I have been trying to locate a grill guard for my Trooper but have been unsuccessful so far. I am trying to NOT spend $500.00 and perhaps take one for a different vehicle and modify it to fit my Trooper. So far I found a Manik for a '91-'94 Explorer. The only issue is that the mounts appear narrower and hit the skid plate.

Has anyone been able to modify a grill guard to work on their Trooper?

Check with Matt over Indy4x
http://www.independent4x.com

He built one for me from a template he made from a factory unit. He welded all the joints on mine instead of having them bolt on... He got it powder coated for me as well...
I don't remember the actual price, but it was more than reasonable and much less than any other store bought guard..
Mine is functional too... not just for show.

This is mine:

Ram offroad products brushguard/grillguard for 87-91 trooper. Ebay special:$175 However. i would suggest welding it to the frame instead of bolting it, because it took up my only good front tow point (hook wont fit now, im a bit concerned with that.) I think the guy who sold me the guard sent me the wrong headlight guards as well. The ones he sent me are too long for the sides. They jut out and down about 3 inches too far. Waiting for a replacement, or repair if he cant find the right parts.
-J <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Exactly how hard have you been looking? I only ask because I saw some for troopers in the latest cabelas ad, maybe the wrong year, as always I could be wrong.

Nick

Why do you want a brush guard? Do you have any long term plans of installing a winch or custom bumper? If so I wouldn't waste the money, they do nothing but deflect baby saplings that wouldn't hurt your truck anyway.

I had one on my 92 pup when I bought it and after wheeling a few times it got caught on things and smashed taillights etc. I hit a little tree once and the thing bent so I couldn't open the hood. In my opinon they are a waste of money and most of them out there are built from cheap tubing. They also rust quickly because of the cheap metal.

I agree about "most" of them out there.
But, the one that Matt built me is pretty healthy.
It mounts to the bumper at the frame horns, so it's pushing against the frame horns, not just the bumper and he made it out of 1/4 steel plate. I'm not sure what wall thickness he made the tubes out of, but it doesn't really matter because the tubes are there for lateral support, not pushing support. The tubes sit behind the main frame sides and that's what you use to push with. I didn't have Matt put the headlight guards on mine... I just have the center push-bar guard. I had him add a couple of extra light tabs on so I can have some good KC's and some fog lights both.
Matt's brush guards are far from 'average' and he corrision treated it and then powder coated it...
It's been on for about 2 1/2 years now and no signs of rust at all.

I wasn't really concerned about mine being functional.
I think the 1st gen Troopers really look good with a brush guard... and that's the reason that I had Matt make one. However, he built it so that it's fully functional. I've used it several times and it has shown no signs of bending or giving at all.

There is one listed on ebay right now grill guard

Thanks for the info! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

You know that one's for the '86-'89 model? Is there a difference between that and the 90'-91' models?

No difference at the body/frame level.