Bug Shield / Deflector

[Langhorne]

Hello! I've done a search through the forums and I've found some old threads but they didn't quite point me anywhere, though I'm having the same problem locating an "old school" bug shield like I used to have.

I'm not looking for the wrap around kind and I don't want the "smoke" color.

I'd like one that's just a piece of straight up and down plastic, and I'd like it to be like a red tint, just like I used to have. Any place I can order this?

Thanks!

 

[dremu]

Well, I woulda pointed you to JC Whitney, but all they have is the smoke wrap around ones.

I vaguely recall having one of these on my Chalet, and it was mostly flat plastic. Like this?

Seems like you oughta be able to get yourself a piece of 1/8" clear acrylic in tint of choice, maybe 4", 5" high and the width of the hood. Then you do some aluminum angle along the bottom to attach it to the hood, and you're golden. Or red

I have a local plastic place that has basically everything plastic and cuts to size, so I'm assuming you'd be able to find one local to you. Shipping a long piece like that would be spendy.

-- A

 

[Langhorne]

Yep! Like that! I remember they were out there in lots of colors. Basically clear with a color tint to match whatever your paint job.

I had one guy tell me those old school straight up ones are illegal now? And thats why you cant find them... Can't speak to the reliability of the source of that. Anyone heard anything similar?

Does seem like homemade is gonna be my best bet. Gotta make 2 of almost everything for both my 83's. Was just looking for one less project, heh.

 

[dremu]

Yep! Like that! I remember they were out there in lots of colors. Basically clear with a color tint to match whatever your paint job.

I had one guy tell me those old school straight up ones are illegal now? And thats why you cant find them... Can't speak to the reliability of the source of that. Anyone heard anything similar?

Does seem like homemade is gonna be my best bet. Gotta make 2 of almost everything for both my 83's. Was just looking for one less project, heh.

Doubt the law says you can't have a bug protector. Might say the driver's vision can't be blocked, so that's an interpretation on the part of the officer. Too much work for him to write up / prove, so not likely.

More likely that these things aren't made any more 'cuz everybody wants high-tech aerodynamic stuff, or 'cuz the blow-mold smoke crap is easier to make.

The local plastic place has like eight variations of colored see-thru acrylic, so if you DIY you can get yellow or blue or whatever to coordinate.

-- A

 

[a77blazerchalet]

I'd forgotten how dark mine was, a barely translucent dark brown. The still unidentified one at the bottom was in Belpre Ohio, with a shield that I thought looked like it was aiming toward yellow.

 

[dremu]

Apparently standard accessory for '76-77. God knows aerodynamics weren't a concern for Chalets

-- A

 

[BlazerFarm]

I don't think they make those anymore. I haven't seen one in years that's still intact and not sun dried brittle. Wish I would have known when I junked my rusted out '77. It had the metal bar that holds the plastic still on it. The plastic was long gone.

It's definitely old school '70s though.

 

[Langhorne]

Yeah... I just found out from the guy I bought my 83 suburban from that it HAD a red one on there up until a week before I bought it. It cracked when they opened the hood... and they threw the whole thing away, including that metal bracket. Doh! So close...

Looks like to stay authentic I need to center it on the hood and not go the full width?

 

[diesel4me]

I have one lying in the weeds beside my garage,where it landed when I took it off my '77 GMC years ago..not sure if its any good or has a smoked tint or not...I'll take a look at it tomorrow and see if its any good or wasted...

 

[Langhorne]

I have one lying in the weeds beside my garage,where it landed when I took it off my '77 GMC years ago..not sure if its any good or has a smoked tint or not...I'll take a look at it tomorrow and see if its any good or wasted...

Sounds good! If nothing else, it would be great to know the dimensions and maybe some pictures if you don't mind, so if it comes down to making a replica it'd be a great starting point. Future people might stumble upon this thread and find that helpful as well. Thanks!

 

[WJACKSON11X]

I have one that came on my '88 Burb. I have since sold the Burb, but kept the bug guard for some reason. It is smoke color. I'll see if I can get some better pics of it. It was screwed into the underside of the hood with several bolts.

 

[82355]

I've thrown a bunch of those away. I didn't think anyone would want the silly things.

Martin

 

[Langhorne]

Aaaah! Yeah it's part of that classic look for me. I also think they might work better, but cause more mpg loss, than the new wrap around ones.

 

[WyoSquareMan]

Don't blame ya I found one to put on my 85 burb its a little rough but kinda like u said its got that classic feel if you would like I could
Take some pics and dimensions for ya if I remember after work tomorrow

 

[78Chev]

i have one that is just black tinted, not gonna use it. ill take pics if you want

 

[Langhorne]

Yeah, pics, dimensions, etc, would all help! This thread will be a great reference.

 

[4xcrazy]

I have one in the garage that came with the truck, I hung on to it for some reason, then used it for the cross country trip I made back to Indiana. it really did help with deflecting most bugs and stuffs flying up near the windshield.

I watched snow blow up and over it too, didn't make it all the way up over the top, but it was at the very near top of the windshield.

Not sure I'll even get put back on now, since the truck is here with me finally and I really don't see any long distance trips in it's future any more.