Insect season : mesh to protect radiator

[Blackbulldog]

Hi guys , have had challenges getting hold of a insect screen for the Cherokee
The universal ones are way to ugly
I bought some Alminium screens from Bunnings
In an attempt to customise and fit into the top and bottom grille
But it is not that easy removing the lower grill
So had to fashion something to fit from the front and secure with ties

Anyone had any suggestions? Thanks

[NTRubicon]

Shade mesh from Bunnings and some cable ties. Bugs and grass seeds no more. Just be careful at high speeds as it may restrict air flow into the engine bay

[Billnick]

Just be careful at high speeds as it may restrict air flow into the engine bay

x2. It doesn't look it but there is a lot of turbulence when air tries to go through mesh. You get the same effect with a household screen door where it wont let the breeze through.

[Blackbulldog]

So it's not recommended? It's that or gunk on radiator find :(

[NTRubicon]

Generally not recommended. I have some supercheap auto ricer mesh inside the grille of my JK but bugs still get through every now and then.

I keep some shademesh under the seat with some cable ties for time where I'm driving through tall grass, but it comes off as soon as the speeds increase

[Blackbulldog]

Thanks guys , appreciate it .. I'm just gonna be driving from Melb to NSW so I guess not really needed ... :/
Perhaps I'd just put it on the top grill the 7 holes and leave the bottom ones as they are...
Thanks !

[lujabe]

Hi there,

I found on eBay a bug screen that's hemmed and has eyelets sewn in so it looks neat - can't remember the price I'm afraid, but wasn't outrageous.

To fit it, I popped the bonnet, drilled a couple of small holes in the plastic cowl under the bonnet and used cable ties to secure. I ran the mesh behind the rego plate, and cable tied the bottom edge to the honeycomb mesh in the lower grille in the bumper. Closed the bonnet, so the mesh sits behind the bonnet slots. Comparatively little air on these things goes through the bonnet slots though, so for the purpose I think it really would need to run down to the lower grille as well.

I noticed zero impact on engine temps, including running heavily laden in the NT at 130kph.

It's not the best pic to show it, but hopefully this will give you a bit of an idea...http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/imagehosting/33464585279684a50a.png

[Blackbulldog]

http://i68.tinypic.com/2iqll6f.jpg
Ok guys I went ahead and did the Ghetto mesh .. Lol

[Blackbulldog]

Part 2http://i65.tinypic.com/a4lpmo.jpg

[NTRubicon]

Gosh you've gone to some trouble there. Good job. Keep an eye on the temp gauge at highway speeds.

[Clarky]

I had boy racer aluminium mesh behind the grille but imo it was restricting air flow. My winch & bar are a huge restriction on there own :lol:. So I purchased an Ablaze Grille from the states, quality is great & its designed to fit. It was expensive but so is a new radiator/engine.
It does a god job of keeping the bugs out.
http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/imagehosting/2558857f45d11249c0.jpghttp://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/imagehosting/2558857f9cb7b0013f.jpg

No my lights don't restrict air flow, they are positioned so only .5" if that is in front of the radiator.(you can see the edge of the radiator to the far right in the second pic)

It still heats up when pushed hard but it cools a lot quicker when you back off.

[TheRealPoMo]

Thanks guys , appreciate it .. I'm just gonna be driving from Melb to NSW so I guess not really needed ... :/
Perhaps I'd just put it on the top grill the 7 holes and leave the bottom ones as they are...
Thanks !

Yeah probably not ....LOL.
Attached photo was taken around Jerilderee about 2 months ago.
Not sure what they are but still cleaning bits off.
http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/imagehosting/34997585b688c56dbd.jpg

[260DET]

Haven't tried it with the Jeep but have previously found that sliding a length of nylon insect screen down between the radiator and grille always did the trick. No apparent airflow problems and clean radiators able to do their job.