Not having actually attached one (I will within the next year), I believe they both attach to the bumper framing. Neither are an extension to the frame or bumper, but, might add a slight bit of protection in a fender-bender. Plus, IMHO, the brush guard looks cool, too....... :razz:

 

As far as I know there are two places to attach such an object:
- the tow loops welded to the front subframe
- the metal portion of the bumper, which is accessed through the lower grill. You'd have to remove all the front plastic to get at this.

For the most part, these 'guards' should be viewed as cosmetic additions - unless the maker gives you some sort of warranty (e.g. we'll pay for all front end damaged caused by brush, bulls, or shopping carts.)

On roads like this, you need some sort of guard along the sides of the car, not on the front

Do you think a guard would help in a situation like this?

 

As far as I know there are two places to attach such an object:
- the tow loops welded to the front subframe
- the metal portion of the bumper, which is accessed through the lower grill. You'd have to remove all the front plastic to get at this.

lets see..........um, Wrong, and Wrong.

The brush guards sold for the element bolt underneath the front bumper to the lower radiator support or cross member.

The upper brackets bolt to the upper radiator support or cross members.

you DO NOT have to remove any front plastic at all to install a brush guard.

If you buy a Hunter (what I have) it comes with very detailed installation instructions & you'll only need to trim a tiny bit of the lower plastic "belly pan" in order to bolt up the two lower brackets.

sorry for the filthy photos...& I need a little touch up paint on the brackets... Pat

 

Hey paulj, thanks for confirming my thoughts that maybe they're more cosmetic than functional. They do look cool though! Plus I like the way they look with the extra off road lights attached.

No, I don't think a brush guard's going to work on an animal that size. The E's horn is pretty darn loud and annoying, that might work pretty good!

 

They do have the Fear Factor advantage! People see that and think twice about bump parking!

Dom

 

Yeah, they do look mennacing! I'm going to have to look into how much force welding one of these to the frame will handle. I've been considering attaching flag poles to a brush guard while camping or using it for pulling / pushing stuck cars. Not that the E's got any monster engine or torque, but the AWD does get me into and out of spots my buddies with 2wd p/ups don't go near.

 

If you want to pull someone else out of trouble, forget about the front. Turn the Element around (making use of its best off-road feature, a tight turning circle), and use a 2" hitch with proper shackle adapter.

If you need to pull the Element forward out of trouble, use a bridle attached to the two tow loops welded to the subframe. Such a bridle could also be used in limited situations to help others, such as on ice, where just a nudge is enough.

There's another thread about off-road preparation, where I recommend a Tirfor style hand winch.

 

Excellent advice!



Thanks paulj!

 

I mean this with love robgt. Dont get it if you just want to make it look cool. if you just want lights than get a light bar (aka something like borkolies) it sounds like you want a wheeler and due to the elements awkward ground clearence and IS its gonna be helllllla hard. Welding to the frame really is just gonna be more money than its worth. go for the light bar, it'll be a lot cheaper and just as useful. and since you'd probably make it you'd be able to customize it a bit better. and I know an E could pull a car, but if your wheelin, you'd cause way more damage to your car. Buy a Heap or Taco.:grin:

 

LOL. Thanks for the sage advice! And yes, I did want to add lights to it for sure because it looks so dang cool! Guess what I really was hoping was for a legit reason to spend the dough and explain to my better half that I really needed to spend the cash because it's really more about the function of the thing than the looks. ;-) I do want a hitch at some point too. Guess I could better convince the Mrs that is really functional rather than the Bull Bar. Especially after reading the prior posts on getting a good tow ring to hook up to the hitch.

Thanks for the input!

 

Nice! or both! if you can get it past the miss's. Maybe get the bull or light bar and put a reeth over it "For the holidays" She's Never know.....:grin:

 

grille guard

I, too have gotten the urge for a grille guard. I called Truck Gear Direct out of Houston and the Hunter grille guard they have for $169 plus shipping for the black powder coat. It can't be too much more than a bull bar/shin bruiser. They do not ship to Canada, so the closest friend I could find was New Jersey, and that was $50 to ship, so $209 shipped. That's practically free! That's the argument I'm using in any case...


http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25725&highlight=hunter+grille+guard

 

I had a brush guard on a 4X4 Nissan PU, so I wanted one on my TRP-E. They look so cool! I got the Steelcraft grille and brush guard, really easy to install. Space to get your hands in is pretty tight, though.

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=300&pictureid=1418

 

Sales resistance, getting weeker!

Okay, I love the idea of 'trying' to hide it under a wreath after I install it. That and about $200 is really hard to resist! The TRP-E looks cool too!

 

i'd like to find a bull bar for our '09 EX, but i'm not having much luck. all i can find is '08 and older.

any suggestions where to find one to fit our E?

 

i'd like to find a bull bar for our '09 EX, but i'm not having much luck. all i can find is '08 and older.

any suggestions where to find one to fit our E?

The mounting location is the same from 03-09 and the front fascia didn't change from 08 to 09 so it should fit just fine on an 09. You could always look at an 08 on a dealer's lot and compare it to your 09 to see if there is any cosmetic difference that would get in the way.

 

Thanks Pat, I don't feel so bad about how salty my E is now!

You did a lot nicer job trimming the plastic than I did. I was impatient and used some left hand aviation snips and broke most of the plastic buttons as well. Thank god for cable ties, holds most of my front end together!

 

I want to ether get a light bar or the brush guard and after seeing the photos I would get the brush guard as it has more attachments then the bull bar. Every one of those I saw wiggled and I didn't care for that. I am glad that they do not put salt on our roads here Thankfully. Mine just really dirty.