1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Grill Guards... Homemade Or Company?

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by ElkRiverMafia, Jul 19, 2019.

Tags:
  1. Jul 19, 2019
    ElkRiverMafia

    ElkRiverMafia New Member

    Alabama
    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2019
    Messages:
    4
    I have a 1965 CJ5 that has what looks like a homemade grill guard on the front. At first I wasn’t crazy about it but it has really grown on me. Not to mention it’s welded to the frame so it’s not like I can just take it off. That being said, my son and I were watching Smokey and the Bandit, and I noticed a Jeep in the film that has a very similar set up. It just has me curious if there was a company back in the 70s that made customized grill guards or is it just a coincidence? It’s crazy that I’ve seen this movie a million times and just now realized the bumper on this Jeep. Does anyone know anything about these? Anyone have a similar setup on their CJ? If so I would love to see some pics!

    Thanks!
    - Jake

    256D3BB9-B235-499E-9E3E-D3386DAB91D4.jpeg - Click to see more photos

    [​IMG]
    My 65 CJ5
    1D2A0093-C3FA-406B-872D-2C889EF71332.jpeg - Click to see more photos

    [​IMG]
    CJ from the film
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 7, 2020
  2. Jul 19, 2019
    Hellion

    Hellion Regurgitated

    Eastern TN
    Joined:
    Dec 25, 2016
    Messages:
    534
    Not sure but it reminds me of the massive grilles they put on semi's in Australia. More like cattle guards which is what they are.

    Show us more pics of your Jeep.
     
  3. Jul 19, 2019
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    "Roo Bars..." for high speed impacts with kangaroos.

    This reminds me of the brush-guards used by hunters in Texas and similar territory. Might have been a regional aftermarket supplier?
     
    Thean and Hellion like this.
  4. Jul 19, 2019
    TIm E

    TIm E Aggressively average

    NW Arkansas
    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2017
    Messages:
    683
    I'm not sure about the brush guards, but now you got me needing to watch Smokey and the Bandit again...likely followed by looking for Trans Ams on Craigslist :cool:
     
  5. Jul 19, 2019
    mike starck

    mike starck Member

    salem,oregon
    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2006
    Messages:
    762
    Grill guard on a '71 renegade II seen in east Oregon. This is a ranch jeep that probably benefited from the extra protection. Aftermarket item more than likely installed at dealership 1971 renegade and 2014 deer hunt 001.JPG
     
    Hellion and ElkRiverMafia like this.
  6. Jul 19, 2019
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Châtillon en...
    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2012
    Messages:
    2,327
    Something to push cattle probably... try it!
     
    Hellion likes this.
  7. Jul 19, 2019
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Châtillon en...
    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2012
    Messages:
    2,327
    Or to push trolleys in a factory, something industrial. But you don't need it.
     
  8. Jul 19, 2019
    ElkRiverMafia

    ElkRiverMafia New Member

    Alabama
    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2019
    Messages:
    4
    Haha even though I live next to a cattle farm that might be frowned upon!
     
    Alan28 likes this.
  9. Jul 19, 2019
    ElkRiverMafia

    ElkRiverMafia New Member

    Alabama
    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2019
    Messages:
    4
    Yeah that’s what I was wondering. Just never have seen anymore like it. Thanks for the reply!
     
  10. Jul 19, 2019
    ElkRiverMafia

    ElkRiverMafia New Member

    Alabama
    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2019
    Messages:
    4
    Hellion likes this.
  11. Jul 19, 2019
    mike starck

    mike starck Member

    salem,oregon
    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2006
    Messages:
    762
    They are useful for slow moving cows,deer,elk,horses,sage brush,tree limbs, etc. Only limited to the imagination. I think that one is cool.I would consider one on my renegade if I ever found one like that.
     
    Keys5a likes this.
  12. Jul 19, 2019
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Châtillon en...
    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2012
    Messages:
    2,327
    But, is it allowed to drive with this on open roads ?
     
  13. Jul 19, 2019
    mike starck

    mike starck Member

    salem,oregon
    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2006
    Messages:
    762
    Are you asking about the brush guard ? They are common item on trucks . Not kosher in your country?
     
  14. Jul 19, 2019
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Châtillon en...
    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2012
    Messages:
    2,327
    I believe that it is forbidden. the idea is to protect people walking.Years ago these safari protection against buffalos were in fashion. You cannot add anything except when agreed before. Probably same in US A.
     
  15. Jul 19, 2019
    mike starck

    mike starck Member

    salem,oregon
    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2006
    Messages:
    762
    NO not the same. No restriction on grill guards. I would rather hit a deer with the grill guard than have it come thru my windshield.
     
    Alan28 likes this.
  16. Jul 19, 2019
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    I used to do some work at a horse farm in NJ. The owner had an old CJ7 with a huge guard out front to protect it from horse kicks.
     
  17. Jul 23, 2019
    Dave B

    Dave B Frankenjeep '67

    Northern Minnesota
    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2009
    Messages:
    650
    Not like the OP, but works in the woods and brush of northern Minnesota. Also pushes pedestrians--lol. Homeshop-built on my CJ7.
    [​IMG]
     
    Bowbender and Hellion like this.
  18. Apr 6, 2020
    MOSDIF589

    MOSDIF589 New Member

    Atlanta, Ga.
    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2007
    Messages:
    30
    that’s the same thing I said... Got to rewatch..!!
     
  19. Apr 7, 2020
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2014
    Messages:
    4,170
    I'll bet your guard is a one-off fabrication that appears nicely done. The screenshot from Smokey and the Bandit is not the same with sharp square corners.
    Mike's photo (post#5) is the most likely guard to be commercially made, but is just as likely to be a well done home/shop fabrication.
    I have seen numerous Texas hunting Jeeps with similar grill guards.
    -Donny
     
  20. Apr 7, 2020
    Bigdaddy13

    Bigdaddy13 Member

    So.Cal
    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2019
    Messages:
    556
    Speaking of brush guards - I recently got into a situation where I was on a downhill on the lower part of our property, and the Jeep was disabled - not able to reverse out(100% user error...lol..Jeep was 100% functional, just not operated correctly).

    The front end of the Jeep actually started to get a bit too close for comfort to a bunch of pokey-sticks. Was worried about the radiator getting punched by a sharp branch. Some type of brush guard, either on the bumper or the grill itself (seed guard) would have been welcome.

    It was a good reminder that things happen fairly quickly off-road.
     
New Posts