Bugs are out in Alaska

[Turbo Terry]

Just went for 100 mile ride. What are you guys doing for bug screens on the new trucks. Old 99 was window screen purchased at the hardware store. It did a fair job

 

[lpennock]

Window screen is what I use.

 

[Wiredawg]

I still use black fiberglass window screen behind the grill for radiator and intercooler. If you install a grill/brush guard, that can help with bigger problems.

 

[Turbo Terry]

Good to know. Off to get some more window screen tomorrow

 

[Turbo Terry]

But what I really want to know is how do you get the screen down in there. It’s all a big plastic shroud.

 

[seafish]

This is the ticket --

https://www.genosgarage.com/category/condenser-guards

get the right one for your year truck and then then add window screen to the back of it !!!

In fact for an 03-09 truck , then the guard comes with screen,

Years ago I was lucky enough to get mine in stainless steel along with the Kilby radiator tool tray and then I made a slide out stainless bug screen to go with it all ... still working great to this day!!!

 

[lpennock]

On my 18 it is 6 bolts (4 on top 2 on sides) to remove grill. Just pulled grill and zip tied to it.

 

[bcbender]

looks like Geno's doesnt have one for the 19+ trucks yet

 

[Turbo Terry]

I see you just remove the front grill not the fan shroud

 

[Turbo Terry]

Looks like a major job just getting the plastic stuff out of the way.

 

[Wiredawg]

Way too much work removing the fan shroud. I've not even seen under the hood of a 2019+ Ram diesel, but there might be someone on here who has done this. Installing screen in front of the radiator of my new vehicles is one of the first mods I make to my vehicles. Very easy to clean. I also keep the bottom open and free so any bug remains can fall through.

 

[Turbo Terry]

I wonder how many folks don’t know or care. Most vehicle's probably don’t have screens on them

 

[Timd32]

Yeah some areas are probably worse then others. Probably very regional and also very local issues might require more effort.

Here is the grill removal/install for a '21.

 

[Wiredawg]

Terry, have you ever put a bug screen on a vehicle before? Just curious as those of us who do have the screens appreciate the benefits of not loading up the radiator and intercooler with bugs and not bending fins on them either.

 

[Turbo Terry]

Very nice. What a pain in the neck to do every year. Must be something better. Real truck has one that goes on the outside

 

[Wiredawg]

I do it once and done... not sure what you're talking about doing every year.

 

[Turbo Terry]

Yes I have put them on my 23 year old 99 every summer but that was pretty easy really now it’s become a major chore you have to take the front of the truck off. Also I have never had much luck with those stupid blind rivets

 

[Turbo Terry]

Nuts and bolts I understand

 

[bcbender]

FWIW, the 19+ grill looks like a real PITA to remove... I was going to do it to install my block heater cord and after almost breaking a plastic trim piece that goes around the headlight decided not to. Surely not as easy as the 4th gens, I never had a screen on my 04 for 200k and never has any issues,... the 20 has a active damper / louver in front of everything so another layer for bugs to get through..

 

[AnonEd]

FWIW I leave my screen on year-round. In Terry's climate he could do the same and just call it his winter radiator cover and clean the bugs once/year in Spring.