Has any body put a screen behind the grill to stop get bugs and junks all over the grill. How do you mount it? Any ideas? Thanks

 

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.

 

What I meet was behind the grill to avoid getting on the radiator.

 

Or u could just make a cheap screen and everytime it gets dirty, throw it out and get a new screen?

 

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 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.

 

Actually there was at least 4-5 inches between the screen and condenser. It sticks out pretty far from it.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

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I'd be VERY interested in the pics! Wouldn't mind having something like that fabbed up by my local screen shop.

 

I'll see if I can't get them up in my gallery tomorrow.

Pop

 

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.

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Here's where I trimmed the core support on both sides with a high-speed rotary grinder and carbide burr.

I laid it out with blue masking tape first as a guide.

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