Phillip Beall
 |
|
• Honey Grove, TX, USA |
|
• Registered on 11/7/2004 |
|
• 74 posts |
|
|
|
 Posted:9/19/2007 00:12 |
|
|
Hi All,
Our '02 4x4 PSD Excursion is great, but in the last year we've simply been worn out with replacing windshields.  For some reason we've simply had a rash of busted windshields. Yesterday we took another rock off the top passenger side and there was no mistaking it - BOOM! Star shaped crack that can't be fixed, so we're going to put our third windshield in - THIS YEAR! 
All three have been from rocks thrown by opposite direction vehicles on the highway. We don't have a front air deflector on the hood, but I'm wondering if that, or any other trick, might help to keep things from hitting the windshield? 
Thanks,
Phil |
|
aklim
 |
|
• Hartford, WI, USA |
|
• Registered on 2/20/2006 |
|
• 133 posts |
|
|
|
|
Posted:9/19/2007 00:14 |
|
|
It might depending on the angle. If it is more to the ground, yes. However, if it doesn't hit the deflector, it doesn't matter.
01 Excursion. Gauges with AIH Delete, AIS Air Filter system, CCV Mod, 4' MBRP, BTS Trans, 6.0L Trans Cooler and Intercooler, DP-Tuner F6 chip, ITP In Tank Mod and Boost Annihilator, Diesel Innovation's Regulated Fuel kit, BTS Big Oil system, GTP38R Turbo with 1.15 A/R housing and BDP Stage II AC injectors. Bilstein Shocks with U code front and A code Rear. Billet thermostat housing |
|
davecarpe
 |
|
• Newton, NJ, USA |
|
• Registered on 9/2/2007 |
|
• 29 posts |
|
|
|
|
Posted:9/19/2007 05:47 |
|
|
You seem to be having some really bad luck! Do you drive on a lot of unpaved roads?
I do have a bug deflector on my 2002 PDS Excursion and have had one on since it was new. I have only replaced my windshield once. It had a stone bruise that could probably have been repaired but it wasn't bothering me so I ignored it. Several months later on a cold morning (about 2 degrees) I went out to an appointment and I hit a bump and there was a loud CRACK and I had a huge crack all the way across the windshield.
IMO the bug deflector won't hurt but as was mentioned before, it only helps if the rocks are coming up so they hit the deflector.
Do yuou have a lot of stone chips in the paint on the front? If so, the bug deflector may help.
 |
|
CHPMustang
 |
|
• Plano, TX, USA |
|
• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
|
• 1,800 posts |
• 1
|
|
|
Posted:9/19/2007 10:05 |
|
|
Hey Phillip,
The single lane each direction no divider will cost windshields for sure,I probably did a couple a year with another truck I had taking hits from opposing traffic.
One day I just had my windshield repaired and not even 6 hours later,Bammm!! another windshield on order! 
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
|
|
Phillip Beall
|
|
• Honey Grove, TX, USA |
|
• Registered on 11/7/2004 |
|
• 74 posts |
|
|
|
|
Posted:9/19/2007 11:51 |
|
|
Guys,
We live on a rock road, but it is only ~1.5 miles to pavement, and the rocks we've been hit by have all been at highway speeds on paved roads. A complication is that most of our driving in northeast Texas are on roads that rock haulers use to transport loads to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. So, there are a lot of rocks laying about I guess.
My thinking on the bug deflector is that you're creating something of an updraft wind zone in front of the windshield and that perhaps that would help clear things from hitting the windshield. The one we hit yesterday sounded like a gunshot, and it was likely quite large, so a bug deflector wouldn't likely have made much difference there. But, I was looking for some anecdotal feedback to see if anyone else had any thoughts. 
Thanks for the feedback so far,
Phil |
|
monsta
 |
|
• The Big Island, HI, USA |
|
• Registered on 1/5/2002 |
|
• 1,056 posts |
• 2
|
|
|
Posted:9/19/2007 22:04 |
|
|
So I did this poll years ago asking for people's feedback about the benefits of a bug deflector.
It was unanimous that they did nothing to keep rocks & bugs off the windshield but did a great job at protecting the leading edge of the hood. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 |
|
caddys83
 |
|
• Oklahoma City, OK, USA |
|
• Registered on 12/4/2004 |
|
• 127 posts |
• 1
|
|
|
Posted:9/19/2007 22:24 |
|
|
I got 3 rock chips on my windshield! 
one during snow season at night (scare the crap out of me) and twice durning regular days. I even had a blinker thrown at me from a Concret truck as it was passing me by on the highway, it bounce on the ground before it went airborn to attack my hood but no dents or scratches.
Always keep back at least 2 cars inbetween u and the Semi truck. those rock flaps are worthless, and keep back away from Concrete truck.
So much for DOT pretrip inspections 
--------------------------
I've decided that Xochi was in cahoots with the gas stations to rid me of my bank account. I still and love her.
 |
|
CHPMustang
|
|
• Plano, TX, USA |
|
• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
|
• 1,800 posts |
• 1
|
|
|
Posted:9/20/2007 09:18 |
|
|
The Debug guard on the hood is there to protect from rocks,bugs,etc as without it the paint would take a beating in the winter states that use DG on there roads for traction.
During our winter roadtrips to Colorado,Wyoming and Utah the Bug guard helps direct falling snow over the hood and windshield.
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
|
|
AvroAero
 |
|
• Toronto, XX, Canada |
|
• Registered on 9/2/2007 |
|
• 12 posts |
|
|
|
|
Posted:9/20/2007 16:11 |
|
|
|
The bug guard also creates an updraft that will help lighter objects to just sorta fly over. May help some with rocks. |
|
David Rush
 |
|
• Greenville, SC, USA |
|
• Registered on 4/11/2004 |
|
• 233 posts |
• 1
|
|
|
Posted:9/21/2007 07:23 |
|
|
|
The deflector can only help obviously. I have had one for the last few years. There are a couple of different profiles available with deflectors. Sounds like you need one that stands as tall over the hood as possible. Mine is a low profile deflector which probably would not help much for your needs. Seems to me I have seen them with an upward sweep on the back edge. I did it to protect the paint and I hoped it would reduce bug guts. Paint is great--bug guts-not so much! |
|
