Props to JPhotoz for the grille guard idea

[wekilled]

I was sitting in Iraq and looking at JPhotoz Merc Grilleguard and as soon as I got back I purchased a quality heavy duty one on ebay for about $250. It sat till this weekend and now it is ready for duty.

I opted not to chop it in the center so I could show off Ron's VXC skid in the center. It still looks stock, like it came for the VX. If I were to chop it I think I would cut it at the welds where the wraparound portion meets the center section, so there wouldnt be any extra beads on it, but I like it away from the body so its actually functional.

It has plates welded so it attaches with bolts at multiple points: into both the towhook holes, also into the holes where the old bullbar mounted before, and through the grille as well. (see images with T-shaped brackets)

Definitely giving up the bullbar!

[Ldub]

Lookin' Good Doug...glad to see you're back from the sandbox & turnin' some wrenches!

[DarkWing]

Like the pix, are there any more, specificly the mounts through the grill? I was thinking about one, but $600 plus shipping is a bit stiff. If I can do it for half price, I might do it. As many details as you could supply about the guard itself and how you mounted it would do lots to help me decide.

[wekilled]

Here are a few more that I took, sorry they arent as cloeup as they could be.

Sorry Tone, I just couldnt afford your guard (and necessity is the Mother...)

Gotta admit that I like the ones oneBay better anyway as they are more dynamic looking, with more usual angles that seem to complement the VX. Dont worry, I still will continue to shop on your site.

Anyway, the stock ends were chopped off, the guard was held up with towels and other crap to get it in the right location till the brackets that JPhotoz discussed could be fashioned. They ended up looking more like a "L" versus a flat piece, so that they can bolt both where Tones Bull bar mounts and to the two tow hook holes. Note that I did not section it out in the center(see if you can zoom in on the photo) It came out almost as good as my "work" Grille guard (minus the Witchdoctor mask and barbed wire....)

[Ldub]

I'm lovin' the mask & barb wire theme in the last pic & hope you will carry that idea over onto your VX!

[CoastieCosta567]

That Looks amazing, I love the look, i know its been done before, but i havent seen it on a light colored VX so i didn't know if it would look good on white or gray, but it looks bad azz, Good Job Bro. Whats the name or where did you get the guard? I really want 1 and am interested in having one of my own.

[JoFotoz]

It looks good, though I like the "fit" better with the sectioning that I did.

Thought I'd repost this for those interested...

..................................


Its a"WAAG" brand after market unit for the 1999 ML320

I sectioned 6 inches out of the center ( the two tubes and the middle 'bar')...

The 6 inches is a little variable , depending on how close you want the guard to sit at the corners of the headlights , and personal taste regarding width etc.
I put the whole thing up on milk crates and moved it all the way to one side to line it up with the corner of one H/light and then shimmed it to the right height.... with the two "uprights" nicely framing the VX grill.
OK..so this gave me the 6 inches...but anywhere from 4.5 too 6 would work depending on your "taste"
(Any more than 6inches and it sits way to far forward , and the headlight guards sit way to close to the body.)

Then ( after VERY carefull measurement!) I simply cut the 6 inches out , and re-welded it ( as fair and straight as possible!)

The original (ML320) bottom mounts were cut off right at the tube , they are way too big and way too wide.
Two plates , about 7 x 4.5inches were then drilled and bolted to the "tow hook" holes on the frame. The plates were notched to clear the sway bar clamps at the outer ends.

I then went back to the trusty milk crates...set the Brush guard up in position
and clamped it firmly in place.
The lower tubes now curled perfectly under the front of the vehicle and sat across the plates.
I tacked the tubes to the plates (battery disconected!)..removed the whole unit , and completed the welding off the vehicle.

At the top of the guard , I removed the tangs from the h/light area that the ML320 uses to attach the top support straps.
These support straps were then welded to the lower , inner part of the h/light protection , right next to the upright bar.
I cut a small section out of the plastic under the lip of the hood on each side , and these straps fit through and are bolted to the front clip supports.
.
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jo

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[wekilled]

The 1999 ML320 Bar I bought off eBay wasnt a WAAG, but a cheaper knockoff.

Sometimes that can be hit & miss and you end up with something that looks like a guard, but is the thickness of tin foil. I ended up getting a good thick product for $259 and then $85 in shipping.

[JoFotoz]

.
I simply "stole" ..(borrowed!) mine from my wifes car...it looked like a good fit!

Knock-offs are WAY cheaper and still do the job right...more power to ya!!


Here...a sample...thats cheap!
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1-pie...em270206119390

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I think ""ANY"".. ML320 Brush guard unit is a GREAT ANSWER...

...modified...OR NOT!


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jo

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[tom4bren]

IMHO, I like the shape of Tone's better. Never got into that 'cat eye' look. KUDOS for the adaption though - looks clean & strong.