Some Input on Roll Bars (show bars), brush guards and bug deflectors

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chaosrob

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I have done a bit of searching (maybe in the wrong place) and have really not found anything that strikes my fancy.

I am looking for a quality roll bar for my 87 fleet side swb truck. I will most likely mount some lights to it and would prefer something that wont have rust streaks the first year.

I am also looking for a old school brush guard to mount a couple lights to as well as a somewhat formed bug deflector for the hood. The only current bug deflectors I have found are sadly lacking in any style, they may as well be a bill board. TIA
 

PrairieDrifter

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The only way you’re going to find brush guards/push bars and bug deflectors is to find the vintage stuff, parts trucks, local buy and sell websites. There’s no new production stuff that I’m aware of, as well as a lot of people. I’m not sure about rollbars as I’ve never looked into any
 

shiftpro

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I just built an old school style of brush guard. Any decent fabricator can make one for you, but be prepared to pay $3-500 for it.
He can build strong too, not like the fake lightweight show only style, with thin chrome that rusts in a few days anyway.
 

chaosrob

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I can fabricate and weld, I make gun barrels for a living, time is my enemy though as I just do not have time to keep up with business and my cars/trucks.

I may put an ad here in the classifieds and try that, if that doesn't work then I may just have to break down and build them. Thank you very much for the replies
 

chaosrob

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would you care to share pictures of your project?
I just built an old school style of brush guard. Any decent fabricator can make one for you, but be prepared to pay $3-500 for it.
He can build strong too, not like the fake lightweight show only style, with thin chrome that rusts in a few days anyway.
 

PrairieDrifter

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I can fabricate and weld, I make gun barrels for a living, time is my enemy though as I just do not have time to keep up with business and my cars/trucks.

I may put an ad here in the classifieds and try that, if that doesn't work then I may just have to break down and build them. Thank you very much for the replies

If you can find a buddy with the one you want you can just replicate it or have someone do it. I’m gonna take my pushbar and have some plate cut to match the uprights then just get some heavy tubing and do some welding and you’re done. I was lucky enough to score a vintage pushbar. I also have a lead on one of those farm truck style brush guards, just flat steel and expanded metal really.
 

shiftpro

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If you can find a buddy with the one you want you can just replicate it or have someone do it. I’m gonna take my pushbar and have some plate cut to match the uprights then just get some heavy tubing and do some welding and you’re done. I was lucky enough to score a vintage pushbar. I also have a lead on one of those farm truck style brush guards, just flat steel and expanded metal really.
Can see it on your avatar..
 

shiftpro

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would you care to share pictures of your project?
I would be happy to, but have to grab a shot from buddy's van('92 GM). Front bumper profile is almost the same as
our square's.
 

Craig 85

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First was my '79. I found a NOS Smittybilt brush guard for a J-20 truck. The second was on my '87. It was a Go Rhino unit. Third on my'77 was a cut down brush guard. I think it was a Hickey.

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Blue Ox

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Get friendly with a welder/fabricator. By the time I did this project I wasn't happy with what the aftermarket was still offering so I designed my own.

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dvdswan

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Yep, best bet is to locate them is at a junkyard or local buy/sell site.
 

PrairieDrifter

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The one on my suburban is for the 70’s style bumper, but I have the 80’s style and it works decent. I’m gonna swap to a 70’s front bumper anyways. Not sure what brand this pushbar is but I absolutely scored, I got it for 15 bucks along with a straight original bumper that was free.

Then on my 79 it’s a “Mr. Pickup” brand brush guard, I haven’t seen many of this style floating around though. I mean same goes for all the other pushbars and brush guards.

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Paladin

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Here's some pics of one I fabricated for my dually after a deer took out my suburban at 75 MPH dead center, thought I had better protect the squarebody! A rhino ain't getting to that radiator now. Cut holes in the 2 3/8" uprights and the crossbars go through the pipe instead of just welded to them and it's bolted straight to the frame. Still got some finish work to do to it but it will serve the purpose for now.
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dvdswan

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I picked up the pushbar from a member on line and the rollbar from a local junkyard.
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