mesh screen behind grille
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Elder User
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From: NJ ... the garbage state
mesh screen behind grille
I have heard talk of a lot of people putting a mesh screen behind their grille, to help keep rocks and bugs and what not from collecting in their a/c condensor. I have searched, but seem to be unable to find a post related to this. just cuious of what type screen, and what type mounting methpod was used by anyone who tried it. The front of my truck acts like an insect population control machine, and i am hopig to protect the internals a little mroe, as i know what my old trucks always ended up looking like after years of this abuse to the radiator and a/c. Had a couple thoughts, but wanted to see what good ideas had come from the forum before i purchase anything.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Central Florida
My local truck accessory shop has semi-custom, exterior mounted screens. They are the same width as the grill. It snaps onto the grill under the hood where the snaps cannot be seen and small bungee cords connect the bottom behind the front bumper (hidden).
It appears custom fit and you can't see it till you are very close to the truck. Because of the snaps/bungee, it is easy to remove and clean. No hardware shows. I'll try to post pics on Sunday.
On my F-150, I had the "Lund" inserts. They did a good job of keeping the radiator clean. However, because they were made of flimsy plastic, they were hard to clean.
It appears custom fit and you can't see it till you are very close to the truck. Because of the snaps/bungee, it is easy to remove and clean. No hardware shows. I'll try to post pics on Sunday.
On my F-150, I had the "Lund" inserts. They did a good job of keeping the radiator clean. However, because they were made of flimsy plastic, they were hard to clean.
Last edited by rdam; May 15, 2004 at 10:09 AM.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Mt. Airy, Md.
Nylon Screen
Hiya!
I've always put a piece of nylon screen like you'd find
in a window or door screen in front of the ac condenser and radiator. Just cut to shape and
fasten it with whatever hardware holds the grill parts in place.
Have used them for years and change when bugs
and "stuff" get stuck in it. The dark grey is barely
noticeable behind the grill.
Give it a try!
--PSD (Waiting for my new truck in July!!
)
I've always put a piece of nylon screen like you'd find
in a window or door screen in front of the ac condenser and radiator. Just cut to shape and
fasten it with whatever hardware holds the grill parts in place.
Have used them for years and change when bugs
and "stuff" get stuck in it. The dark grey is barely
noticeable behind the grill.
Give it a try!
--PSD (Waiting for my new truck in July!!
)
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From: NJ ... the garbage state
Originally Posted by PSD Six-Point-Oh!
Hiya!
I've always put a piece of nylon screen like you'd find
in a window or door screen in front of the ac condenser and radiator. Just cut to shape and
fasten it with whatever hardware holds the grill parts in place.
Have used them for years and change when bugs
and "stuff" get stuck in it. The dark grey is barely
noticeable behind the grill.
Give it a try!
--PSD (Waiting for my new truck in July!! )
I've always put a piece of nylon screen like you'd find
in a window or door screen in front of the ac condenser and radiator. Just cut to shape and
fasten it with whatever hardware holds the grill parts in place.
Have used them for years and change when bugs
and "stuff" get stuck in it. The dark grey is barely
noticeable behind the grill.
Give it a try!
--PSD (Waiting for my new truck in July!!
)Do you mount it right over the ac condensor? the heat isnt a problem? I am just trying ot think of the best place to mount it. If you are mounting it directly to the condensor, does it still keep th e condensor from getting banged up? Thanks for the idea, i may just go pull the grille and see what i come up with.
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Elder User
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From: NJ ... the garbage state
Originally Posted by rdam
$35.00 installed
hmm, outside wasnt exactly what i was thinking, but that doesnt look bad. i think i have seen them before. Do you know who makes it, cause i wont be driving all the way down there to get it installed, but 35 is a real nice price.
if not, that gives me an idea, just put snaps on top and bottom of grille, and mount it on the inside or outside of the grille. any thoughts on that?
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 616
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From: Florida Parishes, LA
I just put a screen behind my grill today. $4.95 for the screen at Home Depot. I took the grill off and I cut the screen to the width of the grill. I then placed it over the plastic that the grill mounts over and snapped the grill over it. The 4 clips that kold the grill in the bottom pushed through it and then I used the screws through the top. I trimmed the extra from there. It looks good and isn't noticable until you get up close to it. Hope this helps.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: PHOENIX
Originally Posted by fireman28
I just put a screen behind my grill today. $4.95 for the screen at Home Depot.
4.95 window mesh, went with some expensive $11.00 galvanized screen mesh from the concrete department at Home Depot. It has about 1/4 inch mesh, comes in a role 11 inches tall, and almost looks like chrome. 
Just trim it to width with aviation snips, zip tie it to your grille, and re-install!I have pictures but for some reason I can't add anything to my gallery? I try to add more pics and it never uploads or only the top 1/4 inch of the pic uploads.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 545
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From: Shreveport, La.
iskybantilus, this is a very old method of offering condensor or radiator a little protection.
You should be able to purchase for very few dollars, a pre-made screen, comes in a small box, sold around here by most national car parts chain stores, truck stops offer a version too.
These are a black colored screen, with a border and plastic push through fasteners or some have stretchy corner tie downs.
Same basic thing at hardware/bldg material stores. Fiberglas sreening for windows and doors. Sold in various widths, some places sell in small precut rolls, some sell by the foot.
super steve, that's hardware cloth isn't it? Be careful not to let it be in constant contact with the aluminum of condensor or radiator. It can rub them the wrong way in two different ways. Friction/abrasion, and the galvanized metal and aluminum don't like each other.
You should be able to purchase for very few dollars, a pre-made screen, comes in a small box, sold around here by most national car parts chain stores, truck stops offer a version too.
These are a black colored screen, with a border and plastic push through fasteners or some have stretchy corner tie downs.
Same basic thing at hardware/bldg material stores. Fiberglas sreening for windows and doors. Sold in various widths, some places sell in small precut rolls, some sell by the foot.
super steve, that's hardware cloth isn't it? Be careful not to let it be in constant contact with the aluminum of condensor or radiator. It can rub them the wrong way in two different ways. Friction/abrasion, and the galvanized metal and aluminum don't like each other.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 152
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From: Kiln, MS.
I've been told (Haven't look into it yet) to use white (My SD is white) vinyl siding fascia/soffet (Spelling ??) with all the little holes. I was told to put it behind the grill and it looks real sharp. As I said I haven't even looked at this yet. But the love bugs are comming soon.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
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OH MAN - I don't love those love bugs !!!!!!!!!!!!!
can I put a screen in front of my WHOLE truck ?!?!?
but good idea about the screen - will go buy autozone today...
can I put a screen in front of my WHOLE truck ?!?!?
but good idea about the screen - will go buy autozone today...
Last edited by jdadamsjr; May 16, 2004 at 10:31 AM.
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From: NJ ... the garbage state
cool guys, thanks for the input. i was just gonna get the "4.95" home depot screen and try to squeeze it behind there too, good to hear it holds in place. sometime this week i'll probably get around to it. just collected another 100 miles worth of bugs this weekend. little *******s.