Screen behind the Grill
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 1
From: South Texas
Seems to me, you would just be trading one problem for another. The screen would stop the bugs from getting to the radiator, but then you still gotta clean out the screen.
I have seen some vehicles (not Ex's) with a bug screen over the front of the grill, but it looks ugly.
I have seen some vehicles (not Ex's) with a bug screen over the front of the grill, but it looks ugly.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
I did on my 2000 that had a SD grill on it. I used the vinyl screen, IRC.
I simply taped it on. The grill hide the duct tape and I would throw it away after bug season.
It saved me a lot of cleaning of the condenser! It will stop small rocks, too.
I simply taped it on. The grill hide the duct tape and I would throw it away after bug season.
It saved me a lot of cleaning of the condenser! It will stop small rocks, too.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Ozark, MO
I have read somewhere (makes it more likely to be true) that any screen placed in front of the radiator needs to be 3 or 4 inches in front of the radiator so as to not impeed air flow. Makes it somewhat hard to achieve.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Actually there was at least 4-5 inches between the screen and condenser. It sticks out pretty far from it.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 73
Likes: 1
I put in a metal screen behind the grill on my 2000 V10 after I bought it used. I believe I drilled a few small holes and used some small screws with washers to mount it to the framing behind the grill. I also mounted an extra tranny cooler in there as well.
It has really worked well to keep out the bugs. Just hit it with the hose and the bugs fall off pretty easy.
I did the same thing previously with my 94 full size Bronco which I still have and have never had any issue with either truck.
It has really worked well to keep out the bugs. Just hit it with the hose and the bugs fall off pretty easy.
I did the same thing previously with my 94 full size Bronco which I still have and have never had any issue with either truck.
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Brett Foote
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Alberta, Canada
I used a screen for a few trips with my suburban - works well as it flexes/flaps in the wind and and shakes off a lot of the bug parts - plus they don't get wedged into the rad.
I used a screen with elastic cords with hooks on the end - something that may work behind the grill on the Excursion.
I used a screen with elastic cords with hooks on the end - something that may work behind the grill on the Excursion.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: New York
Anyone have any photos of having done this? What is the real benefit? Is there a negative to having bugs all over my radiator? I guess I don't like it but when the trucks cleaned they (moderately) wash off. My thinking is that's better, or at least they're better hidden than being stuck to a screen? Depending on how mounted, doesn't a high pressure sprayer bend or tear up the screen when sprayed? What gauge of screen are you using? Thanks.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
I had a screen shop make up a custom-sized metal frame and put aluminum screening in it. Cost me about twenty bucks.
I wanted it easily removable, yet completely covering my A/C condenser. I had to use a dremel with a carbide burr to remove some of my fiberglass core support, but it fits like a glove when installed and you can't tell that anything's been cut unless you have another support beside it to compare.
Some split heater hose covers the frame where it might wear on things, and it just sits there behind the grille. It installs from the top, so I have to take the five little push-in plastic "fuzzy rivits" out to allow my top rubber air dam to move back enough to get it past. Of course, removing the grille helps a lot, too, but that's easy.
Since installation, I haven't had a need to remove it for cleaning, and that was about seven months ago and includes a cross-country trip. Nothing is showing any signs of rubbing or wear. Nothing has happened to either my A/C or engine cooling performance, either. It gets plenty HOT here, so I'd know if things were impaired.
I'll have to get some photos for you and post them if you're interested.
Pop
I wanted it easily removable, yet completely covering my A/C condenser. I had to use a dremel with a carbide burr to remove some of my fiberglass core support, but it fits like a glove when installed and you can't tell that anything's been cut unless you have another support beside it to compare.
Some split heater hose covers the frame where it might wear on things, and it just sits there behind the grille. It installs from the top, so I have to take the five little push-in plastic "fuzzy rivits" out to allow my top rubber air dam to move back enough to get it past. Of course, removing the grille helps a lot, too, but that's easy.
Since installation, I haven't had a need to remove it for cleaning, and that was about seven months ago and includes a cross-country trip. Nothing is showing any signs of rubbing or wear. Nothing has happened to either my A/C or engine cooling performance, either. It gets plenty HOT here, so I'd know if things were impaired.
I'll have to get some photos for you and post them if you're interested.
Pop
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Got some photos for you this morning.
The screen frame is exactly 24" x 30". The entire passenger's side is covered with a 5/8" split heater hose. Friction does a very good job of keeping it in place. There is also a spot on the bottom that has ten inches of the same (see below), placed so that the frame can't rub the hydraulic fluid (power steering and hydroboost) cooler.
You have to remove the five little "push-ins" and peel back the top rubber "air dam" to slip it down from the top. Nothing needed to be removed from the top area, but a little "encouragement" is necessary to get it past the hood safety catch release handle.
I used to have to take off my grille and remove stuck bugs and small rocks (actually large pieces of sand) with a dental pick, but that's a thing of the past. Looks like it's about time for a washing, which is super easy by removing the grille.
Pop
The screen frame is exactly 24" x 30". The entire passenger's side is covered with a 5/8" split heater hose. Friction does a very good job of keeping it in place. There is also a spot on the bottom that has ten inches of the same (see below), placed so that the frame can't rub the hydraulic fluid (power steering and hydroboost) cooler.
You have to remove the five little "push-ins" and peel back the top rubber "air dam" to slip it down from the top. Nothing needed to be removed from the top area, but a little "encouragement" is necessary to get it past the hood safety catch release handle.
I used to have to take off my grille and remove stuck bugs and small rocks (actually large pieces of sand) with a dental pick, but that's a thing of the past. Looks like it's about time for a washing, which is super easy by removing the grille.
Pop
