Bug Screen

[DaveK98]

I've searched the posts and it looks like most people are putting "window screen" over their radiator.



Questions

1. What do you guys use to secure it? zip ties, binder clips????

2. Did you buy a metal screen, I'm thinking the vinyl screen might melt?



Getting pelted by "love bugs" in Texas stinks... .



Dave

 

[JCrockett]

I have a winter/summer front from these guys

http://www.alaskatent.com/

The screen front covers the entire front of the radiator and is behind the grill. They give your snaps that you screw into you core support. Works great. Give them a call and they can set you up.

 

[RStamand]

I just cut a peice of metal screen and put two 90 degree bends in it. It hangs over the intercooler. Not very elegant but it has worked for 7800 miles.

 

[LOtero]

Got a piece of screen from a screen door wired it with bailing wire to the stops for the hood on the radiator support and let it hang in front of the intercooler and condenser. works good so far, not too purty, but it was cheap.

 

[Jengle]

Home Depot etc. has what they call Pet Screen. Heavier style vinyl screen, that has held up for 50k+ miles on my truck, secured with ty-wraps, wire ties, whatever you call them. Black and hides all the stuff that shows through on pics from the front, and never had a heat problem in the summers in the DC area.

 

[Bertram65]

I used black aluminum screen, bought at Home Depot, cut it close to size and then just bent it around things, secured it with zip ties, has kept my radiator looking new.

 

[WyattEarp]

for the last 90,000 miles the old screen out of a screen door has worked great, I just cut to fit the inside of the grill, took off the grill nuts and pushed screen onto the grill studs and put nuts back on, no heating problems and keeps everything out except what gets sucked up from the bottom off the radiator, its almost time to air hose or water hose the radiator and intercooler out for the winter time.

 

[SHobbs]

Here is a simpler fix. Go to Cabellas on line they have a screen and a winter front, you can get both are just one or the other. They both use snaps with 3m tape to hold them on the grill. I think the screen was around 19 or 20 bucks together around 34. I have both and have been very pleased, none of the little snap bases have come off. They are stuck there for good and you can use screws instead of the 3m tape if you like the instructions tell you what screws and how to install them.

My screen has been on every summer for three years with no tears, easy to clean too.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I used to have a screen on mine and really liked the way it kept the radiator clean. I've now removed it. I was told by more than one mechanic that having that there will kill the air conditioning unit alot faster. I guess I'd rather spend a little time cleaning the fins than buying a new ac unit. Something to think about.

 

[Bertram65]

I used to have a screen on mine and really liked the way it kept the radiator clean. I've now removed it. I was told by more than one mechanic that having that there will kill the air conditioning unit alot faster. I guess I'd rather spend a little time cleaning the fins than buying a new ac unit. Something to think about.

It would be interesting to hear the mechanics logic on how a screen can "kill" the air conditioner. Did he explain how the screen would cause a problem?

 

[robert4570]

I used black aluminum screen, bought at Home Depot, cut it close to size and then just bent it around things, secured it with zip ties, has kept my radiator looking new.

I had the same set up on my 99' with good results for 6 years.

I just installed a screen on y 05' and did a long test run in traffic and highway very slight increase in traffic but no change on highway.





I do have a couple of concerns though with regards to the 3 GENs fan operation being by the ECM .



What effect will the added airflow restriction to the radiator have on operating temp?

Is the fan operating more now as result of the screen impeding airflow which will obviously increase temps ?



My 2 gen it wasn't a concern but with these new trucks its seems like everything is controlled by some module.

 

[DaveK98]

Thanks for all the info, I think I'm going to go with the black alum screen.



My thinking is that the reduced air will be made up by straight fins that aren't bug coated. It will be much easier to remove the screen and replace or clean it.

 

[Tony T.]

I have the Kilby Condenser Guard on my truck, I just got some black vinyl screen from Home Depot cut it to fit and zip tied it on. So far so good with no excessive water temps.



Tony

 

[LJFiler]

I have had the black vinyl screen from home depot on my 01 for 104K with no melting of the screen, the a/c has not gone out and the water temp has not been affected. I also put the same type of screen on my 05 with no ill effect as of yet 8500 miles. Both trucks the screen has been held on with zip ties.

 

[MMeier]

Home Depot special here also!! 94 k miles and no problems, ,I just go and scrape off the dried up lil' critters ( and some large ones too! ) after a drive and it is good to go. Up top I just squeezed the screen under the overflow tube and bumpers for the hood and a single zip tie down low to secure it. Now who has a fix to keep the bugs and what not from the inside of my doors by the A pillar??