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

[hmrlvr]

Originally Posted by The Green Lantern

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

X2

[RIC-H0]

Originally Posted by h2co-pilot

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

[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!

[Agriv8r]

Originally Posted by h2co-pilot

HA WAY TOO FUNNY

[justin4fun]

Thanks all for the continued input and humor

Been doing some research ... the SMA heavy duty is ".120 wall steel tubing"

The one on ebay is "14 gauge(.081") Marine Grade T-304 Stainless Steel"

The Aries is ".065 steel tube heavy-duty 304 stainless steel"

I've yet to find any information on the specifics of the Manik heavy duty ... 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

[Ipedog]

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

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! )

[humdoug]

Originally Posted by justin4fun

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

[KenP]

Glad you're not injured.

[DDWH]

Originally Posted by KenP

Glad you're not injured.

X2!

[Agriv8r]

Originally Posted by KenP

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

[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.