Screen Guard

[bjgillisva]

Has anyone made a screen guard to protect the condenser fins on an 06 2500? I'm looking to make a custom size screen and then hanging it in front of the condensor but not sure where to hang it from. Just wanted to see if anyone else has done something similar or even put screen across the grill, if so how did you do it and how is it working?

Thanks

 

[Bertram65]

I got a roll of black aluminum screen from HD cut it close to size formed it around the condensor and top of the radiator and zip tied it to the condensor brackets, I have had it on for several years, works great.

 

[Buffalo]

I've heard that the screens cut airflow by quite a bit. Have any of you guys found that to be true?



I suppose lots of bugs could cut airflow, also.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[Pawpaw]

http://www.kilbyenterprises.com/condenser-guard.htm



http://www.genosgarage.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MPC-GRILLE

 

[nauidvr1]

I have both the Kilby Condenser guard and a screen over everything on two trucks. I live in Maryland (near Baltimore) and even with our summer temps getting to 100* I have not had a problem with engine temps rising. In fact the engine temp is the same as it was before I installed both. Yes the small mesh screen cuts air flow, by how much I am not sure (have heard up to 25%), but I have not had a problem - even towing 10,000 lbs in summer heat.

 

[Graphite 6]

If you want to protect the fins buy the Kilby's guard like PawPaw referenced, well worth the money, I did that and the black screen to keep the debris out, I hung my screen on the hood stops and cut a hole for the hood latch, works like a charm, Buffaloe, No airflow blockage issues .

 

[AMink]

I used black fiberglass screen and attached it to the inside of the front grill using a hot glue gun. It has about 6000 miles on it. It's easy to clean, just open the hood and gently squirt water through the screen from back to front. For the lower portion that is exposed, I built a frame using a screen kit. It is just wide enough to go to the edges of the condensor. There are holes there that I tapped into to hold it on. I also have the Kilby's thing from Geno's that protects the top of the fins when the hood is up. Works good.

 

[ScottLewis]

Like AMink I used black fiberglas screening but fastened it in front of the condenser/radiator with cable ties like Bertram65. I did so years ago on my '98 and on my '06 as soon as I brought it home. Periodically squirting it off with a hose clears the bugs and I have never had an overheating problem despite towing my 11K+ RV throughout the desert states for years.



Dan

 

[Brookshire]

I used a cheap gutter guard on my truck

I wanted to protect the unprotected space in the bumper of my 2004 where the tow hooks are. I don't know if the newer models have this hole or not, but here's my fix.



Over the weekend, I went to Home Depot and bought a $1. 50 aluminum gutter guard, cut it to fit and installed it from the inside to protect from rocks and other debris on my 2004. 5 2500 that I bought a few months ago. I did remove the bumper from the truck. I bought $2. 50 worth of stainless hardware 10-24 x 3/4" and some lock nuts. I painted some fender washers and used them. I removed the black plastic screws from the upper fascia and replaced them with the stainless hardware and fender washers. I drilled 4 holes in the chrome part of the bumper on the lower side.



The gutter guard is easy enough to work with to make the bends and is very rigid when bolted down. I looked online for an alternative, but couldn't find one that fit with the tow hooks and didn't want to modify a purchased one.



I'll attach photos tomorrow. I need to modify the photo size.



It was cheap parts. I'm glad I didn't "pay" for my labor!!!..... But I learned a lot about the truck. I'll be keeping this one for a long time, so it was worth the time and effort.



Jeff

 

[Brookshire]

cheap gutter guard screen guard

A close-up view from the inside of the bumper on my 2004 SLT using the gutter guard as discussed in previous post.



J-

 

[Dieselnerd]

I've used window screen on my 2nd gen and my current truck with no problems whatever. Sure it may cut the airflow a little but bugs compacted in the fins are far worse. I've towed heavy up long grades in hot weather and never had any overheating at all. Cleans up easy, most bugs just brush off.