Choosing a Brush Guard, Grill Guard or Pre Runner for Your Jeep

CHOOSING A BRUSH GRILLE GUARD OR PRE-RUNNER FOR YOUR JEEP

For every Jeep Wrangler owner, epic off-road action is a great delight that fuels the spirit of off-roading. It drives the pursuit of different upgrades and modifications in the off-road community, as every off-roader seeks to boost their vehicle's off-road capability every now and then.

The truth is, the trail is full of many uncertainties. If you don't want to be caught off-guard, you must be fully prepared for all kinds of situations and conditions. One important upgrade that will count in your favor in any off-road situation is a Jeep grille guard.

While blazing through the trail, a Jeep grill guard will shield your Jeep's bodywork from all unexpected boulders, low branches, and absorb the impact of collisions. Before I delve deeper into the features and basic functions of the most common grille guards available today, here is how grille guards differ from Jeep bumpers- even though their functions are somewhat similar.

The importance of Jeep bumpers cannot be overstated, especially if you are looking to protect your exterior components from the hazards of the terrain. Usually, there are quite a number of them, from tube bumpers, to rock crawlers, and even stock bumpers. Still, a bumper on its own can only go so far. While it will protect the very front of your Jeep and some of the underside, it is incapacitated when it comes to protecting the total surface area. From your vehicle's grille to your Jeep's hood and fenders, you want to add an extra layer of protection. This will help prevent rough brush and branches from causing permanent dents and scarring to your paint job and disrupting the look of your vehicle.

There are three basic names for these parts, though there is some overlap, and one part can do the work of two. The three most common are Brush Guard, Grille Guard, or Pre-Runner. Another name sometimes used will be "hoops." In the end, these are all made to give you even more protection up front beyond the reach of a bumper.

Brush Guards - These are generally designed to keep brush and low branches off your vehicle. They can extend out from the center to protect your fenders, and in most cases, your front headlights. They tend to be about the same height as the hood once installed. No low branch is likely to hurt your front bumper, but one good whack to a headlight, and you might be out a couple of hundred bucks for an HID setup. Most manufacturers that make them for Jeeps usually incorporate them into a bumper, unlike a pickup truck where the Brush Guard bolts to the front bumper on its own.

The styles vary widely. For instance, this Brush Guard from Warrior fits a Cherokee. Notice how it covers the entire front grille, but also extends out to protect the headlights. Since it is part of the Warrior bumper, it is much stronger than just an average "add-on" guard held on by cheap bolts. In the case of a Wrangler, Aries Automotive makes one that covers your headlights and gives you the full coverage you need, all the way across the vulnerable areas on the front of your Jeep. Got a Grand Cherokee? No problem, Rugged Ridge has you covered. RealWheels makes one for the ultimate protection of your JK Wrangler.

Grille Guards - These do what the name implies, they guard the grille of your Jeep against brush and low branches, but sometimes can even protect you from larger objects. Protecting the grille is one thing, and that's cosmetic. While off-roading, you want to protect what's behind the grille, which is the all-important radiator. Poke that puppy with a thick branch or loose rock, and you'll be dead in the woods and looking for someone to tow you home. That is how fast things can go awry, especially if you drive a JK or modern Jeep with aluminum heads and engine parts.

Grille Guards on a Jeep are usually part of an aftermarket bumper or will be designed to fit a specific brand. So it's something you want to think about when you purchase a new bumper for the front of your Jeep. We carry Grille Guards in several brands, such as Warn, Bestop, MBRP, FabFours, and many others.

Bull Bars - If you ever saw a bull or cow standing in your way on a country road, you know how you might need that bar. In older days, I imagine it was used on ranches and farms to herd cattle around. I'm sure that was a lot easier and safer than getting out and trying to nudge that bull on your own. Whatever you call it, it's usually centered in front of the grille and hood. Typically, this will attach to the front of the bumper but may extend slightly below it. Most have a curve that shapes them up and over the front of the lower bumper.

They won't be quite high enough to protect the grille in most cases. A Bull Bar can be used to push other vehicles while you're off-roading if they get stuck, or to push large objects out of the way. At XT, we carry a variety of Bull Bars in different brands such as Rugged Ridge, Westin, ARB, and even some for trucks, such as this Smittybilt example. Don't let those bulls push you around; now you can push back!

Pre-Runners - A Pre-Runner is almost a combination of different kinds of guards. They vary in shape and size, and some will cover just the grille, or all the way to the fenders and beyond. They can take on some wild shapes and sizes. Just by definition, the "Pre" title means they will come in contact with something before your Jeep does. N-FAB's Pre Runner covers a wide area, giving any thick brush a wide berth from touching your Wrangler. Warrior makes one that's more compact but still offers some great coverage.

No matter which type of protection you use to keep your Jeep safe while off-roading, (because these are generally a part made with steel tube fabrication), you can also add a lot of accessories to them. Everything from extra lighting to a camera mount. So they can be very useful, even if you rarely trail.

These are just a few of the options that will come up when choosing a bumper. Like anything else on a Jeep, there are different styles and combinations so that you can build your bumper and the front of your Jeep to meet your needs and get the cool look you want. How much protection do you need? Now you can decide from various options.

Even if you are looking to add a solid front-end protection to your rig, XT carries a wide range of sturdy Jeep grille guards that will keep your vulnerable front exterior components out of harm's way. More so, these grille guards will add that fierce and beastly look to your vehicle. So if you are looking to make a statement with your roadster, you are in luck.

See you on the trails!