Brush guard question

[HelluvaEngineer]

Why do I see so many of these trucks that have damage to the center lower piece of the brush guard, near the front license plate position? Is it related to how they were tied down / trailered when they were in service? I keep looking at mine and I want to fix it but I think I might just cut it off and weld in some square steel tubing since I don't think I can bend it back into shape.

 

[Rustyshackelford]

Here's one in my driveway

 

[ken]

When the move them with a forklift the HYD cylinder in the center of the mast hits them there. I have seen them shove trucks across the lot at FT Polk this way.

 

[The FLU farm]

When the move them with a forklift the HYD cylinder in the center of the mast hits them there. I have seen them shove trucks across the lot at FT Polk this way.

Those Fort Polk guys must be amateurs. The forklift drivers at the GP Texarkana lot can inflict real damage.

 

[cucvrus]

That and the fact that the rest of the brush guard is made out of some good steel. That front piece is just a thin piece of flat bar with no support. You can strentghen it up by adding a pice of angle to the back side. i done this on a few. Makes a nice place to mount lights or just give that area some strength.This was one I picked up along the road in my travels ($20.)and cut a few new pieces and added them to fit the new grille and headlamps. While there I added the angle to the center section. Huge improvement for strength.

 

[HelluvaEngineer]

As I would expect. Did you straighten the piece there or just cut it out and weld in a new piece of angle? I still don't have an oxy rig and even if I did I don't think I can get that piece straight again. However, I have a mig and I think a 1.25 square piece of tubing would look great there.

 

[cucvrus]

I clamped it and welded it as I went. I even bent the center piece that is below the headlamps. It had to match the original bend or I wasn't going to put it in. I used a press and bent it perfect.

 

[Tinstar]

View attachment 693740 Here's one in my driveway

Easy fix