oArticle Presented by:
Quinton Becker
Installing a brush guard is an effective way of protecting the front of your vehicle - in addition, doing so will add a custom look to your car or truck. A guard on the front of your truck will add a tough aesthetic to your vehicle, and this look will set your truck apart from other trucks on the road.
It may seem like an odd addition to a passenger car that is until you stop to realize that most police departments use them on their cars as well.
People call brush guards by many different names: some people refer to it as a grill guard or a push bar. Regardless of its name, the brush guard is a bar that can be installed across the front of your vehicle to protect it from debris, particularly brush - hence its name.
The brush guard's functionality is important if you plan on using your truck or SUV on off-road terrain. The large bar of a brush guard protects the front of your truck in much the same way a bumper does, but the guard also implements smaller bars, which cover your headlight lenses. These allow your headlights to shine through, while protecting the lenses from large debris.
If you are one of the many drivers who do not off-road with their vehicle, a brush guard may seem an irrelevant piece of equipment. It can, however, help prevent damage to the front of your car in the event of a low-speed accident. Low-speed, rear-end collisions can cause hundreds of dollars in damage to a vehicle. In cases like this, your brush guard may actually pay for itself. When you hit something with the front of your vehicle, you are likely to damage the bumper, sheet metal, headlight assemblies, and possibly even the radiator or air conditioning condenser. Having any of these parts fixed can add up to a significant repair bill, but the simple installation of a brush guard could prevent these damages in the first place. If you have ever watched police shows on television, you have probably seen a brush guard in action. The large, usually black bar attached the front of police cruisers are brush guards, used to protect police sedans from damage.
Many drivers install brush guards because they wish to add a customized look to their vehicles. Brush guards easy to install; in most cases, they are prefabricated to fit your vehicle via predrilled boltholes. One must simply line it up and bolt it into place. You may want to have a friend help you with the installation - these items tend to be quite large and heavy. You may also wish to install a winch on your vehicle, and you may easily attach such a device to your brush guard. Both offer protection when you winch something toward your vehicle.
Brush guards typically come in either black or chrome, but you do actually have a variety of choices when it comes to the style. You can choose one that covers the center of your front bumper, or you may prefer one that wraps around your headlights.
It is important to choose a high-quality manufacturer when you are selecting a brush guard. You will want to purchase from a trusted manufacturer in order to make sure that the guard will fit your vehicle. If you own a Dodge, you will want to be sure that any new parts you purchase will fit like the original Dodge-made parts. Dodge parts are made specifically for Dodge vehicles, and you will want your brush guard to be made for your car's make and model, versus a "one size fits all" design. Looking at photographs may help you decide which fit and style of brush guard you want for your vehicle. Whatever your preferences, make sure that you select a guard that will suit your vehicle and your vehicle's performance needs.
About the Author:
Quinton Becker writes about cars. DriveWire.com offers 1000s of parts and accessories for dozens of makes & models of vehicles. If you need Dodge parts or accessories such as brush guards for your vehicle, join those who already rely upon http://www.DriveWire.com for their new auto parts.
