Homemade A/C fin guard

[Casey Balvert]

This is the guard that I made out of sheet aluminum. I had a length bent with a half inch lip on it. I cut it to the exact length of the A/C condenser and smoothed any sharp edges with a small file. I attached a couple of short pieces of thin foam tape to the surfaces that contacted the condenser fins to prevent chaffing and rattles. I used heavy duty double sided tape to attache it the top of the intercooler core. While I like Geno's stainless steel job, this covers fewer of the condenser tubes and cost less then five bucks. I ran a strip of black electrical tape along the front surface and it just about invisible when looking through the grill with the hood closed.



Casey



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[JThiessen]

hmmmm

I like the look. But I'd have some conerns about the following:



1. Thin AL will bend easily - my body on the center of that may still not be pretty.



2. Tape and heat dont usually mix well. Throw in wind forces and I'd bet that it will come loose (I hope it doesnt for your sake).



I'm hoping to go the route of a combination of something like what you have and what geno's sells. I want the rigidty of something with tubes (or some other structural component), and now that I've seen yours, I want to add some sheet for looks.

 

[Casey Balvert]

1. I don't want to stand on it, just protect it from the normal bumps of servicing the truck.

2. It doesn't get that hot but if it the tape falls off, I will just paint it. The intercooler doesn't get that hot but if it falls off I will go the self tapping screw route.

3. Edisons bulb didn't work the first time either.



Casey

 

[Blakers]

Good job Casey!

 

[Mr.Goat]

Casey



Nice neat looking job. Red Green would also approve, as it's home made and there's some sort of tape involved. Pete

 

[marc]

a/c fin guard

good job casey. just a thought, I did mine last weekend and I used a little heat resistant black paint, no pix but it looks good

 

[Dean Upson]

Here is what Gino's guard looks like on my truck. I may leave the ss finish alone. I don't think it looks bad with the silver Sport Laramie .



Dean

 

[robobx]

http://community.webshots.com/photo/74931219/75499835ASQDQM



Here's mine. angle aluminum from Lowes, stuck on with sticky foam. I'm searching for a piece that's 1"x 4" angle. But for $8. I'm happy and it's been on for over a month so I think the sticky foam is ok.

 

[Kilby]

Can I show mine too? It not only covers the top but covers the whole darn thing, including the bottom.



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[Casey Balvert]

Kilby, that will stop the clumbsy toes from flattening the fins as well. What sort of screening did you use to make it?

 

[robobx]

Very nice Brad, so when will those be available?

Can I get a JU discount? Oh wait, this ain't JU...

 

[Kilby]

Hahaha! JU indeed! You can get a TDR discount when these become available though.



Casey, it's called perforated metal. Kind of expensive stuff really.

 

[tpuig]

Kilby, that's great. Since heat rises, I had thought about a making some sort of lightweight perforated metal plate and bending it to the proper angles. Yours is a lot nicer. Count me in if you do make it available.

TP



p. s. and still hoping that someday an onboard air kit will fit the '03...

 

[Blakers]

Originally posted by Kilby

Can I show mine too? It not only covers the top but covers the whole darn thing, including the bottom.



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The picture link is not working now.

 

[SilverFox]

Kilby,

I have Geno's but haven't installed it yet. When do you expect to get yours into production? I want one!!

 

[MGrounds]

Looks excellent, Very Professional

Kilby,



Let me know when you start production. I will take one also.

Micheal

 

[Kilby]

Re: Looks excellent, Very Professional

I'm hoping to go into production soon. I'm just waiting to finalize the design and get the material ordered. Soon!

 

[kbarlow]

Kilby



You can sign me up for one.



If I may suggest a method to attach a disposable bug screen would make it an excellent bomb.



Cheers Ken

 

[SilverFox]

A bug screen would be a big plus so long as it doesn't hold up production.

 

[Kilby]

I was kinda thinking the consumer can attatch a screen of their own with some simple tie wire or something. I'm not in the bug screen business so I wouldn't even know where to begin really.