95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

Does The Weight Of A Grill Guard Reduce Tread Life?

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Old 01-02-2005 | 08:27 AM
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Vato Loco's Avatar
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From: Hamilton, ON
Does The Weight Of A Grill Guard Reduce Tread Life?

Looks like I'm going to have to replace my tires at only about 20-30k. (thats in kilometres!) I bought these 2 years ago, I have never had to buy 2 sets of tires for one vehicle. So do you think the grill guard, would cause this premature wear? The tires were rotated on a regular basis, there's no camber wear, I haven't been doing burnouts or anything stupid like that. The tread wear on all tires are all even. :S I'm pretty much stumped whether or not I should I sell my Manik Grill guard.

February 29, 2004, A couple of days before the grill guard was installed


Monday, October 04, 2004, just over 6 months after it is installed


A lot of tread is gone for 6 months...

Last edited by Vato Loco; 01-02-2005 at 08:40 AM.
Old 01-02-2005 | 08:37 AM
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Looks to here like the outside edge of the tread is worn more than the center...is that true when you look at them? If so, could be underinflated chronically, or the toe-in on your alignment could be out of adjustment. Incidentally, NO, the weight of a grille guard isn't going to measurably affect your tread life. Not at all. How are the back tires?
Old 01-02-2005 | 08:50 AM
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Shouldn't have that much effect.
Old 01-02-2005 | 09:09 AM
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It should have no effect. at least nothing like what you are experiencing. I would check your air pressure. That looks like the culprit
Old 01-02-2005 | 09:29 AM
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There is no way the weight of your grill guard could be responsible for the premature wear. I think you are looking at an alignment or air pressure problem.
Old 01-02-2005 | 09:43 AM
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What are your tires inflated too? I agree with evryone else. Inflation is probably the culprit.
Old 01-02-2005 | 01:06 PM
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I have the manik grille guard on my truck also with over 45k when first installed-- no signs of tread wear on my tires--I rotate regularly as you do--- must agree with everyone else-- underinflated tires or just bad alignment... have both checked out... BFG tires are great-- I have the same ones you are using on my wifes RAV4 with over 50k and a pretty good decent amount of tread life left...
Old 01-02-2005 | 01:14 PM
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Have a WAAG on my and went over 80K miles on my first set of tires. You could have a toe-in/out problem or a camber problem. Just my 2 cents.
Old 01-02-2005 | 01:23 PM
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ive owned my runner since oct '03, it has had a grille guard from day one. when i bought it, the tires were pretty much dead, and the dealer threw on the dulop radial rover a/t's i have now. treadlife has been great (little to no wear), and there is no need to change my tires whatsoever almost 20K later.

i dont think the guard is the culprit.
Old 01-02-2005 | 02:17 PM
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I've got a pretty heavy bush bar and winch off the front of my tacoma and I got just over 90,000KM out of my last set of tires - sounds like premature wear to me.

Masato
Old 01-02-2005 | 03:03 PM
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I had the tires for about 6months right before I put the grill guard on, with regular rotation and etc, it had no sign of wear until I put the grill guard. If anybody's interested in a 96-98 Manik Grill Guard just let me know. Thanks for all your inputs.
Old 01-03-2005 | 05:49 PM
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Originally Posted by firemedic
Shouldn't have that much effect.
nice patch, what years were you there? I was at ONE from 90 to 02.
VR
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Old 01-03-2005 | 05:59 PM
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Originally Posted by hilandfrog
nice patch, what years were you there? I was at ONE from 90 to 02.
VR
Repo

Huh...
Old 01-03-2005 | 06:11 PM
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hes referring to his avatar.
Old 01-03-2005 | 06:16 PM
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Originally Posted by lee
hes referring to his avatar.

oh ok My bad...
Old 01-03-2005 | 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by hilandfrog
nice patch, what years were you there? I was at ONE from 90 to 02.
VR
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Well who the hell are you? I was at One from 94-98. Foxtrot in 96, Bravo in 97.
EDIT: I wasn't a pecker checker back then...
Chris Forrest (ST-1 same time as me) is in Montana now too.

Last edited by firemedic; 01-03-2005 at 08:05 PM.
Old 01-03-2005 | 09:02 PM
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I'm repo, I got to ONE Apr. 90, Stationed Key West 96, back at 0NE 00 Then tradet, who the hell are you. I don't know chris but always nice to have a fellow toad around the hood.
Repo
Old 01-03-2005 | 09:10 PM
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a grille guard will add more weight to the front end... however that should have no effect on the tires as long as they arent overlaoded.. im i am sure no tire is going to get overloaded on a stock vehicle thats got maybe 100 extra pounds on it... its most likely mroe a tire issue or crappy tires....
Old 01-03-2005 | 09:11 PM
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also looking at the type of tires you have... that mileage is on par with what those tires perform at
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