Any solutions to stop rock damage to the radiator?

[Cortez1521]

The grill openings are too large on my 23 Lariat Tremor. I’ve noticed damage from small gravel crushing the radiator (or condenser) cooling fins. I know someone has looked into this!

 

[VB!]

I would think some expanded metal painted black and fastened to the back of the grille would be pretty subtle. There is plenty of room back there. We've done a few old trucks with some expanded aluminum this way.


Or, put an intercooler in front of it!

 

[Winterized]

I found some window screens with steel mesh as the material and plan to salvage it to catch insect debris as well as pebbles. Those windows were replaced at least 10 years ago. Depression era parents/grandparents never throw much away and thanks to them for that.

 

[KR3]

Remember, the finer mesh will block more airflow. Maybe try 1/2” or 1/4” hardware cloth vs finer screen.

 

[Slem351]

Just got a Super Duty 7.3 gas bout 2 weeks ago. To my surprise theres not much in the way of skid plating. Is the trans cooler on the underbelly gettin beat up too? Prob a question for another thread. Just wondering, if the radiator is gettin beat up the trans cooler is takin a beating too.

 

[OmahaBravo]

I've always thought about mounting a 'window screen' cartridge device on the rear of my aftermarket bumper (when i get one). This would position it far enough away from the radiator, etc that air could go around the device when sitting still but provide the bug/rock protection I want while in motion. The cartridge could easily be removed to be cleaned/replaced when damaged.

only drawback... aesthetics.

 

[OmahaBravo]

Remember, the finer mesh will block more airflow. Maybe try 1/2” or 1/4” hardware cloth vs finer screen.

facts

 

[Winterized]

Remember, the finer mesh will block more airflow. Maybe try 1/2” or 1/4” hardware cloth vs finer screen.

Aye. A test cruise with a close eye on the temperature gauges and removal tools on board is definitely merited. Worth a try though because free. Can always go to the hardware store for something better if it doesn't work out.

 

[HeavyAssault]

Just got a Super Duty 7.3 gas bout 2 weeks ago. To my surprise theres not much in the way of skid plating. Is the trans cooler on the underbelly gettin beat up too? Prob a question for another thread. Just wondering, if the radiator is gettin beat up the trans cooler is takin a beating too.

Not nearly what you think. Now that's perspective speaking, you got to think HOW is one actually using their truck. That guy that's the .001% of Tremor owner's who is running fire roads at 60+MPH everyday would argue differently.
But then....there's no continuous reports of issues as you are considering. We have more problems with SYNC reported compared to the transmission cooler.

 

[Scottnt]

You could try something like this with larger openings.

47''×16‘’ Car Grill Mesh Metal Mesh 120x40cm Expanded Metal Sheet Made of Black Painted Aluminum Alloy with 4x8mm Rhombic Hole Insert Bumper

 

[henry5six]

I don't get rocks but do get bugs stuck in the rad's. So I've been looking for something that looks like that swamp cooler media. Grainger has bulk rolls, most of it is made from polyester, but it has a very low temperature spec, 180 degrees. I found these pads that are made from fiberglass, they don't give a temperature spec. I'm thinking that it should be higher that 250 degrees. The pressure drop across the media is 0.1 IWC with 1389 CFM flow rating and its 2 inch thick.

Whoops, we couldn't find that.

The color could be a problem.

 

[MT N8IV]

I use 1/8 inch hardware cloth on the front of mine to prevent or rather shred bugs before getting to the radiators. I've never had any problem with that size in terms of causing elevated temp levels in the engine/coolant. 1/4 inch would do perfectly fine as well.

 

[Cortez1521]

You could try something like this with larger openings.

47''×16‘’ Car Grill Mesh Metal Mesh 120x40cm Expanded Metal Sheet Made of Black Painted Aluminum Alloy with 4x8mm Rhombic Hole Insert Bumper

Looks like this is the solution. I have to measure the size of the grill.

 

[Chris-DTA]

You could try something like this with larger openings.

47''×16‘’ Car Grill Mesh Metal Mesh 120x40cm Expanded Metal Sheet Made of Black Painted Aluminum Alloy with 4x8mm Rhombic Hole Insert Bumper

Could this also be a deterrent from wanne-be thiefs trying to disconnect the horn?

 

[DieselCommander]

Cloud rider grill inserts

 

[Winterized]

Cloud rider grill inserts

Looks like a dead end as their website doesn't show any product for Super Duties newer than '16.

 

[DieselCommander]

Looks like a dead end as their website doesn't show any product for Super Duties newer than '16.

View attachment 168963

I just logged on and selected F350 and it went up to 24, you can get them through most aftermarket resellers

 

[AchillesKobus]

Looks like a dead end as their website doesn't show any product for Super Duties newer than '16.

View attachment 168963

When I did a search they show 22. Does anyone have first hand experience with them. Here in AZ I don't have to go off road to get rocks. Just jump on the 202.

 

[DieselCommander]

I’ve got blacked out ones on my 20, putco makes something similar, nothing short of a full grill replacement that’s better

 

[Scottnt]

Looks like this is the solution. I have to measure the size of the grill.

This was just big enough to cover my 2022