The one a flying saucer could land in.

As soon as I got my van last year, I started thinking about how I would like to protect the A/C and cooler lines from possible damage from flying hi-way debris. I'm sure there are as many ways to do this as there are concerned vanners on FTE, this is how I did it. I finally came across the right piece of scrap metal for the job and I think it will stop any thing smaller than a Man-hole cover.

It was very simple once I found the expanded metal screen that just happened to be chrome plated, and cut it to 28.5 by 10 inches. I made one 90 degree bend, parallel to and 2 inches in, from the long edge, leaving a flat screen of 28.5 x 8 inches with a 2 inch lip to bolt down into the bumper. I inserted it through the front opening, and fastened it into place using 5/16 x 1 inch bolts with nuts underneath. The Two holes for the bolts already existed there in the bumper.

The upper edge of the screen is supported by a One inch lip formed into the rear, upper edge of the bumper. The screen rests against this lip but is not fastened to it.

I have taken a couple long road trips this summer with the guard in place and have seen no ill effects, only the peace of mind knowing my trip wont be cut short by an errant wheel cover or oil drum lid finding it's way into my bumper hole.

 

Not a bad idea at all! It's not the least unsightly but maybe a quick spray coat of black would make it almost invisible?

If not its still a good addition and peace of mind.

 

I don't know of what material the bumper is made.
On my old one the hole is for your foot.

The thought behind it is to step on your bumper to reach the windshield for cleaning.

But if the bumper is made of Plastic the opening is pointless.


I had the same thoughts about the "flying hi-way debris"
So I putted some black powdercoated aluminum grid behind it



But I forgot to cut out the panel for the hood release.
So it was tricky to get the hood back open and remove the grille to cut the panel out

 

Looks great cobra. I can imagine the moment you realized you locked yourself out of your hood release. DOH!! The bumper is still made of steel, and the screen is far enough back to allow a foot-hold if needed.

This screen is chromed steel and looks ok for the time being, but as the rust begins to take over I'll be spaying some black in there.