Your truck’s front end is most often its most vulnerable spot. Beyond run-of-the-mill road gunk, you’ve got to worry about deer, debris, and of course other drivers. Keeping your bumper, grille, and headlights free from damage should be one of your top priorities, and there’s no better way to get the job done than with a sturdy and stylish bull bar or grille guard.
However, finding the right brush guard for your purposes is not the easiest task. With tons of styles, materials, and finishes to choose from, it can be overwhelming at first to try and find the perfect grille guard or bull bar for your vehicle. At Auto Accessories Garage, we have plenty of industry experience and customer reviews to pull from. That’s why we figured it would be a great idea to tell you a handful of recommendations to help you on your way. Read the reviews and take a look at the Top Ten Best Bull Bars, Brush Guards, and Grille Guards of 2023:
The Best Bull Bar, Brush Guard, and Grille Guard
Fortifying the front of your truck, Jeep, or SUV is as easy as adding a Steelcraft Grille Guard. This heavy-duty, one-piece protector includes pre-drilled holes for any auxiliary lights you choose to add in the future. Available in a rugged Black Powder Coat finish or a Polished Stainless Steel finish, it’s easy to find a version of this grille guard to match any existing accessories on your rig.
Brent S who drives a Dodge pickup truck says:
Wow! A quality made USA product; and affordable! All the parts were there and a new concept was introduced; install instructions for the actual model of the truck! Awesome!
Read More Steelcraft Grille Guard Reviews
With an included 20” LED light bar, the Trident Maverick LED Bull Bar brings not only strength and protection but illumination to your front end. No drilling or cutting is required for installation and all of the necessary hardware is included as well as a wiring harness to easily wire up the lights. With an LED light bar and a bull bar, you’ll be able to light up the off-road trails after dark.
Darryl S who drives a Ford pickup truck says:
I'm pleased with the Trident Maverick LED Bull Bar. It is certainly as heavy duty as I expected and fit perfectly on my F150. Thank guys!
Read More Trident Maverick LED Bull Bar Reviews
Smooth, steel, and stylish, the Dee Zee Bull Bar should check all the boxes on your wish list. This three inch, 18-gauge, mandrel-built Stainless Steel tubing will be right at home on any heavy-duty pickup truck. A skid plate is included, but totally removable if that’s not your style – and you can always just save it for when you know you’ll be off-roading.
Daniel T who drives a Dodge pickup truck says:
I sprung for the polished stainless steel because I knew it would match my other stainless components and it looks great! Plus the polished has the Limited Lifetime Warranty on it so you can’t lose.
Read More Dee Zee Bull Bar Reviews
Your truck has a ton of get-up and go, and so does the Texas-based team at Go Industries. Their grille guard, the Go Industries Rancher Grille Guard will definitely feel right at home out on the open range. A front latter step will even give you some leverage to climb up and get a better look under your hood. Yee-haw, cowboy!
James E who drives a Chevrolet pickup truck says:
Very fast shipping, the grill was well packed and install was easy. Put it on myself using a floor jack to lift to bumper to allen holes for bolts. Looks great on my 2010 3500 HD truck.
Read More Go Industries Rancher Grille Guard Reviews
It’s not every day you’ll find great looks and great protection in one package, but today is one of those days. Available not only for trucks but a wide array of SUVs as well, the Westin Ultimate Bull Bar boasts a vehicle-specific custom fit that will complement the curves and contours of your truck exactly. A laser-inscribed skid plate sits pretty up front.
Chris J who drives a Jeep compact SUV says:
This bull bar was easy to install and only took about 45 minutes to complete the project. It looks good, and I got the best price I could find at this website.
Read More Westin Ultimate Bull Bar Reviews
Like the horns of a mighty bull, the Aries Bull Bar brings a strong and tough look to your wild best of a truck. Available in a Black or Stainless Steel finish, this bull bar is available in a burly three inch tube, or for some vehicles, an extra-burly four inch “Big Horn” tube. All installation and hardware is included as well as a Lifetime Warranty.
Vince B. who drives a Toyota pickup truck says:
Very nice construction and provides great protection to the front of my Tacoma. Installation was pretty easy and really gives my truck the look I was going for.
Read More Aries Bull Bar Reviews
For the true renegades and rebels in the world, the Trident Outlaw Grille Guard is the front-end protection for you. Designed for a vehicle-specific fit, this grille guard will go on with no drilling required. A heavy-duty one-piece construction is not only strong, but a rubber stripped backing will prevent this grille guard from scratching your finish.
David C who drives a Nissan pickup truck says:
Very happy with this grille guard. It was easy to put on and it elevates the look and feel of my entire vehicle.
Read More Trident Outlaw Grille Guard Reviews
The Luverne Prowler Max Grille Guard doesn’t skimp when it comes to coverage and protection. This durable, diamond-treaded grille guard is built from one solid piece of welded steel for ultimate durability. This grille guard is also available in your choice of a gloss black or polished stainless finish and each one is proudly manufactured in the USA.
Stephen W who drives a Dodge Ram 2500 says:
The look is very good. I chose this style because I like the 90 degree bends in the grill giving it a more squared off imposing look. I do not like how other manufacturers go for a flared look around the headlights. I just wanted a big bulky grille, and this is the one!
Read More Luverne Prowler Max Grille Guard Reviews
Custom designed to hug the front-end of your vehicle and install with no drilling required, the Aries Grille Guard is also a sturdy, on-piece welded design on most models. Pre-drilled auxiliary holes will also allow you to mount auxiliary light in the future if you so choose. This guard is available in your choice of a black or polished steel finish.
Tom C. who drives a Dodge pickup truck says:
This guard kicks butt! Take all the advantages of the Aries Bull Bar and add protection for your headlights and now youre in business. I received my order in 3 days, great job guys!
Read More Aries Grille Guard Reviews
Style and sophistication blend together in the Trident Maverick Bull Bar. Available for a wide variety of trucks and SUVs this sturdy shield will install with no drilling required on most applications. Available finished included polished stainless steel and a rugged black powder coat. This bull bar is also 3" thick for serious protection.
Bryan W who drives a Chevy pickup truck says:
I have no mechanical skills what so ever but my truck looks great.
Read More Trident Maverick Bull Bar Reviews
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Bull Bars & Grille Guards Buying Guide
Bolting on a Bull Bar or Grille Guard is the way to instantly toughen up your truck or SUV, both in looks and in durability. These protectors provide a durable shield against road borne hazards and strengthen your front end in the event of light impacts. Plus, Bull Bars and Grille Guards for trucks and SUVs enhance your style and give your vehicle a commanding presence on the road.
We offer a full line of Grille Guards and Bumper Protectors for a wide variety of vehicles. Read on and check out the different styles out there and learn out how to find the best SUV and Truck Grille Guards for your vehicle.
What Do Bull Bars & Grille Guards Do?
You've most likely seen plenty of trucks and SUVs on the road with big burly bars covering their headlights, bumpers and grilles. Why are so many 4x4 drivers bolting on these Grille Guards and Bull Bars?
Protect Your Front End
Whether you're an off-road fanatic, a contractor, or a daily commuter, your truck or SUV takes a lot of abuse. Kicked-up rocks, tree branches, and stray shopping carts all threaten your pristine headlights, grille, and bumper. Before long, even a brand-new truck will start to look beat-up and haggard.
Grille Guards and Bull Bars act like a football player's face mask for your truck's front end. They sit in front of your grille to absorb impacts from rocks and debris, and they can even be used to push other vehicles at low speeds. Most Grille Guards also include side sections that wrap around your headlights to block flying objects and prevent cracked lenses.
Every piece, from the thick-wall steel tubing to the center uprights, is crafted from heavy-duty steel for maximum strength and impact resistance. Plus, our Grille Guards and Bull Bars bolt directly onto your frame for unbeatable rigidity.
Grille Guards & Bull Bars Toughen Up Your Style
Naturally, you don't bolt anything to your truck that doesn't look like it means business. That's not a problem with our front-end gear. When you equip your truck with a Westin Grille Guard or an Aries Bull Bar, you add a whole new aggressive off-road attitude to your vehicle's face. The unmistakable look of a Go Rhino gives your truck a commanding presence on the road. If you want a more low-key look for your SUV, models like the Romik Bull Bar provide front-end protection and a sleek Euro-inspired design. Plus, most of our front-end protectors are available in both Polished Stainless Steel and Black Powder Coat finishes, so you can achieve the look you want and match your other accessories like nerf bars and bed rails.
Mounting Off-Road Lights & Accessories
Bull Bars and Grille Guards outfit your truck with style and strength, but that's not all. They also make a great place to mount some extra accessories. Most of our Grille Guards are pre-drilled so you can easily bolt on a set of auxiliary off-road lights. Bull Bars like the Westin Safari Light Bar are specially designed with light tabs for easy mounting.
If you want the front-end protection of a Grille Guard and need a heavy-duty winch for your recovery and pulling needs, you can get them both with the Go Rhino Winch Mount Guard. This Grille Guard features a built-in winch mounting plate that accommodates most popular winches rated up to 9,500 pounds, all without having to do any modifications.
It's Easy To Install Bull Bars & Grille Guards
Most of our Grille Guards are easy to install. Each one is custom-designed to your exact year, make, and model truck or SUV for a perfect fit. They're even designed to mount to existing holes in your frame, so you can bolt your Bull Bar directly to your vehicle without any drilling, cutting, or welding.
Grille Guard & Bull Bar Styles
There are several different ways you can shield your front and and enhance your vehicle's rugged style. Let's take a look at the different styles of Bull Bars & Grille Guards out there.
Full Grille Guards
Full guards, like the Go Industries Rancher Grille Guard and the Dee Zee Euro Grille Guard, feature a pair of center uprights that mount to your frame, as well as side brush guards that wrap around and cover your headlights. These heavy-duty grille guards offer the most front-end protection for your truck or SUV, whether you're tearing up the trails or just cruising around town. Because the brush guards curve around your lights, they provide extra protection from side impacts as well as front-end hazards. The Go Rhino 3000 Series Grille Guard comes with the option to select the grille and headlight brushguards or just the grille guard only.
Center Grille Guards
Some truckers want rugged front protection without the dominating wrap-around look of a full guard. Center Grille Guards fulfill this need by utilizing the same tough middle upright design without the side brush guards. The Go Industries Knockdown Grille Guard comes as a center-only guard, but you can add and remove optional headlight guards any time you want to change up your style.
Bull Bars
Bull Bars provide a more subtle stylistic touch while guarding your front end. They protect your bumper and the lower section of your grille from rocks and curbs without covering up your whole grille and headlights. Bars like the Steelcraft Bull Bars are crafted from the same burly steel tubing as full-on Grille Guards, and they're often equipped with tabs or pre-drilled holes to mount off-road fog lights and driving lights.
Bull Bar Skid Plates
Many of our Bull Bars are available with or without skid plates. These plates are built from tough steel sheet metal and are bolted or welded to the bottom of your bull bar. Skid plates may be removable on some models like Aries Bull Bars or they can be permanently mounted, such as on the Westin Bull Bar. These plates shield your bumper agsint the pebbles and debris that get kicked up by the cars in front of you. They also add extra protection against big rocks, curbs, and tall parking barriers to keep your bumper looking pristine.
Rear Bumper Guards
Don't forget to cover the back of your vehicle, too. Your rear bumper takes a lot of abuse from other drivers, not to mention botched parallel parking jobs you'd rather not talk about. Rather than shell out for a new paint job or a replacement bumper, keep it shielded with a Rear Bumper Guard. The Romik Rear Bumper Guard is built from tough stainless steel tube and is custom-designed to your exact vehicle for a perfect fit and rugged protection from impacts.
How To Choose The Best Grille Guard For Your Truck
With all the different kinds of Bull Bars and Grille Guards out there, how do you find the right one for your needs? Here are a few things to consider when making sure you're purchasing the best Grille Guard for your truck or SUV.
Front-End Coverage
Safety Tip: Grille Guards protect your front end from debris and minor impacts, but they do not make your vehicle any more safe in the event of a high-speed collision. Your airbags will still function normally, however.How much protection do you need from front-end debris and impacts? If your driving habits typically involve just getting around the neighborhood, you could get by just fine with the simple protection of a Steelcraft Bull Bar or an Aries Bull Bar.
If you frequently take your vehicle off-road or often face of rugged conditions like construction sites and farms, you would benefit from the full-frontal protection of a complete Grille Guard. The Aries Grille Guard and Ranch Hand Brush Guard provide durable protection from impacts and scratches, whether you spend your time climbing boulders or climbing ladders.
Accessories
When shopping for a Brush Guard or Bull Bar, keep in mind any other accessories you'd like to use on your truck. Do you need a sturdy place to mount your winch? If so, choose a Go Rhino Grille Guard with a sturdy winch plate. Most of our Bull Bars and Grille Guards, including the Westin E-Series Bull Bar and Romik Bull Bars, come with pre-drilled holes or tabs to mount a set of off-road lights front and center.
Style
Like anything you bolt onto your truck, you have to make sure it looks as good as it performs. No matter your stylistic tastes, we have a Bull Bar or Grille Guard for you. If you're looking for bumper protection with a more understated visual accent, choose a less-imposing bull bar like the Aries Sport Bar. For a tougher off-road look, go with the more commanding full-size Dee Zee Grille Guard.
You also have options when it comes to finishes. Whether you go for a subtle Westin Ultimate Bar or a full-blown Go Rhino Grille Guard, most models are available in both Black Powder Coat and Polished Stainless finishes. Both finishes are designed to match your other factory and aftermarket exterior accessories, so you can maintain the blinged-up or blacked-out look you crave.
Your truck looks good, but it could look better. Tougher. Harder. Grille guards and bull bars bring a rugged look to any vehicle while simultaneously keeping surface-damaging annoyances at bay. As you go about the process of researching these vehicle additions, please consult the following common customer questions, and their answers. Your truck deserves a tougher look and extra protection; together, we can give it both.
Bull Bars & Grille Guards Frequently Asked Questions
Bull Bars & Grille Guards FAQS Answers
What is a grille guard (or brush guard)?
A grille guard protects your vehicle's front end from scrapes and grille detail damage caused by high grass, rocks, and various other degrading elements that can be kicked up by other vehicles. These products, a sort of durable fence for a truck or SUV's front end, also add a desirably rugged look.
How does a grill guard mount to a vehicle?
A grille guard uses factory mounting positions located below the front bumper, bolting on easily with no cutting or drilling required. A bull bar or grille guard is custom-designed for a particular vehicle, meaning that not only will they match up specifically with factory mounting positions, they will also fit precisely to a vehicle's front end. Use Auto Accessories Garage's handy "Choose Your Vehicle" identifier to pick your exact year, make, and model truck, and all grill guards and bull bars available to fit that vehicle will be displayed on our "Bull Bars" or "Grille Guards" product pages.
How are grille guards, bull bars, and brush guards different?
By the original definition, a grille guard and a brush guard are the same thing. As the story goes, the original designers created grille guards to prevent front-end scratching caused by driving through high brush, hence the synonym "truck brush guard". In recent years, however, the term "brush guard" has been repurposed to apply to the headlight-covering portion of the larger grille guard.
A bull bar is something else entirely. The term "bull bar" refers to a single metal bar that protects your bumper and grille details without dominating focus in the way a grille guard can. They will also routinely (though not always) come atop a skid plate to further protect your front end, and they usually feature light mounts. Whereas the grille guard offers full frontal protection, a bull bar is more focused on protecting one particular area, with no headlight coverage.
Can I use tow hooks in tandem with a grille guard?
Yes, tow hooks can be used with grille guards. The custom design of grille guards allows for maximum functionality with your existing system. Factory equipment will be accounted for, and so most of our grille guards allow for the use of tow hooks. One caveat: due to their strength, sometimes tow hooks act as the mount for bull bars and grille guards. In these instances, manufacturers will often include new tow hooks for use with their guards.
Is it difficult to add lights to a grille guard?
Nearly every grille guard features pre-drilled holes or tabs to accommodate the addition of fog, driving, and off-road auxiliary lights. Be sure to check the product descriptions of each individual product to ensure it possesses the features you need. If you have any further questions, please feel free to call our helpful Customer Service staff.
Will a grille guard or bull bar affect air bag deployment?
Most airbags are triggered when sensors notice abrupt forward deceleration of approximately 50 Gs. These sensors are generally located under the hood, so it stands to reason that they will be unaffected by grille guard or bull bar installation. That said, there is no conclusive data regarding how these products affect air bag deployment. It's important to read the manufacturer's instructions prior to installation for any definitive statements regarding sensor location and potential interference.
Will a bull bar or grille bar protect my vehicle in an accident?
In a low-speed, low-impact crash, a grille guard or bull bar will modestly protect your front end bumpers, lights, and grille details from damage. In some cases, a brush guard for jeeps and other vehicles can even push a sedentary object for a short distance at a low speed (though this could scratch or mark your guard's finish). Bull bars, especially those with skid plates, can provide solid protection for a vehicle's lower front bumper in low-speed collisions.
In a high-speed, high-impact crash, on the other hand, these products will be crushed back into your grille, possibly increasing damage costs. The point of these products is not to allow you to drive around slamming into things, nor to feel impervious to the laws of physics and nature. They are designed to look tough and protect your vehicle from glancing damage. Your rig will not become a battering ram, no matter how big and bad a grille guard or bull bar makes it look.
Will a grille guard protect my vehicle in a collision with an animal?
Studies have shown that a grill guard can prevent major structural damage depending on the speed traveled and a particular animal's size (for instance, one normal-sized deer struck at a moderate rate of speed). In such unfortunate circumstances, certain protection gains can be found. It's important to note that larger animals (such as moose, buffalo, or elk) will do serious damage to any vehicle, regardless of aftermarket modifications. Even with a bull bar or grille guard, keep your eyes peeled whenever these animals may be present where you drive.
The Brush Guard Installation Process
Installing a grille guard or bull bar generally doesn't take too long, and in many cases you don't need to do much if any drilling or modifying. Before you begin the installation, be sure to read the manufacturer's included instructions. Yes, we know, you're "too cool" for that, but seriously - you could miss an important step if you don't read them carefully, and you wouldn't want to ruin your truck that way, would you?
Anyway, the typicall grille guard installation process is as follows:
- Examine your grille guard's packaging and make sure you have every part listed in the installation instructions.
- Bolt the bottom brackets onto the grille guard, only keeping them hand-tight.
- Hold the grille guard over the center of the bumper while a partner marks where the brackets are on your bumper or bumper cover.
- Using a cutting wheel and die grinder, cut away the marked plastic. Test the guard's fit and trim more as necessary.
- If your frame does not have factory-drilled mounting holes, mark and drill out the bolt holes and install the nuts.
- Bolt the top mounting brackets to your radiator's core support, through your grille. Hand-tighten each bolt.
- Once everything is lined up and in place, wrench all the bolts in place.
Final Thoughts
Bull Bars and Grille Guards for trucks and SUVs are essential for enhancing your vehicle's looks and durability. We hope this Research Guide helps you make the right decision when shopping for a Grille Guard. If you have any questions or suggestions about the information in this guide, feel free to call our experienced Customer Service staff at 800-663-1570.
