Has anyone RECENTLY purchased a AVS Bugflector II? (now installed update)

[djw479]

I think I want the Bugflector II for my front edge hood guard, but have a few questions. I do not want a guard that installs with tape. I read the MTC threads I could find here and just want to clarify a few things:

- are one or more of the install holes still mis-aligned on a recently purchased guard? Per previous posts here it seems one or more of the inner install holes did not line up with the factory underhood holes. Not a showstopper but it'd be nice if it installs without drilling a new hole(s) in a new deflector.
- the guard is wider than the hood and provides wraps slightly around of the top/front of the fenders, right?
- anyone find it for less than the $65-ish MSRP?
- If you know of a similar raised hood deflector that also protects some of the top fender please respond!

Thanks on advance for any answers or longer-term reviews (like how well it actually deflects bugs/rocks from hood/windshield, excessive flexing, etc).

Dan aka djw479

>> Update 6/18/23 Installation <<

I don't know who designed that deflector installation, but they should be sent back for further training. Getting all 4 retainer clips in was impossible for me. I got the 2 outside clips installed, but the 2 center clips were way too short. Tried some slightly longer Napa clips but they didn't work either as the mold of the deflector would pop them out.

Stood back and analyzed what these clips really do. I think they're used more for guard positioning (and so the guard doesn't fall on your head when opening the hood). I realized these tiny clips couldn't carry much aerodynamic load when vehicle is in motion - they'd break with minimal aerodynamic load on them. But the front end is very tightly sealed when fully closed (ie even a rubber seal on bottom of hood). I think the clamping of hood to radiator support area provides the force keeping the guard in place at highway speeds, etc (hope that makes sense).

So off to Walmart for some 3M automotive double-sided tape. Used a screwdriver in the 2 center clip holes to position the guard and completed the install.

If you really want a taller hood guard/rock-bug deflector that also covers the leading top edge of the fenders, the Bugflector II seems to be the only option currently. But be prepared to spout some swear words, etc before you get the installation completed.

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[capecruiser]

I just recieved an AVSII that none of the holes lined up. AVS didnt believe it,they made me cut it in half and send pictures of same. I have a new one being delivered today from Real Truck this time. We will see if it fits. My first order was through Truck and Gear .

 

[bckrupps]

Could be old stock. I bought one early in the production run from realtruck and mine didn’t line up. I contacted AVS and they confirmed there was a problem with molding them especially on the right side. About 3 weeks later they sent me a new one as a warranty replacement and it fit perfectly. Seems to be luck of the draw still as I assume the old ones weren’t pulled from stock as they should have been.

 

[AF Blue]

I think I want the Bugflector II for my front edge hood guard, but have a few questions. I do not want a guard that installs with tape. I read the MTC threads I could find here and just want to clarify a few things:

- are one or more of the install holes still mis-aligned on a recently purchased guard? Per previous posts here it seems one or more of the inner install holes did not line up with the factory underhood holes. Not a showstopper but it'd be nice if it installs without drilling a new hole(s) in a new deflector.

AF Blue - no alignment issue for me

- the guard is wider than the hood and provides wraps slightly around of the top/front of the fenders, right?

AF BLue - yes .. covers the corners of the fender

- anyone find it for less than the $65-ish MSRP?

AF Blue - no.

- If you know of a similar raised hood deflector that also protects some of the top fender please respond!

AF Blue - nothing else out there that I could find

Thanks on advance for any answers or longer-term reviews (like how well it actually deflects bugs/rocks from hood/windshield, excessive flexing, etc).

AF Blue - lighter bugs (flies/gnats/mosquitos) do seem to get deflected, but that is about it.
Bigger/heavier bugs (think beattles and larger/heavier) stil leave splats on the windshield.

Dan aka djw479

I ordered from RealTruck on 3/17/2023, but installed it day of the following post:
https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/-what-did-you-do-to-with-your-maverick-today.4404/post-587313

I had no issues with the holes lining up ... they are actually slotted openings about .5" wide each.
I did have issues trying to use the fasteners that came with it.
The fasteners sent are too short (or I was too dumb to get them to work).
Autozone part 458220 is what i ended up using.

Pic shows the original fastener that came with the AVS BD2 on the left (smaller/shorter).

 

[kpomeraning]

I purchased one through sharptruck back in April and they were waiting on the shipment to finally arrive to send me one. When I got it on May 11th, I tried to install it. While I could get the outer holes to align, the inner holes were off CONSIDERABLY. It now sits in my garage waiting for me to get the time to follow through...

 

[tlhmav]

I think I want the Bugflector II for my front edge hood guard, but have a few questions. I do not want a guard that installs with tape. I read the MTC threads I could find here and just want to clarify a few things:

- are one or more of the install holes still mis-aligned on a recently purchased guard? Per previous posts here it seems one or more of the inner install holes did not line up with the factory underhood holes. Not a showstopper but it'd be nice if it installs without drilling a new hole(s) in a new deflector.

- the guard is wider than the hood and provides wraps slightly around of the top/front of the fenders, right?

- anyone find it for less than the $65-ish MSRP?

- If you know of a similar raised hood deflector that also protects some of the top fender please respond!

Thanks on advance for any answers or longer-term reviews (like how well it actually deflects bugs/rocks from hood/windshield, excessive flexing, etc).

Dan aka djw479

I know you said you dont want the stick on but the raised ones also require to put little tabs on hood and everyone I had damaged the hood or fenders with high speed rub.I just traded my '22 Hybrid for a '23 had the smoked stick on looked brand new after 18 months and did not affect trade value whatsoever,I also had a hard time making that decision first time
but Just ordered another for new truck with for pass points and no regrets after 1st one!

 

[Blkraven66]

Got mine last October from Ford accessories ( it's an AVS) . Doesn't use tape. All holes lined up, except for the last one on the driver's side. With me holding it in alignment with the hood hole , my son drilled it ( slowly as to be sure not to crack the shield) . Worked perfectly! Still on the Maverick, and no issues at all!

 

[DanielABuckley]

I think I want the Bugflector II for my front edge hood guard, but have a few questions. I do not want a guard that installs with tape. I read the MTC threads I could find here and just want to clarify a few things:

- are one or more of the install holes still mis-aligned on a recently purchased guard?

I think I want the Bugflector II for my front edge hood guard, but have a few questions. I do not want a guard that installs with tape. I read the MTC threads I could find here and just want to clarify a few things:

- are one or more of the install holes still mis-aligned on a recently purchased guard? Per previous posts here it seems one or more of the inner install holes did not line up with the factory underhood holes. Not a showstopper but it'd be nice if it installs without drilling a new hole(s) in a new deflector.

- the guard is wider than the hood and provides wraps slightly around of the top/front of the fenders, right?

- anyone find it for less than the $65-ish MSRP?

- If you know of a similar raised hood deflector that also protects some of the top fender please respond!

Thanks on advance for any answers or longer-term reviews (like how well it actually deflects bugs/rocks from hood/windshield, excessive flexing, etc).

Dan aka djw479

Per previous posts here it seems one or more of the inner install holes did not line up with the factory underhood holes. Not a showstopper but it'd be nice if it installs without drilling a new hole(s) in a new deflector.

- the guard is wider than the hood and provides wraps slightly around of the top/front of the fenders, right?

- anyone find it for less than the $65-ish MSRP?

- If you know of a similar raised hood deflector that also protects some of the top fender please respond!

Thanks on advance for any answers or longer-term reviews (like how well it actually deflects bugs/rocks from hood/windshield, excessive flexing, etc).

Dan aka djw479

Where did you find l

I think I want the Bugflector II for my front edge hood guard, but have a few questions. I do not want a guard that installs with tape. I read the MTC threads I could find here and just want to clarify a few things:

- are one or more of the install holes still mis-aligned on a recently purchased guard? Per previous posts here it seems one or more of the inner install holes did not line up with the factory underhood holes. Not a showstopper but it'd be nice if it installs without drilling a new hole(s) in a new deflector.

- the guard is wider than the hood and provides wraps slightly around of the top/front of the fenders, right?

- anyone find it for less than the $65-ish MSRP?

- If you know of a similar raised hood deflector that also protects some of the top fender please respond!

Thanks on advance for any answers or longer-term reviews (like how well it actually deflects bugs/rocks from hood/windshield, excessive flexing, etc).

Dan aka djw479

 

[Jah.]

I have avs bugflector 2 for over a year .l am happy with it . l did have to expand the two center mounting holes to line up with the holes on the Hood . also had to use longer grommets for those two holes . avs manufacturer was of no help at the time . hopefully they have corrected their mistakes and customer is better . I bought from real truck Alex at the time .

Ps - used edge of drill bit to ream out the two center mounting holes toward cab of truck . about 1/8 of an inch . I already had some left over larger grommets from previous vehicles .

 

[djw479]

Where did you find l

I just purchased from RealTruck a few moments ago. Its available via many retailers but RealTruck had it in stock verse some other outlets that are out of stock.

Also chatted with a Chris B and got approx 5% off after mentioning I was a member of MTC.
Per Chris it would ship Monday, but already got an email stating its shipping today -Saturday 6/10.

Fingers crossed that it doesn't require alot of modifications to install! I'll report back when I install it.

 

[capecruiser]

Installed my second AVS II bugshield today. Only 1 hole lined up well ,had to file one other and the remaining two had to be drilled a full hole space forward of the original hole. I'm not big on the looks of it but hopefully cuts down on bugs on the windshield. I have AVS bugshields on my 19 &20 Rangers and they fit perfectly and they look good. I guess AVS quality has gone down hill. Bret

 

[cyberdog]

Installed mine 3 weeks ago, the two center holes need to be around 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch farther back. I drilled two holes in the deflector to make it fit. Fits perfectly, once you create two new holes.....which shouldn't be necessary. - Same issue with the EGR, and one other (name escapes me), from what I've seen. They must have all used the same incorrect measurements, or mold.

 

[Optimus]

Just ordered an AVS about 2 weeks ago (October 2023) from realtruck.com and I too have the same fitment issues. Only one hole lines up well, one hole so-so but do-able and the other two holes are not even visible in the slots of the bug shield. The shield is a tight fit, especially forwards/backwards, and there is therefore no slop to get it to fit. Additionally, the middle two tabs of the bugshield do not sit flush, and no amount of force will get the plastic fasteners to thread in. The fasteners are NOT long enough. So even if the holes lined up, the middle fasteners won’t go in. Yet I can move these fasteners to the outer two holes, and they thread in and tighten properly. The outer two tabs of the shield sit flush. Contacting AVS, as this is quite disappointing to still be an issue. The truck is brand new.

 

[JP4AZ]

I just installed my deflector last week. I only had to drill (enlarge) 1 hole. I am happy with to overall fit and finish. I used the push pins provided in the box. I ordered mine on ebay. Saved $10 shipping over Real Truck (who would not give a discount for this forum)
I suggest these guys:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/285164156748

 

[Lightning]

I think I want the Bugflector II for my front edge hood guard, but have a few questions. I do not want a guard that installs with tape. I read the MTC threads I could find here and just want to clarify a few things:

- are one or more of the install holes still mis-aligned on a recently purchased guard? Per previous posts here it seems one or more of the inner install holes did not line up with the factory underhood holes. Not a showstopper but it'd be nice if it installs without drilling a new hole(s) in a new deflector.
- the guard is wider than the hood and provides wraps slightly around of the top/front of the fenders, right?
- anyone find it for less than the $65-ish MSRP?
- If you know of a similar raised hood deflector that also protects some of the top fender please respond!

Thanks on advance for any answers or longer-term reviews (like how well it actually deflects bugs/rocks from hood/windshield, excessive flexing, etc).

Dan aka djw479

>> Update 6/18/23 Installation <<

I don't know who designed that deflector installation, but they should be sent back for further training. Getting all 4 retainer clips in was impossible for me. I got the 2 outside clips installed, but the 2 center clips were way too short. Tried some slightly longer Napa clips but they didn't work either as the mold of the deflector would pop them out.

Stood back and analyzed what these clips really do. I think they're used more for guard positioning (and so the guard doesn't fall on your head when opening the hood). I realized these tiny clips couldn't carry much aerodynamic load when vehicle is in motion - they'd break with minimal aerodynamic load on them. But the front end is very tightly sealed when fully closed (ie even a rubber seal on bottom of hood). I think the clamping of hood to radiator support area provides the force keeping the guard in place at highway speeds, etc (hope that makes sense).

So off to Walmart for some 3M automotive double-sided tape. Used a screwdriver in the 2 center clip holes to position the guard and completed the install.

If you really want a taller hood guard/rock-bug deflector that also covers the leading top edge of the fenders, the Bugflector II seems to be the only option currently. But be prepared to spout some swear words, etc before you get the installation completed.

I ordered one of these awhile back for my Ranger. It came with deep scratches all over it. So I swapped it for another. Guess what it had as well? Scratches. Back it went and I went with a WeatherTech. Thanks for the heads up on the fit.

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