Friday night I hit a deer with my pickup. Just smoked it. Pretty much everything in front of the engine will have to be replaced. Grill guards suck. If the pickup wouldn't have come with a grill guard it wouldn't have ruined the hood or the right fender. I had to put it in reverse and back it up about 200' to a gravel road. Now it won't go into gear. Says "range shift inhibited". What's the deal there? Was kind of raining and I couldn't see that well. Not sure if the deer made it under and ruined some electrical or what.

Looks like maybe I'll be putting a newer style hood on. Anybody have pictures of their pickups with a ranchhand type bumper painted to match? Red would be most helpful.

I'm going to get some pictures of it up sometime.

I had about 1000 damage when i hit a deer last summer. Bumper, bumper top,airdam, headlight/grill mounting brackets and some paintless dent removal...No grill guard either...
the range shift message is generally associated w/the nsbu switch on the tranny and were prone to moisture... By 04.5 i think gm had switch over to the new and improved "black" switch... Its possible that when you hit it jarred something free and got moisture in it or just broke the connection all together...
If you go w/the newer style hood, ive got a grill ill sell ya...

that sucks!

Sorry to hear that man, at least you are ok. Truck is fixable. Good luck

Here are some pics of the carnage. Still looking for info on replacement cattle guards.

you sure it was a deer and not a buffalo? good lord that is some carnage

you sure it was a deer and not a buffalo? good lord that is some carnage

:iamwithst

ya i think you need a replacement bumper like mine i hit a deer doing 80 and it just bent in the diamond plate a little it isn't painted to match but i like the look of the black gives the truck a different color so it isn't all red http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/garageimage.php?do=full&p=8976

Did it set the air bag off??

Yeah, you need a REAL brush guard. Looks like that one was more for show. (jdugie - that's pretty stout!)

Here's my custom bumper/guard - It's more of a simple design:

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/garageimage.php?do=full&p=30709&d=1177623476

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/garageimage.php?do=full&p=30706&d=1177623455

Thanks guys but I don't have the time this time of year to take on building a project like that. If someone could recommend a brand it would be great. Preferably one that could be ordered powder coated to match your vehicle. Trying to get rid of the black on my pickup. I want one smooth color. No it never set the airbag off. Truth be told it didn't rattle the pickup that much. The fact that the radiator was leaking is disheartening. Means that for the most part all the coolers will have to be replaced.

ya i think you need a replacement bumper like mine i hit a deer doing 80 and it just bent in the diamond plate a little it isn't painted to match but i like the look of the black gives the truck a different color so it isn't all red
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/garageimage.php?do=full&p=8976 (http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/garageimage.php?do=full&p=8976)
(Image has been resized. Click it for full size.)


GOD BLESS TEXAS (and ranch hand too) I LOVE this truck. I can also attest to these bumpers taking a POUNDING

Ali-Arc out of Canada, but there are dealers in the U.S., I happen to be one. They make a great product, and not too expensive. P.M. me for more details.