Poor Man's Cold-Front
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,582
Likes: 12
From: 21791
Poor Man's Cold-Front
well, it was 8* this morning and it is going to stay relatively cold for a bit, so i decided to make my self a cold front grille. since i dont like the look of the smooth metal on the front of the grille from the "drop in" style cold-fronts, i decided to see what i could do. i removed the grille, cut some cardboard into pieces and fitted it into the radiator. i then removed them, spray canned them black, and then put them back in. i grabbed for my grille, and it hit me. i could cut out behind the grille and use the tabs that were on my [billet] grille to secure the cardboard on. it is an ingenious idea if i say so myself. take a look.
note the tabs that stick out of the back:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...t/DSCF2734.jpg
cut cardboard to fit, punchmark the location of the tabs and then slit them with a razor.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...t/DSCF2733.jpg
drill holes in the selected tabs, used to hold cardboard on:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...t/DSCF2735.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...t/DSCF2736.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...t/DSCF2737.jpg
i beleive these are called Lynch Pins. just push the cardboard down, and slide these in the holes, clip them over.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...t/DSCF2741.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...t/DSCF2740.jpg
TA DAA!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...t/DSCF2742.jpg
this was all made from parts around the shop, it cost me nothing but 15 minutes. looks normal from outside the truck. can't tell there is cardboard behind it.
enjoy.
note the tabs that stick out of the back:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...t/DSCF2734.jpg
cut cardboard to fit, punchmark the location of the tabs and then slit them with a razor.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...t/DSCF2733.jpg
drill holes in the selected tabs, used to hold cardboard on:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...t/DSCF2735.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...t/DSCF2736.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...t/DSCF2737.jpg
i beleive these are called Lynch Pins. just push the cardboard down, and slide these in the holes, clip them over.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...t/DSCF2741.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...t/DSCF2740.jpg
TA DAA!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...t/DSCF2742.jpg
this was all made from parts around the shop, it cost me nothing but 15 minutes. looks normal from outside the truck. can't tell there is cardboard behind it.
enjoy.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 567
Likes: 0
From: Mandeville, La
You really cant tell whats behind the grill.
What happens when it rains?
I guess you have to take the whole grill on and off when it warms up/ cools down. I have never lived in a climate where that would be necessary. This is the second cold snap that we have had and it was 43 or so in the day. Brrrrr.
What happens when it rains?
I guess you have to take the whole grill on and off when it warms up/ cools down. I have never lived in a climate where that would be necessary. This is the second cold snap that we have had and it was 43 or so in the day. Brrrrr.
Infidel
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 2
From: Elkhorn WI
Only 8*??? I walked outside yesterday and the needle was barried 12* UNDER 0! Truck was pluged in so there was no problems starting but when ever i came to a stop light the temp gauge would slowing drop and then it got cold in the cab 
Good idea Tho! 
Good idea Tho!
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,582
Likes: 12
From: 21791
this is only a temporary modification. i used rustoleum paint, so it should shed some water, i know it won't be waterproof. when this one becomes water logged, ill just make a new one. it's not hard to to.
thanks for the compliments!
thanks for the compliments!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Have you seen the cousin to corrugated cardboard? It looks just like that cardboard, except it's made out of plastic. Completly weatherproof. I'm not sure where to get it, but if you do an internet search for corrugated plastic, a lot of links come up.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Dallas GA
Originally Posted by Kwikkordead
Have you seen the cousin to corrugated cardboard? It looks just like that cardboard, except it's made out of plastic. Completly weatherproof. I'm not sure where to get it, but if you do an internet search for corrugated plastic, a lot of links come up.
Sign shops usually have the corrugated plasticmaterial. That is usually what those cheap signs at corners and along roadsides are made out of.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Elkhorn, WI
Originally Posted by strokin_it7.3
But, im a Ford Truck Entusiast. i like wrenching on my truck.
i love messing with my truck even though theres nothing wrong with it. thats a good idea and a nice looking grill. i have a black vinly cover that looks pretty good but at least with yours you can bearly tell its there. it was -15 degrees saturday and mine started right up but complained for a while