Grill guards are often utilized by the police and the military forces for extra vehicle protection against the terrain, wildlife, and collisions.
However, it’s an excellent modification for every truck, especially if you live out in the country. Other than protection, grill guards make your truck look more powerful and meaner.
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Comparison of the Best Tundra Brush Guards
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What is a Grille Guard? What is a Brush Guard? Are They the Same?
Grille guards offer (typically) center front-end protection for your truck, preventing damages that deer, foxes, or other wildlife might cause. They’re excellent, and they’re usually a bit more sturdy than brush guards.
Brush guards are similar to grille guards, but brush guards protect your headlights as well. However, the protection most usually isn’t incredible, and brush guards can get more damaged in a collision than grille guards.
Grille guards and brush guards are also used aesthetically for a ‘beefy’, heavy-duty look. They’re the same in that regard, and they’re made out of similar materials, but their purpose is somewhat different. Grille guards protect your truck’s center front-end only, while brush guards protect your front-end completely.
Do not be surprised if you see the terms used interchangeably though, many do not know the technical difference.
How Do I Choose a Grille Guard?
There are multiple options to choose from, and the choice of which grille guards to purchase for your Tundra should be made based on your needs.
Protection and Coverage
Grille guards cover and protect your truck in different ways, so it’s essential to know how much protection you want out of a grille guard. Center grille guards offer good protection, but they don’t cover the headlights as full grille guards (or brush guards) do. Bull bars are designed for off-roading, assisting your vehicle in climbing over steep slopes and rocks.
Stylistic Aspect
Grille guards are often purchased solely for their heavy-duty look. Most importantly, pick a grille guard that goes well with the lines of your vehicle, otherwise, it could look tacky. A center grille guard is an excellent choice if you’re going for a sleeker look, while a full grille guard offers the classic, rugged style.
Material of the Grille Guard
Grille guards are built for strength out of either stainless steel or regular steel. However, there are a few finishes that offer different styles; plated chrome, powder coat, high gloss paint, and non-painted stainless steel. Try to match the grille guard with your truck’s color for a beautiful appearance.
Fitment
Grille guards are usually made for exact model year trucks, but there are also universal grille guards. It’s best to purchase a grille guard made for your Tundra, but if you can find a universal grille guard that won’t look uneven or disproportional, you can save some cash.
Review of the Best Tundra Brush Guards
Your Toyota Tundra deserves the best and that’s why we present you with only the best!
Best Overall:Westin HDX Grille Guard
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PROS
- Perfect fitment
- The grille guard is one solid piece
- Full coverage, including the headlights
- Powerful look that follows Tundra’s design lines
- Durable, high-quality grille guard can withstand a lot of abuse
CONS
- A tad difficult installation
- The instructions could be a bit more detailed
What Recent Buyers Report
There are very few negative reviews on the Westin HDX grille guard, and the only complaint Tundra owners have is the lack of detailed instructions; However, once you figure it out, it’s a smooth, bolt-on installation. Other than that, people love the look and the fitment. A few people have put the grille guard to the test, and they report that it wasn’t even scratched.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Westin HDX grille guard is a beautiful modification for a Tundra that looks and feels heavy duty with a stainless or black powder finish. The quality is extraordinary; you will realize that it isn’t just for the show once you try to maneuver it into place. At the same time, the installation will take a bit of time since the Westin HDX grille is one solid piece.
The grille guard offers complete coverage, including the headlights. Nothing will be able to damage the front side of your Tundra. If you so desire, you can also install a light bar on the grille guard.
Bottom Line
Westin HDX designed one of the most praised grill guards on the market. You can expect your Tundra to look and feel heavy-duty, and you won’t ever have to worry about your truck getting damaged.
Runner-up:ARIES Pro Series Black Steel No-Drill Grille Guard
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PROS
- Excellent, seamless fitment
- Finished with rust-resistant black powder coat
- Made out of carbon steel into a one-piece design
- A 30-inch light bar can be mounted on the grille bar
- Outstanding protection, including headlight protection
CONS
- Only fits the 2008-2014 Tundra year models
- Comes without mounting hardware
What Recent Buyers Report
The Aries Pro Series grille guard receives a lot of praise from Tundra owners. They say that it looks great with a sleek yet heavy-duty feel to it. The fitment is perfect, but the installation takes a lot of effort, even though there is no drilling required. A few customers recommend taking the grille guard to a mechanic for installation.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The ARIES Pro Series grille guard has a unique look to it and a unique design that can house a light bar, setting your Tundra apart from the rest. The grille guard is made out of carbon steel tubing with a corrosion-resistant black powder coat finish. Quite resilient, even to the smallest scratches, the grille guard protects the headlights as well.
You won’t have to drill into your truck for the installation, but the grille guard is heavy, and it will require a bit of effort to mount. Once you finish the installation, the fitment should be perfect, almost as if the Tundra came with the ARIES Pro Series grille guard from the factory.
Bottom Line
If you own a 2008 to 2014 model year Tundra, the ARIES Pro Series grille guard is a perfect choice. Excellent protection and a unique, powerful design will make your truck stand out from the rest.
Best Tundra Grill Guard With Lights:Rough Country LED Black Bull Bar
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PROS
- Sturdy and clean look
- Complete front-underside protection
- Corrosion-resistant black powder finish
- Stylish LED lights integrated into the bull bar
- 5 years of warranty and 3 years of warranty on the light bar
CONS
- May interfere with vehicle’s sensors
- Won’t work on vehicles with active cruise control
- The installation takes some time but can be done alone
What Recent Buyers Report
There’s a good amount of praise for the Rough Country LED Bull Bar. Customers claim that the bull bar was well worth the money. The fitment is perfect, clean, and although the installation took a couple of hours, most Tundra owners were able to do it themselves. A few people tested the bull bar with great results; It’s quite durable, and the lights performed great in fog.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Rough Country’s LED bull bar is made out of durable tubular steel that’s able to withstand a lot of abuse, protecting the front side of your vehicle. The LED light bar provides bright lighting, and it’s quite visible even in thick fog. The bull bar also protects the underside of your Tundra from slopes and rocks.
The bull bar is quite simple to bolt-on with a bit of help from a well-written installation instructions manual. The fitment is perfect, and the results are eye-catching. The style isn’t as heavy-duty looking like a brush bar, but it’s quite sleek.
Bottom Line
The Rough Country’s LED bull bar provides a stylish look for your Tundra. It’s perfect for everything; off-roading, driving in the fog, and protecting your vehicle from hazards. Driving around with Rough Country’s LED bull bar will turn heads!
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Editor’s Pick:Tyger Auto Star Grill Guard & Running Board Combo
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PROS
- Comes with a 5-year warranty
- Made out of heavy-duty steel tubes
- Makes your truck look and feel fuller
- Includes side protection running boards
- You can mount a LED light bar (Lights aren’t included)
CONS
- Only fits CrewMax Cab with 4 doors, doesn’t fit Double Cab
What Recent Buyers Report
Customers report that the installation was a bit awkward since the running boards and the grille guard weigh a good amount, but they were able to do it themselves. They’re quite sturdy with a great finish. Customers are concerned with the bar itself and whether or not it would provide a lot of protection in case of a collision. Overall, a well-liked product.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Tyger Auto Star bull bar with running boards included is made with high-quality steel tubing that will not get bent or damaged under normal circumstances. The running boards and the bar are coated with rust-resistant black paint. The installation won’t require too much hassle, as many other grille guards do.
The Tyger Auto Star bull bar covers only the center of your front-end, so your headlights could get damaged. However, the bull bar combined with the running boards will add a unique look to your truck, making it fuller and special.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking to transform your Tundra’s appearance, the Tyger Auto Star bull bar with the running boards will do exactly that, and more! Protect your truck, and add style to it at the same time!
5. Topline Autopart Black Grill Guard
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PROS
- Easy bolt-on installation
- Excellent, seamless fitment
- Bull bar that protects your underside
- Heavy-duty steel bar with a black powder finish
- Comes with everything necessary for the installation
- Fits 2007-2020 Tundra year models
CONS
- You might have to relocate your license plate
What Recent Buyers Report
There is a lack of feedback on the Topline Autopart grille guard. However, a few people that bought the grille guard are very satisfied with the purchase. They’re saying that the bull bar takes 30 minutes to install. It also looks very well made, especially considering the price.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Topline Autopart grille guard is a perfect modification for every off-road Tundra. The bull bar is designed for the Tundra exactly, so the fitment is excellent. It provides front bumper and underside protection against steep slopes, rocks, and curbs. The frame is made out of steel with a black color powder finish, and it looks heavy-duty. However, it isn’t made out of stainless steel, but that allows you to save on the price!
The installation is extremely simple, and The Topline Autopart provides a manual with detailed instructions; The installation shouldn’t take more than half an hour.
Bottom Line
Topline Autopart’s rugged bull bar with underside protection turns your Tundra into an off-roading beast. Considering how great the grille guard is and how much it provides, the price tag screams value.
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Benefits of Investing in a Quality Brush Guard
Brush guards of the highest quality are made out of stainless steel with rust-resistant corrosion. Investing in a quality brush guard will allow you to drive without worrying about the brush guard rusting, even spreading the rust to your truck.
A high-quality brush guard will not bend or scratch. It will be able to withstand a lot over a long period of time. By investing a bit more in a quality brush guard now, it means that you won’t have to purchase another one in a couple of years.
High-quality brush guards will be able to protect your headlights from a collision. They will even be able to push heavy objects without bending or getting damaged. On the other hand, brush guards with lower quality will bend, get damaged, or even break; Damaging your headlights in the process.
Bull Bar vs Grille Guard – Comparison Overview
Both bull bar and grille guard cover the front side of your vehicle and provide protection against hazards. They also add a unique style to your truck. But, which one is better for what, and what is the difference between the two?
Grille Guard
Grille guards provide complete front-end protection of your truck, especially if they include a brush guard for headlight protection. They alter the appearance of your truck entirely, providing a heavy-duty look to it. If you want complete protection and a beautifully designed grille guard, the Westin HDX grille guard is an excellent choice. An alternative would be the ARIES Pro Series, grille guard.
Bull Bar
Bull bars don’t completely cover the front of your truck; instead, they only protect the middle/center part of your vehicle. Bull bars are excellent for off-roading since they help you climb over rocks and slopes without damaging your truck. Instead of completely altering the appearance of your truck, a bull bar adds to the design, making your Tundra look more full. Rough Country’s LED bull bar is an excellent choice, but if you want something a bit different, the Topline Autopart or the Tyger Auto Star bull bars are great alternatives.
Rough Country LED Black Bull Bar
How to Install a Brush Guard
Installing a grille guard on your Toyota Tundra is a tad bit complicated, and it will require a few hours of your time.
Hardware required: Bolts and brackets included in the package, a cutting knife, a jack stand, a level, and a measuring tape.
The first step of the process requires you to cut a small hole where the bracket should go through. After that, it’s time to mount the brackets, and to do that, get under your truck and remove the two tow bolts. Add the bracket, and tighten one bolt somewhat loosely, so you’re able to align everything correctly. Once you do that on each side, a great way to make sure that they’re adequately aligned is to use a level. Once they’re aligned, tighten the bolts.
Right above the two tow bolts, there are three bolts with the top one loosened. That’s exactly where the top bracket goes, and once again, it should be tightened lightly. Do not tighten them completely before they’re connected to the guard.
The grille guard mounts on the bottom brackets first so that they’re properly aligned, and only then should you align the top brackets to the grille guards and bolt them on to the stabilizer bar. – You might need some help picking up the grille guard, mounting in on the bottom brackets, and bolting it in. You can also use a jack stand.
Once you’ve mounted the grille guard, you can use measuring tape from side to side and make sure that everything is centered. And once everything is centered, you have installed the grille guard on your Tundra!
For visual instructions, make sure to check out the video below!
Conclusion
Grille guards enhance your vehicle by offering protection and style for a reasonable price, making them a worthwhile investment. Now that you know which grille guards are the best for the Toyota Tundra, choose one that best suits your needs and if you ever get stuck refer back to us for help!
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People Also Ask
With so many choices of grille guards, purchasing the one that suits your needs, the best is complicated. Grille guards could also be troublesome to mount and install. To save you time researching, we answered the most common questions about grille guards. If we haven’t covered something, feel free to contact us for help!
How Much Does it Cost to Install a Grill Guard?
Installing a grille guard is a complicated process, especially if you have no experience doing it. You might also need to purchase additional parts, such as a mounting kit. However, you can do it yourself in a couple of hours and save some money, but if you want to avoid the trouble, a mechanic will charge you anywhere from $80 to $300, depending on how complicated the installation is.
Does a Grill Guard Reduce Gas Mileage?
Grill guard does not affect the fuel economy (much). You are putting on anywhere between 50lbs (25kg) to 100lbs (50kg) of additional weight on your truck. Therefore, your truck will require more fuel to pull the extra weight, but 100 pounds or so shouldn’t have much of an effect on gas mileage.
What is the Point af a Grille Guard?
A grille guard will protect the front-end side of your truck in case of a collision or unexpected road hazards. In fact, there have been studies that prove the usefulness of a grill guard. Grille guards will prevent damage to your truck in most cases.
Are Grille Guards Worth it?
Grille guards are definitely worth it. They provide you and your truck with many benefits! Next to the protection for your truck’s front-end, a grille guard will enhance your truck’s appearance. You can also install a light bar on a grille guard for better visibility.
How Much Does a Grille Guard Cost?
A grille guard may cost you anywhere between $200 to $1500. The price depends on the material, type, fitment, and quality. Stainless steel grille guards will cost a bit more. The same goes for grille guards that protect your headlights. And if you want the grille guard made for your exact vehicle, it’s worth paying a bit more.
Do Grill Guards Protect Against Deer?
Grill guards do protect your truck against deer. In fact, one of the most common uses for grille guards is protection against wildlife. High-quality grill guards will protect against deer no matter what, while lower quality grill guards might bend.
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