.
     
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  5. Dec 4, 2019 at 5:03 PM
    #5
    4paws1983

    4paws1983 New Member

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    Front grille guard, rear bumper bar, 30" LED grille light, tint, remote start
    That's the same bar I'm running..20191104_212107.jpg
    Added a 32" double row bar under the cross bar.. perfect fit!
     
    KSJ08 and MountainMan[OP] like this.
  6. Dec 4, 2019 at 5:09 PM
    #6
    MountainMan

    MountainMan [OP] New Member

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    First you say it doesn't protect against anything, which is obviously not true, since my old one definitely protected against a shattered pallet, multiple large tumbleweeds on the freeway, tight turns on the trail and nosing into an embankment and small trees, etc.

    Now you say it's ugly.

    Not really understanding why you chose to post in a thread to just say nasty things about other people's rigs.
     
    DrewMan, SlvrSlug, Han4Run and 3 others like this.
  7. Dec 4, 2019 at 5:30 PM
    #7
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

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    Try hit something solid with it and it pushed the entire guard into your engine bay.

    Then come back and tell me it protected anything or did more damage. Plenty of discussions on this.

    But yes you are correct your rig I retract my fugly statement.
     
    Bodie the Dog likes this.
  8. Dec 4, 2019 at 5:57 PM
    #8
    Matze

    Matze Fremdsprachler

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    Not my kind of tea ether BUT I think it’s wrong to throw it out in a disrespectful way
    Taste is different and that’s good otherwise we would all order the same vehicle in the same color etc.

    Let’s be respectful here
     
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  9. Dec 11, 2019 at 5:08 PM
    #9
    SCgman

    SCgman New Member

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    That is one fine looking cow pitcher......how many bolt connection points are there?
     
  10. Dec 11, 2019 at 5:14 PM
    #10
    will2399

    will2399 New Member

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    I had a guard like this on a 04 Ranger I had, hydroplaned into the back of a box truck. All I had to replace was the guard and bumper, at the speed I was going, if it wasn’t for the guard, it would of been totaled. Some look better than others and it all depends on what you like but to say it won’t protect anything is bs.
     
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  11. Dec 11, 2019 at 5:54 PM
    #11
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

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    Bull bars concentrate the force in a smaller area also pretty much effects the shock absorption that was design by engineers (what do they know anyways right?).

    Now Im not saying full bumper don't do the same either. i've just personally seen a bull guard pushed back into the engine bay.
     
    BestGen likes this.
  12. Dec 11, 2019 at 6:09 PM
    #12
    4Runner_Patrick

    4Runner_Patrick New Member

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    Have to disagree with you. I own the same guard. I took it off because I noticed a drop in MPG. Several months later I had a semi cut me off at a lane drop. My choice was a hitting the semi or taking out a traffic barrel. I took out the traffic barrel and had some minor damage to the front fender. The grill guard flairs out a few inches and would have prevented the damage to the fender had I not taken it off.
     
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  13. Dec 12, 2019 at 2:57 AM
    #13
    MountainMan

    MountainMan [OP] New Member

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    The six bumper bolts and two upper bolts. It's rock solid.
     
    4paws1983 likes this.
  14. Dec 12, 2019 at 5:07 AM
    #14
    4paws1983

    4paws1983 New Member

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    Front grille guard, rear bumper bar, 30" LED grille light, tint, remote start
    Yeah, I was surprised at how solid the mounting is.... not saying you can plow through anything without damages... everything has its limits. But, I can say since I usually back into parking spots, it has taken a few good shots from people who dont know how to park/drive/care about others property ....
     
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  15. Dec 12, 2019 at 5:38 AM
    #15
    SCgman

    SCgman New Member

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    Down here standing up to anything bigger than a deer is just gravy.....
     
  16. Dec 12, 2019 at 10:48 AM
    #16
    BestGen

    BestGen Member #57

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    33"KM2s, 4.88s, Spartan Locker, TG rear bumper, AllPro Kickout sliders, 4Crawler 1.5" BJS, OME 2" Dakar springs.
    There's a reason why these are called 'damage multipliers'.:eek: What does this thing weigh? :militarypress:How has it affected your handling?
     
  17. Dec 12, 2019 at 11:10 AM
    #17
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

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    Don't know will never put one on mine.
     
  18. Dec 12, 2019 at 12:23 PM
    #18
    Grey_BoCo

    Grey_BoCo New Member

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    how do you clean your front bumpers near the headlight area? I feel like the extra metal crossbars substantially block accessibility
     
  19. Dec 12, 2019 at 12:52 PM
    #19
    4paws1983

    4paws1983 New Member

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    Front grille guard, rear bumper bar, 30" LED grille light, tint, remote start
    The wife has small hands! Lol... I get the majority of spaces..., she gets the lower and hard to reach and tight spaces
     
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  20. Dec 12, 2019 at 1:28 PM
    #20
    Jynarik

    Jynarik I like boobies

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    like your prostate?
     
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  21. Dec 14, 2019 at 1:53 AM
    #21
    MountainMan

    MountainMan [OP] New Member

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    Are you serious? Handling? It's a frickin' 4Runner and an 80lb brush guard...

    I have a hard time comprehending the concerns some people have with brush guards causing more damage than they prevent. How many serious front end collisions are people getting into? If you are hitting something hard enough to force a brush guard into the fender, or lights, or engine bay, then if you had hit something without it, you would have suffered serious damage, regardless.

    I mean, really. Think it through, people.

    I bought this because the front end of the 4Runner protrudes and looks like it's just begging to get bumped into, and because I personally have had my prior vehicle saved from minor damage by one of these. It was not bought to save the front end from a major impact, which no bumper or brush guard will do. All that energy gets transferred one way or the other. How do I know? Because I was an auto claims adjuster for USAA Insurance for 6 years and have seen hundreds of collisions and the resulting repairs.

    Until you've had the amount of experience I have had looking at hundreds of accidents and doing the investigations and inspecting the repairs, then seriously just stop throwing out ridiculous assertions and conjecture that you don't have the technical background to back up.
     
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  22. Dec 14, 2019 at 8:54 AM
    #22
    BestGen

    BestGen Member #57

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    33"KM2s, 4.88s, Spartan Locker, TG rear bumper, AllPro Kickout sliders, 4Crawler 1.5" BJS, OME 2" Dakar springs.
    Calm down buttercup. It's a legit question. Hanging 80+ pounds off the front end of your rig might affect handling could it not? I can tell you from experience it does. Now you need to add a lift. You're also assuming a lot about my experience but whatever. If you like it that's all that really matters right? That it is fugly is just an opinion. You know, that thing we're all entitled to. Beautiful 4Runner ok. :thumbsup:
     
  23. Dec 14, 2019 at 12:57 PM
    #23
    SCgman

    SCgman New Member

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    Just 11 more shopping days till Christmas......take a breath, maybe take a drink....
     
  24. Apr 6, 2021 at 10:29 AM
    #24
    Kirby

    Kirby New Member

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    Grill guards are great protection for deer and antelope hits.
     
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  25. Apr 6, 2021 at 10:42 AM
    #25
    Slopemaster

    Slopemaster Slope Survivalist

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    They are certainly popular in Australia. I think it's a must have accessory down under due to the kangaroos.

    Should be good protection against deer strikes.
     
  26. Apr 6, 2021 at 10:49 AM
    #26
    Bodie the Dog

    Bodie the Dog New Member

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    I don't think the light bar is an improvement, lulz.
    But yes, any modifications are good modifications. We all have our own sense of taste, and it is nice to see what people do with their truck.
     
  27. Apr 6, 2021 at 11:14 AM
    #27
    kmeeg

    kmeeg LionRunner

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    I don't see a problem with that as long as they are bolted to the frame like this and the impact goes towards the frame its all good IMO.
    (Example pics from a different bumper products).

    upload_2021-4-6_12-4-33.jpg
    upload_2021-4-6_12-8-12.jpg
    upload_2021-4-6_12-11-14.jpg
     
  28. Apr 7, 2021 at 2:40 AM
    #28
    MountainMan

    MountainMan [OP] New Member

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    Two years later and still going strong. Saved me from a pheasant strike and a few big tumbleweeds.

    Ended up lifting the rig 2.5" and it has been just fine off road.

    IMG_20210308_121226765_HDR.jpg
     
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  29. May 4, 2021 at 6:47 PM
    #29
    slugcatcher

    slugcatcher New Member

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    I like it. If it wasn't for TSS I would put one on mine.
     
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  30. Jan 29, 2022 at 5:22 PM
    #30
    Jynarik

    Jynarik I like boobies

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    I hope you’re kidding. Read the title
     
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