Hit a deer ... now what to replace?

[justin4fun]

So I was cruising down the highway at about 70 mph when out jumps Bambi's mom ... smack! right off the front of the drivers side. Considering the speed I was going, not too bad ... about $2100 worth of damage including the factory grille guard, fog light, and headlight.

I got my money from the insurance company and trying to decide what to do about the grille guard... replace with another OEM or go with another.

I'm thinking I'd like a stainless steel one rather than black, but not sure how the aftermarket ones would hold up vs the factory one.

I kind of like the Manik heavyduty
http://www.suvxccessory.com/mnks-453050sp.html

but the price of this is tempting too
http://cgi.ebay.com/Grille-Grill-Brush-Guard-SS-HUMMER-H3-SUV-OEM_W0QQitemZ300002263227QQihZ020QQcategoryZ33645Q QcmdZViewItem

Any opinions?

[humma_H3]

I have been wondering about that eBay one- interested to hear if anyone has purchased this and if they have a pic or two.

Sorry to hear about the deer (well your truck, screw the deer). forget the brush gaurd- get the head stuffed and mount that on the front end.

matt
cincy

[h2co-pilot]

;)

[The Green Lantern]

SMA!! :D ..... but they didn't make SS or chrome though, just black.

[hmrlvr]

SMA!! :D ..... but they didn't make SS or chrome though, just black.
X2:D :D :D :D

[RIC-H0]

;)I like this picture better!!!:D
This is usually what's next if I hit a deer!:D

[justin4fun]

LOL ... thanks for the humor and pictures everyone and appreciate any additional input.

I've looked at the SMA guards and while I agree it would make a good "deer battering ram", I really was thinking I'd like something shiny.

Any input on the Manik?

[HIHUMMER]

Justin,
Definately keep checking ebay for better pricing on the Manik Brushgaurd.
example (but I've seen them for less than this): http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Manik-Black-Front-Bar-Hummer-H3-2006_W0QQitemZ4627337929QQihZ002QQcategoryZ42611QQ ssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Some people don't like the Manik accessories. I have their rocker rails, and for the price and look of them, I'm very happy. They have held up great.

Good luck!:)

[DRTYFN]

Glad you're ok and the rat on stilts didn't go through your windshield.

[HIHUMMER]

sorry..found this..had to throw it out there...lol
If only it was animated....

[milbrath47]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Grille-Grill-Brush-Guard-SS-HUMMER-H3-SUV-SHOW-OFF_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33645QQihZ020QQitem Z300002263270QQrdZ1

-I got that on my H3 the construction its pretty nice and all the silver guards from this seller are polished stainless steel not chrome plated so you dont have to worry about it chipping off. The tubing is hollow just like oem but the circumference is a lot larger on the tubing it self. I personally like rubber edge pad and the fact it doesnt come off and cut my sheetrock in the garage when I hit the wall accidently. I think all the guards from this seller are three piece and comes packaged pretty nicely. The thing is strong overall but the best guard hands down to my knowledge is the black SMA cause i think the tubing is solid all around not hollow so that thing can deliver one hell of a hit. Hope this helps.-Best of Luck

[Agriv8r]

;)

HA WAY TOO FUNNY

[justin4fun]

Thanks all for the continued input and humor :rolleyes:

Been doing some research ... the SMA heavy duty (http://www.suvxccessory.com/smas-10032100.html) is ".120 wall steel tubing"

The one on ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=300002263227&ih=020&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT,http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=300002263227&ih=020&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT) is "14 gauge(.081") Marine Grade T-304 Stainless Steel"

The Aries (http://www.suvxccessory.com/aros-4077-2.html) is ".065 steel tube heavy-duty 304 stainless steel"

I've yet to find any information on the specifics of the Manik heavy duty (http://www.suvxccessory.com/mnks-453050sp.html) ... anyone happen to know that info?


Anyway, all this to say the ebay one is in between some of the other competitors out there, but also to be considered is that it is a 3-piece design which could make it less durable ... I guess???

The SMA is certainly the winner so far as strength ... but the price and the fact that I wanted a SS are kinda still pulling me the other way ... decisions, decisions :confused:

[Ipedog]

If you want flashy and strong go with a RealWheels guard, it'll cost you about as much as a house though. :rolleyes:

You've got to decide do you want strong and functional or do you want looks? You could always get the SMA and have it chromed (Please don't! :eek: ;))

[milbrath47]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Grille-Grill-Brush-Guard-SS-HUMMER-H3-SUV-SHOW-OFF_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33645QQihZ020QQitem Z300002263270QQrdZ1

[milbrath47]

NOW DECIDE!

[milbrath47]

The Aries is also three piece

[RIC-H0]

Depending where you're located, You could always go to South Texas Outfitters http://www.southtexasoutfitters.com (http://www.southtexasoutfitters.com/) and have them design a front grill guard that is "Very" strong, and can double as a tilt down game carrier.
So 1st you hit the deer, then you bring the deer home with you!:D

[justin4fun]

Well, I called the Manik technical support and asked what thickness of steel there heavy duty was made out of and the guy said "16 guage" which from what I can tell is about equivalent to the Aries ... so at the buttom of the pile... so think I'll avoid it.

Also as a side note, I think the Aries comes in both 1 or 3 piece.

Now, just a question as to how much I want to spend.

[humdoug]

but the price of this is tempting too
http://cgi.ebay.com/Grille-Grill-Brush-Guard-SS-HUMMER-H3-SUV-OEM_W0QQitemZ300002263227QQihZ020QQcategoryZ33645Q QcmdZViewItem

Any opinions?

I have this exact brush guard and it looks great and it is heavy duty.

[H3.007]

I bought one of the black, "Show Off" model grills from Ebay. About a month later, I t-boned a lady at WalMart who pulled in front of me from the parking spaces. I did well over $2,500 to her Chevy Aveo while my H3 suffered about $1200 damage (paint scrapes to bumper, cracked headlamp assembly, dented bumber cover, scraped grill and tow hook, and trashed brush guard). However, everything remained functional and the body manager told me that I was very lucky to have had the brush guard on or the damage would have been much worse. I replaced the grill with the identical model follwoing all repairs and my H3 is now looking for another Aveo to munch on!!

Chris :cool:

[KenP]

Glad you're not injured.

[DDWH]

Glad you're not injured.

X2!

[Agriv8r]

Glad you're not injured.

but what about the deer? nobody ever cares about the deer;) with the H2s and H3s destroying other vehicles, the deer didnt have a chance, in case you were wondering:D

[Connie_Chung]

I'd put the money into after-market Diff insurance.

[blindzebra]

I love the look of the Manic heavy duty, but I wish it had one more bar coming down to protect the outer edge of the running light.