Bug Deflector Journey

[Briansk12]

Thought I would post to help you guys with decisions if you are looking at or planning on installing some sort of hood protector/bug deflector. I went down a rabbit hole trying to find one that will look good but not mess up the hood.
Started with the Ford bug deflector that sits off the hood. Liked it but it made wind noise so took it off. Mounting hardware is good.
Next was the Aeroskin II. Liked it and had it on for a couple of months. Took it off because it did weird things with the air going through my vents. On windy days the it was like someone was turning my fan from low to high over and over. When I took it off there were already some small scratches in the paint from the edge of the protector. I was able to buff most out.
Next up was the Bugflector II. Fit was terrible. Holes did not line up to mount it correctly. Gave up when it cracked trying to line the holes up.
I then tried the Aeroskin. These are nice but at the end of the day couldn’t stop thinking about the scratches the Aeroskin II made so took it of. Sure enough, more scratches in the short month it was on. Also these ship in a box that was usually crushed by time I received it. AutoVentshade was good and sent new ones but it was a pain. The third one finally came undamaged.
I am finally down to my final decision. Either nothing or the EGR Supershield. By far the EGR is the best. Mounts like the Ford oem using the same hardware. It does not make noise and is a touch smaller. It is solid and out of them all I think this is the best made. Attached are some pics of it in case you haven’t seen it.
Hopefully this helps someone that is thinking about these.

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[Mo21F150]

Part number or Link?

been trying to nail down a deflector!

thanks I’m advance!

 

[Briansk12]

https://egrusa.com/search/ymms_results.php?year_=2021&make_=Ford&model_=F-150&submodel_=Lariat

Matte Black (this is what I have)
303585
Dark Smoke
303581

I purchased from realtruck.com

 

[SteveJ2477]

Great report, thanks for all the time and effort.

 

[Midwesty]

Thanks for the right up! Very helpful. I’ve always used bug shields to help rock chips on the hoods leading edge. My commute is terrible for that.

I have a weathertech on my f250 that works well. My issue is the rubbing on the paint where it wraps around for mounting.

Are you still happy with the EGR brand? Any issues yet, like paint rubbing?

I tried the stick on aeroshield 2, and took it off quickly. The hvac blower pulsating was very annoying. I liked the look though.

 

[PBXL]

Thanks for the post. I picked up an EGR from American Trucks for about $65 shipped based on your experiences.

 

[in_venere_veritas]

I took off my Aeroskin as well. If I was ever parked outside in the sun, it would start to lift off at the contours of the hood. Jesus it was a pain to take off. Got my EGR deflector on its way thanks to this thread.

 

[Kodiak]

I picked up my 2022 Lariat on Dec 2022 and started looking for a bug/rock deflector immediately. I have the BAP/Tremor style hood and my journey has continued to this day. No soup for us BAP/Tremor hood guys.

 

[DadBald]

Thinking about going with the EGR per the recommendation here. I'm seeing some reviews about misaligned holes even on the EGR from other users, but seems generally well-liked.

I had a stand-off version like the EGR on an old Jeep Grand Cherokee of mine for 10 years. Eventually a bolt came out, it vibrated and broke so I took it off. The clip on the edge of the hood really screwed up the paint, see attached. I really don't want this again!

I also don't like the reports of scratches from the stick on types (many reviews not just here). It seems to be from 2 things: sharp unfinished edges, and debris underneath from non-continuous adhesive strips. You could probably fix the first issue by sanding down the edges to make it smooth, but not the second. So I'm leaning towards the stand-off type.

Maybe my leason-learned on the stand-off type is to check the bolts are tight periodically. I'm also concerned about the longevity of the anti-abrasive tape you put under the hood clips. Maybe a combo of filing the edges of the clips (if they're not smooth) and replacing the tape guard every couple of years would be a good belt and suspenders approach.

Does this seem viable to those who have this type of hood protector?

 

[in_venere_veritas]

Thinking about going with the EGR per the recommendation here. I'm seeing some reviews about misaligned holes even on the EGR from other users, but seems generally well-liked.

I had a stand-off version like the EGR on an old Jeep Grand Cherokee of mine for 10 years. Eventually a bolt came out, it vibrated and broke so I took it off. The clip on the edge of the hood really screwed up the paint, see attached. I really don't want this again!

I also don't like the reports of scratches from the stick on types (many reviews not just here). It seems to be from 2 things: sharp unfinished edges, and debris underneath from non-continuous adhesive strips. You could probably fix the first issue by sanding down the edges to make it smooth, but not the second. So I'm leaning towards the stand-off type.

Maybe my leason-learned on the stand-off type is to check the bolts are tight periodically. I'm also concerned about the longevity of the anti-abrasive tape you put under the hood clips. Maybe a combo of filing the edges of the clips (if they're not smooth) and replacing the tape guard every couple of years would be a good belt and suspenders approach.

Does this seem viable to those who have this type of hood protector?

I think a periodic visual inspection of the clips and anti abrasion strips would suffice. What happened in that photo didn't happen overnight. Looks like it was metal on paint for a while.

 

[Tall Tail]

Thought I would post to help you guys with decisions if you are looking at or planning on installing some sort of hood protector/bug deflector. I went down a rabbit hole trying to find one that will look good but not mess up the hood.
Started with the Ford bug deflector that sits off the hood. Liked it but it made wind noise so took it off. Mounting hardware is good.
Next was the Aeroskin II. Liked it and had it on for a couple of months. Took it off because it did weird things with the air going through my vents. On windy days the it was like someone was turning my fan from low to high over and over. When I took it off there were already some small scratches in the paint from the edge of the protector. I was able to buff most out.
Next up was the Bugflector II. Fit was terrible. Holes did not line up to mount it correctly. Gave up when it cracked trying to line the holes up.
I then tried the Aeroskin. These are nice but at the end of the day couldn’t stop thinking about the scratches the Aeroskin II made so took it of. Sure enough, more scratches in the short month it was on. Also these ship in a box that was usually crushed by time I received it. AutoVentshade was good and sent new ones but it was a pain. The third one finally came undamaged.
I am finally down to my final decision. Either nothing or the EGR Supershield. By far the EGR is the best. Mounts like the Ford oem using the same hardware. It does not make noise and is a touch smaller. It is solid and out of them all I think this is the best made. Attached are some pics of it in case you haven’t seen it.
Hopefully this helps someone that is thinking about these.

Did any of these stop rocks from hitting the windshield?

 

[roadPilot]

Did any of these stop rocks from hitting the windshield?

Answered you back in the other thread you posted the same question in ...

Looking for a bug deflector | Page 2 | F150gen14 -- 2021+ Ford F-150, Tremor, Raptor Forum (14th Gen) | News, Owners, Community, Discussions

 

[Tall Tail]

Answered you back in the other thread you posted the same question in ...

Looking for a bug deflector | Page 2 | F150gen14 -- 2021+ Ford F-150, Tremor, Raptor Forum (14th Gen) | News, Owners, Community, Discussions

Thanks. There must be a reason that there are over four different threads on the same topic.
Do you have one?
If so, which one?
Are rocks still hitting your windshield?
Have you have any windshield damage from rocks?

Are you experiencing any of this issues mentioned in the OP?

 

[roadPilot]

Do you have one?
If so, which one?
Are rocks still hitting your windshield?
Have you have any windshield damage from rocks?

Are you experiencing any of this issues mentioned in the OP?

Yes, I *have* one. The rest of the answers can be found in one of the *four different threads* you mentioned.

Thanks. There must be a reason that there are over four different threads on the same topic.

The reason that there are four different threads on the exact same topic is easy: Too many people do not use the SEARCH function before asking a question that has been asked and answered.

 

[akoza]

After a few paint chips on the leading edge of the hood and a rock into the windshield I went ahead and installed the Aero II. More importantly, it's protected the leading edge of my hood, I've had no more rocks hitting the windshield, and the amount of bug splatter has reduced tremendously.

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