00-04 Outback hood deflector/bug shields

[Bradley Walker]

Where would I go to purchase one of these? I want to protect from the hood
from getting hit with small gravels that could ding it and or chip paint.
I've checked google pretty thoroughly and none of the sites I found have
hood deflectors made for 00-04 outbacks.

 

[Bugalugs]

Where would I go to purchase one of these? I want to protect from the hood
from getting hit with small gravels that could ding it and or chip paint.
I've checked google pretty thoroughly and none of the sites I found have
hood deflectors made for 00-04 outbacks.

Pleased for you that you got what you wanted.

Be aware of the 'potential' to have a HG problem, and you will get
posters who have had problems and preach doom and gloom, but there will
be thousands out there who have had no problem.

Do a search on the archives on hood deflectors and bras. There was quite
a bit of discussion a couple of years ago

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Where would I go to purchase one of these? I want to protect from the hood
from getting hit with small gravels that could ding it and or chip paint.
I've checked google pretty thoroughly and none of the sites I found have
hood deflectors made for 00-04 outbacks.

contact Jamie at www.subarugenuineparts.com or periodically check Ebay.
Likely the same part for a Legacy will fit the Outback - not sure on
that. Also, you could get a soft vinyl 'bra' or, as I have done on one
of my soobs a 'clear bra' which overlays the paint in the front of the
fenders and hood.

Carl

 

[Bradley Walker]

How well do the bra's protect for a high impact gravels? Being here in the
mountains during the winters, the state puts down cinders and small gravels
on the road surface for traction during snowstorms, however during and after
those storms the remaining gravels tend to get kicked up by vehicles once
the snow has melted and traffic resumes at 55mph+. My mom had a gravel nick
the front of her `95 legacy and it chipped the paint and now under that it's
corroded about 1/8" diameter. I am curious to know if the bras can sustain
against that or if the deflector is the only thing that would?

 

[Dino]

contact Jamie at www.subarugenuineparts.com or periodically check Ebay.
Likely the same part for a Legacy will fit the Outback - not sure on that.
Also, you could get a soft vinyl 'bra' or, as I have done on one of my
soobs a 'clear bra' which overlays the paint in the front of the fenders
and hood.

Carl

Ditto. I bought a deflector from there and was happy with the transaction.
Was easy to install. A problem with a vinyl bra is you just can't leave
them on there.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

How well do the bra's protect for a high impact gravels? Being here in the
mountains during the winters, the state puts down cinders and small gravels
on the road surface for traction during snowstorms, however during and after
those storms the remaining gravels tend to get kicked up by vehicles once
the snow has melted and traffic resumes at 55mph+. My mom had a gravel nick
the front of her `95 legacy and it chipped the paint and now under that it's
corroded about 1/8" diameter. I am curious to know if the bras can sustain
against that or if the deflector is the only thing that would?

The deflector will likely only protect a small area of the front hood
from larger pebbles. It seems to be designed more for deflcting bugs and
lighter airborne debris. The vinyl bras may protect a larger area but
there can be problems with abrasion in windy/dusty conditions and
moisture being trapped under some stypes. The clear bra looks godd,
likely is in between the deflector and the vinyl bra in protection - but
can be expensive. maybe someone with experience can help you more. I
have a clear bra on one of my cars but have no long term experience with
all of the above items. I suppose a clear bra, with occasional
installation of the vinyl bra for offroad driving might also be an option.

Carl

 

[Bradley Walker]

Thanks for the insightful tips. I was getting the same feeling that long
term use of the bra would cause more headaches in the long term being that
the area I live in experiences 103*F highs in the summer and -3*F lows in
the winter with everything in between. I'm not so much as concerned about
the lower plastic based bumper than I am about the metal hood that would
probably ding/dent a tad quicker than the bumper would. Plus with there
being metal under the paint that would open the door for corrosion vs a ding
or chip in the plastic bumper. I can imagine that the bra would move around
in the wind, and as you said even with a little movement and getting
sand/dirt down in between there that could really have diasterous
consquences to the paint.

 

[BobN]

I wish I'd bought the deflector when my 1998 OB was new. After 237K the
front 6" of the hood is almost white due to stones and sandblasting. The
deflector seems to rise high enough to protect nearly all of the hood, and
it creates an updraft that helps launch the debris over the windscreen.
I'll get one on my next OB, in about 8 more years.

 

[Bradley Walker]

Thats the whole reason why I'm wanting a deflector.

The mathetician inside of me now wonders what affect the updraft has
regarding gas mileage.