[sean18mb]

Is there any advantage to a modular grille guard vs. a one piece grille guard?

Also, are any brands higher quality over another? I'm manily considering Manik or Smittybilt (for a 1997 4-door 4WD). Who else makes grille guards to fit this year/model? Thanks.

 

[Jeff]

Keep in mind that any grill guard for the Rav4 will offer little structural protection, because the vehicle is unibody and does not have a frame which a grille guard would bolt up to. Most of the grille guards like mine bolt onto the lower radiator support, and are for looks more than anything else.

I have the Westin Safari light bar in powder coated black, which cost about $140 if I remember correctly. I didn't care for a normal grill guard because I didn't want to add a lot of weight and shell out $500+, and all I really wanted was something to mount my lights on to instead of the bumper. I figured if the Westin bar got damaged, I would be out $140 versus $500, and it is low enough to the bumper so that it is less likely to damage the raditor if it got pushed in.

 

[sean18mb]

I suppose then a light duty snowplow is not an option either.