NorthGeorgia
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Not sure I'm calling it correct. This vehicle being larger than what I had prior I'm noticing a lot of bug 'splats' on windshield. Do the 'bug deflectors' one installs on the front of vehicle work?
Bug Deflector
- Thread starter NorthGeorgia
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Muddy Bean
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Interesting question because I'm working on this myself too. I have often wondered if they really did create any sort of wind draft that reduced the number of bugs hitting the windshield. I just installed some 3M paint protection film along the front of the hood yesterday to protect it. But it didn't turn out quite like I wanted to do I'm thinking of getting a deflector as well to protect the hood if nothing else.
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Big Brian
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I have one they work especially for protecting the front edge of the hood
you still get some bugs but it does help
you still get some bugs but it does help
JExpedition07
That One Member
Brian do you have chrome or black? I want one but can’t decide which I like better. The chrome is a little north of 100 bucks and the weather tech smoke is 59 bucks. If I do a chrome deflector I feel I should buy the top half chrome mirror caps too. The Weather Tech kne says it’s just a 3M adhesive which I like because I don’t want to drill holes in the hood. Not sure on the chrome.
ExpeditionAndy
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This one from Auto Anything is 107.99 and it installs with screws in the existing screw holes on the bottom of the hood.
http://www.autoanything.com/deflectors/avs-chrome-bug-deflector
I've looked at this myself after adding the chrome trim on the 3rd row window and the tail light's I don't think I want to add any more chrome - at least for now.
http://www.autoanything.com/deflectors/avs-chrome-bug-deflector
I've looked at this myself after adding the chrome trim on the 3rd row window and the tail light's I don't think I want to add any more chrome - at least for now.
Big Brian
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I have the dark tinted one there are holes in the underside of the hood not sure about using 3M adhesive on it probably would be fine but they take a bit of stress
Flexpedition
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I replaced my smoke tinted bug shield with a clear one. Painted the backside of it Colorado red to match the truck, and once that dried painted the backside black.
ExpeditionAndy
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Flexpedition, that looks very nice. I would love to have a color matched bug deflector for mine. Did you use a paint gun or was that from a rattle can?
Muddy Bean
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That's really well done. I want a color matched one now....hmmm.
JExpedition07
That One Member
That is one bada*s truck dude. I ordered the OEM style chrome mirror caps and I went with a smoke deflector from weather tech.
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OP
OP
NorthGeorgia
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Well...........
Some folks are very happy with their 'shield' and some folks ask 'why?'.
I've read some reviews at the places one can buy one and I see mixed reviews there too. Most seem to indicate that bugs ain't going to be stopped all that much....unless they're small bugs. BIG BUGS still get thru and 'splat' the windshield.
But it does seem that rocks and other debris that can ding or scratch the finish are held at bay pretty much???? So they say.....................
So, I am kinda inclined to maybe get one ..... maybe ......
I drive long trips a lot and where I end up I need to get the vehicle washed/cleaned. So, yes, I go to a car wash (please no bad comments about that). Seems tho that most of the companies that make the 'shield' recommend not to go to a car wash? So maybe I shouldn't get one?????????
Some folks are very happy with their 'shield' and some folks ask 'why?'.
I've read some reviews at the places one can buy one and I see mixed reviews there too. Most seem to indicate that bugs ain't going to be stopped all that much....unless they're small bugs. BIG BUGS still get thru and 'splat' the windshield.
But it does seem that rocks and other debris that can ding or scratch the finish are held at bay pretty much???? So they say.....................
So, I am kinda inclined to maybe get one ..... maybe ......
I drive long trips a lot and where I end up I need to get the vehicle washed/cleaned. So, yes, I go to a car wash (please no bad comments about that). Seems tho that most of the companies that make the 'shield' recommend not to go to a car wash? So maybe I shouldn't get one?????????
ExpeditionAndy
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My truck goes through the automatic car wash at least once or twice a week. If the bug deflectors can survive that then I would have to rule that out for my truck.
JExpedition07
That One Member
I ordered the weather tech one just a few minutes ago. I’ll post pics and post my opinion of it on here after it gets here and I install it. I just have noticed they give the expy a meaner look, I was downtown and saw the exact same truck as mine and it looked so much better, the only difference was a frickin bug deflector. Same rims, trim, color. I figure the chrome half caps like on the high end ones and the deflector will give it a more aggressive look.
USMCBuckWild
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I went with the stick-on smoked “hood guard”. Its subtle and definately protects the leading edge of the hood. Bugs? Not sure if it helps as it was one of my first mods when i got the truck.
I have had mixed results with the bug guards in the past. We have the Ford badged smoked bug guard that uses factory holes on the wife’s Exploder. I strongly dislike it. Its faded, rattles, rubs and is a general pain in the ass. Originally had 3 little rubber-baby-buggy-bumpers that stuck to the back to keep it from rubbing against the hood; yeah they are long gone. The hardware is rusted and I can’t get the screws out (been too lazy to drill them out) to replace it. But, the one on my mom’s 2003 Durango is bomb proof. Been on there since day 1, no rattles, cracks, fading or problems. Even heavy snow and ice hasn’t fazed it.
Just my personal experience.
I have had mixed results with the bug guards in the past. We have the Ford badged smoked bug guard that uses factory holes on the wife’s Exploder. I strongly dislike it. Its faded, rattles, rubs and is a general pain in the ass. Originally had 3 little rubber-baby-buggy-bumpers that stuck to the back to keep it from rubbing against the hood; yeah they are long gone. The hardware is rusted and I can’t get the screws out (been too lazy to drill them out) to replace it. But, the one on my mom’s 2003 Durango is bomb proof. Been on there since day 1, no rattles, cracks, fading or problems. Even heavy snow and ice hasn’t fazed it.
Just my personal experience.
As long as the rock or bug hits the deflector. Otherwise...
JExpedition07
That One Member
WeatherTech one I ordered says it Includes fasteners that use the factory holes and or 3M adhesive. I will prob use the fasteners since it has them. You guys brought up a good point with the wind stress on it and ice pushing on it it’s prob a safer bet.
Muddy Bean
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Just a quick data point, there's nothing wrong with using the fasteners of course, but properly applied 3M tape is amazing. A lot of expensive Prevost private coaches and for buses actually use a form of VHB adhesive tape to affix the aluminum side panel sheet metal to the metal ribbing of the coach. That's a lot of weight and trust. Don't discount the strength of the tape if you are considering it. If the underside of your hood is clean and wiped down with rubbing alcohol before you apply the tape, you won't experience tape failure, I can almost promise you.
John Christopher
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My truck goes through the automatic car wash at least once or twice a week. If the bug deflectors can survive that then I would have to rule that out for my truck.
I have a bug deflector on my 03 EB and it has gone through many different car washes over the years. I never had a problem.
OP
OP
NorthGeorgia
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I got this response/reply from WEATHERTECH. This is definitely making me 'lean' towards getting a WeatherTech product.
Thank you for your interest in WeatherTech. The Stone & Bug Deflector with part number 50170 for your 2017 Ford Expedition come with screws, fasteners and a bracket to install and secure the deflector onto the hood of the vehicle. It doesn’t require any drilling or 3M adhesive tape. The product is also safe to use in a car wash and will not come off the hood of the vehicle. Please let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns and thank you for your interest in our products.
Question: those of you that have a deflector.....did you try putting the 'bumpers'(keep the deflector from hitting the vehicle) on the deflector instead of putting them onto the vehicle? I don't really want to 'stick' the bumpers on my paint but................
Thank you for your interest in WeatherTech. The Stone & Bug Deflector with part number 50170 for your 2017 Ford Expedition come with screws, fasteners and a bracket to install and secure the deflector onto the hood of the vehicle. It doesn’t require any drilling or 3M adhesive tape. The product is also safe to use in a car wash and will not come off the hood of the vehicle. Please let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns and thank you for your interest in our products.
Question: those of you that have a deflector.....did you try putting the 'bumpers'(keep the deflector from hitting the vehicle) on the deflector instead of putting them onto the vehicle? I don't really want to 'stick' the bumpers on my paint but................
You wouldn't want to do that. The reason multiple companies like WeatherTech and even the OEM Ford Deflector specify to stick the bumpers to the hood and not the deflector is on purpose.
If you stick the bumpers on the hood, they remain attached in the same location. If you install them on the deflector, then they can move on the hood as the deflector moves (from airflow etc.) and over time this rubbing actually takes the paint off. By sticking them to the hood, they remain fixed in place and no rubbing happens on the hood paint. The adhesive on the bumpers is easy enough to remove later on from the paint should you remove the deflector and bumpers.
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