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2020 Tundra TRD Pro Brush Guard suggestions

Discussion in '2.5 Gen TRD Pro (2014-2021)' started by Trebz, Aug 17, 2020.

  1. Aug 17, 2020 at 11:40 AM
    #1
    Trebz

    Trebz [OP] New Member

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    I have a 2020 Tundra TRD Pro, and I am looking for a brush guard mainly to protect from deer. We recently moved up to our cabin, and most evenings when I am driving to the next city, I see somewhere between 5-20 deer. I am not a huge fan of the look of brush guards, but after two very close calls in two weeks, I think it might be time to pull the trigger.

    That being said, I will need one that won't meet with the Toyota safety sense system in the grill. I realize that I can relocate it, but either way it needs to no block the sensors.

    Any 2020 TRD Pro owners happy with the functionality and look of their brush guards? I am really looking for something that looks like it was made for the TRD Pro, if that is possible.

    I saw a couple other threads, where there are some that can work, but I am hoping that a TRD Pro owner has found one that really fits the look and works with safety sense.
     
  2. Aug 19, 2020 at 7:41 AM
    #2
    2019-1794

    2019-1794 New Member

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    Can’t go wrong with a ranch hand brush guard or replacement bumper
     
  3. Aug 19, 2020 at 7:58 AM
    #3
    frichco228

    frichco228 Valued Member

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    For deer defense you will probably want a stout bumper replacement, something like the ARB bumper with brush guard. They absolutely rock and will outlast the truck, but are not cheap.

    Be aware, many of the brush guards only mount to the tow hook area and then another area up higher, not as solid as a bumper with guard. Those mounted that way can easily push back into the truck during a hit causing even more damage- which is what you are wanting to protect.
     
    AggiePhil, tye, Trebz[OP] and 3 others like this.
  4. Aug 19, 2020 at 8:03 AM
    #4
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff New Member

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    A normal brush guard will bend into the body of the truck if someone backs into it at 5mph. Unless you build a super strong frame reinforced bumper with some serious weight And angled to deflect the deer down and to the side, pretty hard to protect from a deer.
     
  5. Aug 19, 2020 at 8:03 AM
    #5
    shellshock

    shellshock Guy who drives a lot

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    Yup exactly this. A brush guard is going to crumple, a plate bumper will not.

    I haven’t put a bumper on my truck, I just run auxiliary lighting and so far that’s kept the deer away in the remote areas. Around here at least they see the sun coming toward them and get out of the way. I’ve been somewhat surprised.
     
  6. Aug 19, 2020 at 8:16 AM
    #6
    frichco228

    frichco228 Valued Member

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    ARB bumper, and yes it would protect a deer hit as well as anything possible. That and they look amazing.

    [​IMG]
     
    Mountun Goat likes this.
  7. Aug 19, 2020 at 8:45 AM
    #7
    mountainpete

    mountainpete Explore more

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    Function before sparkle.
    I don't have an ARB bumper on my Tundra but did have one on a Tacoma. ARB is one of the very few manufacturers that crash test and do R&D for animal strikes (primarily kangaroos). Yes, they are large and heavy, but they are stout.

    From personal experience their bumpers perform exactly as designed when hitting a deer: push the deer down and under the vehicle. I hit a doe at dusk travelling at about 60 mph. Other than deer hair/blood, the only damage to the truck was a cracked turn signal lens. The deer was killed instantly. I actually have it on dashcam video - it happens so fast and there is zero chance to react.

    Here is the aftermath of deer vs ARB (they sent me a new lens for free). I am 100% confident that without the bumper I would have been either towed home or maybe even had the deer in the windshield.

    image1.jpg image2.jpg image3.jpg
     
  8. Aug 19, 2020 at 8:49 AM
    #8
    mountainpete

    mountainpete Explore more

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    Function before sparkle.
    This is the current gen ARB bumper (works with Safety Sense):

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    avssuc, GarTX526, AggiePhil and 3 others like this.
  9. Aug 19, 2020 at 8:54 AM
    #9
    Hartsy8

    Hartsy8 Resident Hockey Guy

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    This looks like an old 80 or 100 series LC! I will jump on the ARB sentiments. I have read countless incidents of the bumper saving land cruisers on the other forum I am on. I won’t be putting one on the tundra but I will be looking into an ARB for my lx470. Unfortunately for me that also means upgrading the suspension :p
     
    Mountun Goat likes this.
  10. Aug 19, 2020 at 9:07 AM
    #10
    Mountun Goat

    Mountun Goat She baaaaaahd

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    My arb has taken a couple deer and coyotes. Still straight as the day it went on 12 years ago. Took a new coat of liner as it was surface rusted.

    36880105-2D1A-498B-97F6-4BD1D37EFC9E.jpg
     
  11. Aug 19, 2020 at 9:48 AM
    #11
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff New Member

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    Darn those ARB’s look good!
     
    Mountun Goat likes this.
  12. Aug 19, 2020 at 2:25 PM
    #12
    Trebz

    Trebz [OP] New Member

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    Damn, my budget just went up:). Thanks for the posts on this. The ARB setup looks great, and expensive. Glad to hear that everyone seems to love them.
     
    AggiePhil and Mountun Goat like this.
  13. Aug 19, 2020 at 3:47 PM
    #13
    jewsNbrews

    jewsNbrews SSEM #8 level 3, RGBA #5 lab tested lab approved

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    Not sure if it will work with the pros. The pros have the sensor below the Toyota emblem, right were that cross bar sits. Best to ask ARB specifically if it will work with the pros.
     
    avssuc and AggiePhil like this.
  14. Aug 19, 2020 at 5:41 PM
    #14
    tye

    tye New Member

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    A loud dual exhaust works better. Keeps them from jumping in front of your truck.
     
  15. Aug 19, 2020 at 6:24 PM
    #15
    platslvrblt19

    platslvrblt19 New Member

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    2019-1794[QUOTED] likes this.
  16. Aug 19, 2020 at 6:32 PM
    #16
    mountainpete

    mountainpete Explore more

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    Function before sparkle.
    You’re correct - best call ARB.
     
    jewsNbrews[QUOTED] likes this.
  17. Sep 17, 2020 at 1:56 PM
    #17
    Trebz

    Trebz [OP] New Member

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  18. Sep 17, 2020 at 3:06 PM
    #18
    GAknight

    GAknight New Member

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    Too many…scratch that…not done yet.
    Just as another option to consider; check out Southern Style Off-road, slim line bumper. not as robust and guarded as the ARB, but the bar is welded to the bumper.

    66139FF3-C552-4452-A550-DDAD7879F7B8.jpg
     
    PermaFrost and Trebz[OP] like this.
  19. Sep 17, 2020 at 3:06 PM
    #19
    CaptainGrumpus

    CaptainGrumpus The Mailman

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    Look at the Jomax bracket. There have been some complaints with the AJT ones not aligning the sensor enough to avoid any TSS errors.
     
    Trebz[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  20. Sep 26, 2020 at 10:13 PM
    #20
    Sgasp90

    Sgasp90 New Member

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    I put new bumpers and I think it turned out well

    DE98FC8E-1B34-44B5-9BF0-EC1FC32456A3.jpg
     
  21. Jan 29, 2021 at 6:18 AM
    #21
    Trebz

    Trebz [OP] New Member

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    Which one did you go with? Looks great!
     
  22. Jan 29, 2021 at 7:21 AM
    #22
    Sgasp90

    Sgasp90 New Member

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    I went with steel craft for front and back. Not as thick of metal as others but way more affordable and looks great. I think front and back costs me 1600 total and that’s lights included
     
    Trebz[OP] likes this.

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