Ranch hand grille guard install issues

[BadKarma]

Hey yall, wondering if any of you have experience installing the grille guard. I attempted too today after scoring one. Installed the brackets with the bend facing out and the tow hook holes don’t line up but the guard mocks up. With the bends facing the other way all the holes line up but the guard is like 3” off from the mounts. The instructions say I’d need to drill out the tow hook holes if using the supplied bolts but using my bolts on the truck secured fine without using the supplied ones. I guess I’m asking the question I kind of already know the answer to and that’s to use the half inch by 4 inch long bolts supplied by ranch hand however, I got the drill guard secondhand did not come with the half-inch by 4 inch and was hoping to use the factory bolts because the way I interpret the instructions is if I choose to use the ranch and bolts. Direct quote from the instructions. “When you try to put the bolts back on, they will seem to be short. If you decide to use the 1⁄2”x 4” bolts provided, you will need to drill out the holes in the frame first.”

So I guess what I’m asking is do I need to drill out the frame even though I’m not using the supplied bolts

 

[BadKarma]

Turns out I’m stupid. Went on fine the second try when my son helped me hold it in place.

 

[elephantrider]

throw a pic up. those things usually take a second set of hands to install.

 

[BadKarma]

Yes, literally the only difference between doing it myself the first time and my son helping out the second time was the fact that I wasn’t trying to balance, holding the grill guard and trying to slide in the mounting hardware. The second set of hands was definitely useful.

 

[BadKarma]

Goes on easy with help!

 

[dieselscout80]

Goes on easy with help!

I wonder why Ranch Hand bends the lowest center cross bar down in the middle?

 

[BadKarma]

I wonder why Ranch Hand bends the lowest center cross bar down in the middle?

For guys under 7’6” tall to look under the hood. Lol

I can see it possibly offering protection for maybe the intercooler? It is kind of odd looking.

 

[phatboy64]

Maybe to protect the intercooler?

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

I wonder why Ranch Hand bends the lowest center cross bar down in the middle?

I think its a bad angle to see it but its actually more bent out, and its just likely so if hit it is less likely to hit the bumper too

 

[dieselscout80]

My guess isI it might be for front license plate visibility.