[kilago]

I just installed the AVS Bugflector II (~$65 + tax), and I'm pretty impressed. Purchased at a local store. Fits very well and the installation was smooth.

A couple notes:
1. When installing, screw in from the outside in, so do both side screws then the middles. I ended up trying to force the screw in on one side, and it stretched the hole, although with a little fiddling I got the screw in pretty secure.
2. Enough space between the guard and the hood to wax/wash without removing, a major plus!
3. Sits very firm, doesn't bend much. i.e. it doesn't flex and hit the hood. They actually come with small clear bumps to stick onto the hood, but I never used em cuz the guard sits so far from the hood, and trying to bend them to touch the hood is nearly impossible without breaking something.
4. Finally, from top down, it's hood - bugflector - rubber - washer - screw. There are four tongues that stick out, they go between the hood and the rubber seal. Don't be dumb like me and try to put the tongues over the rubber seal, it's much more difficult to install.

Pics

 

[motocopter]

bgflector

The deflector looks good - tucked in well.

My last two trucks had deflectors. This time I got a roll of 4" 3M paint protector for the leading edge of the hood.

 

[FitzIngarage]

I installed the Nissan Hood Protector and I've noticed that there's no way for water to easily drain out. When I wash the truck or if it sits in the rain, water rolls down the hood to the front and puddles up, trapped behind the protector. I'm concerned about eventual rust and expansion of ice if it forms.

I'm thinking about drilling a small hole or two in the center botton of the protector where it'll be nearly invisible and allow water to drain out.

 

[navara-au]

Do you find it difficult to close the hood im having to let it drop from height to close because i dont want to push down on deflector
i also screwed on the outside of rubber not between.Is it better between rubber and hood?

 

[kilago]

Do you find it difficult to close the hood im having to let it drop from height to close because i dont want to push down on deflector
i also screwed on the outside of rubber not between.Is it better between rubber and hood?

Yeah, I drop the hood down...but that's how I normally close hoods...it's probably the best way to close it...I tripled checked to make sure it wasn't putting pressure some place it wasn't supposed to, and it looks to be okay...did you notice any damage?

As far mounting it, it's better between the rubber...if you have the hood shield mounted over the rubber, it may crack/break faster...the rubber will take some pressure away from the mounts...Also, I found it much easier to install rubber - hood deflector - hood...

 

[FitzIngarage]

Also, I found it much easier to install rubber - hood deflector - hood...

That's the way I did mine too. My closure is tight as well, but if I drop the hood from a slightly higher height, it closes fine. I suppose I could adjust the hood latch, but it's not worth it at this point.

Someone at work said that hood protectors are mostly useless. I wonder if that's true? I guess they do keep smashed bugs off the leading dge of the hood. I wish someone made a bra for the Fronty.

 

[05_NISMO_4X4]

Well, IMO they are very much worth it! I didn't have one on either my F-150 or my Explorer and they both ended up with pretty nasty chips on the front edge of the hood, so it was one of the first Mods I did on my Fronty, and haven't regretted it since! Just wait till that first rock bounces off the front of his hood leaving a nice chip, and then ask him again if it's worth it!

 

[NISMO_R6]

wow,m after reading this, I was able to reuse the rubber weather strip.
I actually took mine off after I installed the EGR bug shield.

thanks!

 

[FitzIngarage]

... Just wait till that first rock bounces off the front of his hood leaving a nice chip, and then ask him again if it's worth it!

Ha! I'll do that.

I washed my truck yesterday and when I opened the hood 24 hours later, an amount of water did pour/drip out when I raised the hood, so the hood protector does trap water.

This afternoon I drilled a 1/4" hole near the bottom of the protector at the center. I didn't have to remove anything. I used a pin vise to hold the bit and turned it by hand for better control, so as not to scratch my paint or melt the plastic. I'll see if it works to drain some of the water. With my luck, I've created a hole that will whsitle at speed.

 

[FitzIngarage]

Drain Hole

I washed the truck this morning and I think my little 1/4" hole at the bottom center of my Nissan Hood Protector is going to work pretty well. A small bit of water remains, but a bunch pours out, so i'm happy. If I knew about this beforehand, I'd have drilled perhaps three holes before mounting the thing.

 

[outlnder]

The AVS Bugflector II has long slit openings along the bottom. No water at all gets trapped.

 

[Markcuda]

kilago, on my 2006, I don't remember seeing that ruber seal under your bug sheild.
Did you install that?

 

[Panman06]

Also, I found it much easier to install rubber - hood deflector - hood...

That's the way I did mine too. My closure is tight as well, but if I drop the hood from a slightly higher height, it closes fine. I suppose I could adjust the hood latch, but it's not worth it at this point.

Someone at work said that hood protectors are mostly useless. I wonder if that's true? I guess they do keep smashed bugs off the leading dge of the hood. I wish someone made a bra for the Fronty.

Ditto. I installed my Nissan deflector sandwiched between rubber and hood as well. I actually modified the bottom of the deflector with varying slots and holes. I used my Dremel and cut 1/16" x 1" slots with two 3 mm holes in between slots.

I've got the deflector and a 14" 3M clear bra. This gives the front ample protection against the gravel during winters.

 

[UpFront]

Hey Kilago, Nice Truck, I have a Black 06CC. Where did you get the Bug Shield. In Honolulu? I work Dole Cannery area so I recognized the scenery in your pics.

 

[kilago]

Hey Kilago, Nice Truck, I have a Black 06CC. Where did you get the Bug Shield. In Honolulu? I work Dole Cannery area so I recognized the scenery in your pics.

I bought it from Ron's...they had a sale awhile back...but you can find the AVS everywhere...Checkers, Rons, Matco...I think they have two, Bugflector and Bugflector II...the Bugflector II is more curved...I work in town too, I'll keep an eye out for your truck! Mine is the one that often has a dog cage in the back...

By the way, I never updated my original install notes, but the screw in the far right came loose, so I had to go to home depot and buy a replacement 7mm bolt that is 1mm larger than the original...it's a hex bolt, but it works well...It screwed in tight now...I don't know why that one gave me problems...

 

[Joaquin]

I bought the avs deflector for the hood and noticed the screws that came with it are a bit too wide for the small opening on my 2017 frontier. Any thoughts on that?

 

[cuda383]

I bought the avs deflector for the hood and noticed the screws that came with it are a bit too wide for the small opening on my 2017 frontier. Any thoughts on that?

They were tight on mine as well. I socked them down with a screw gun and they haven't budged in the 8 years I have had it installed.

 

[Joaquin]

They were tight on mine as well. I socked them down with a screw gun and they haven't budged in the 8 years I have had it installed.

Don’t know if I have the balls to do that, you think a ratchet and some force may help?

 

[cuda383]

Did yours come with bolts or screws?

 

[Joaquin]

Did yours come with bolts or screws?

The bolts how about yours?