Brush Guard, watchu tink?

[scrap--metal]

Can you use a Rivnut?...I think that's what they are called. It's like a pop rivet, but it has threads...

@Turbo4whl 's suggestion looks like the original mounting design. I think it's be safest to replace the rotten cage nuts once I get some measurements.

 

[AyWoSch Motors]

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Does anyone know where I can find some captive nuts/threaded clips to use with these square mounting spots?

The threaded clip behind there now spins and looks to be busted, which surely motivated the torch removal.

There's no way to get a carriage bolt behind it, even if the rubber bumper were removed from the front, and I think there has to be a better way than welding some nuts inside. Right?

You could cut a slot in the metal with a cutoff wheel, so you can slide a new carriage bolt down.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

There should be a hole directly behind it where you can pull off the rubber strip and put in a new one.

 

[AyWoSch Motors]

^^^^
Yeah, on the factory Chevy bumper guards (bumper tusks), if you remove the rubber strip, theres an access hole. Maybe yours is the same?

 

[Rusty Nail]

*bumper thingys, noob.

That's what we call em 'round here.
Mmmmhmmmm

 

[scrap--metal]

^^^^
Yeah, on the factory Chevy bumper guards (bumper tusks), if you remove the rubber strip, theres an access hole. Maybe yours is the same?

Unfortunately, there aren't any holes behind the bumper thingys on this design. I did specifically check for 'em.

Gonna get me some cage nuts.

 

[scrap--metal]

I found and ordered some cage nuts from Grainger on Monday, and picked them up yesterday over my lunch break. I couldn't find any designed to accommodate the ~0.2" plate, but I got some that were close and tweaked the steel cages by hand (pliers). That was much simpler than getting the old cage nuts and torched bolts out. There's limited clearance between the cage nut and the steel behind it, which made it a PITA. This also means proper mounting bolt length will be important on the top bolts.

It's ready to go on now whenever I can make time to mess with it again, or I have to cut the grate out. I still haven't decided on that.

Pix...
Cleaned out the old hardware

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Cage nut comparison before and after reshaping the cage a bit. I got a little better hook/grab on the cage by bending it to final shape while it was in the brush guard.

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Ready to go.

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[Rusty Nail]

No way in hell would I cut the grate out.....it'll be interesting to see what you decide. Are you aiming to modify if before mounting?


No before and after pix?

 

[scrap--metal]

No way in hell would I cut the grate out.....it'll be interesting to see what you decide. Are you aiming to modify if before mounting?


No before and after pix?

Easy big fella'! I ain't got it on the truck yet. I'll post before/after pics of the truck when I get there. I went fishing last night and didn't have time to mess with it.

I think I'm going to change focus to my windshield this weekend while I stew on the grate decision. To cut the grate out nicely, I'd have to do it off the truck to have good access to the welds. There's only four small welds on each side grate, and six small welds on the center grate. Maybe I should mount it and then decide? It's just a little more messing around, right?

Why you like the grate so much? Can't cook on it or shred cheese with it... Maybe I'll make a poll for the brothers to speak their minds.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Bigger rocks, sticks and tweety bird/pheasant protection. If you're into that sorta stuff lol

 

[scrap--metal]

Bigger rocks, sticks and tweety bird/pheasant protection. If you're into that sorta stuff lol

I can dig that, but the grills in my truck are not in great shape as it is.

I thought all MN pheasants had migrated to the Dakotas until I had a hen fly across the road in front of me last weekend. It was the first time that's happened in a LONG time.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

I can dig that, but the grills in my truck are not in great shape as it is.

I thought all MN pheasants had migrated to the Dakotas until I had a hen fly across the road in front of me last weekend. It was the first time that's happened in a LONG time.

They're definitely up in numbers here lol.

 

[67ventwindow]

After reading your post I picked up one myself. The bolt holes line in the bumper, I want to keep the grate and see if everything lines up well. Then I think about a repaint.

 

[scrap--metal]

I got the brush guard mounted over the winter, and finally got the truck outside for a picture. It was certainly worth the modest investment.

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[Rusty Nail]

Looks good, thanks for the update.