Adding grill mesh ahead of active shutters in bumper?

[BuzzLightning]

Hey there,

Has anyone added or considered adding grill mesh ahead of the active shutters in the lower front bumper? Less than 200 miles I already have a small dent in the radiator. I'm thinking grill mesh (nothing too fine) may help deflect/slow down road debris without hurting cooling capacity. Thoughts?

Thanks,
Chris

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[It's Just Me]

I just did a search and found your post. I came across this little fella the other day and am taking a chance on it. Mostly for aesthetics, but also some level of protection against an errant rock or debris. Otherwise it's just a big, gaping maw on the front of the truck.

Should be here this week:


https://www.radiatorgrillstore.com/product-page/2022-2023-ford-lightning-ev-radiator-grilles

The install video is a bit.....hokey but it does the job:

 

[Skidrowe]

Someone posted a link to this expanded aluminum that's covered with a black rubbery coating in another thread, so I grabbed some. Then I grabbed some of this tile trim.

I measured the top and bottom opening and then cut the expanded aluminum to match. Then I pushed it in the hole from the bottom and began cutting the corners to fit. I kept guessing and checking until it fit right. Then I cut the tile trim to length with an angle grinder and then used my belt sander to curve the corners of the bottom piece. I bolted the expanded aluminum to the tile trim pieces on the top and bottom using stainless steel bolts, washers, and nylon lock nuts. I wanted this support on the top and bottom because I didn't want it to be able to be pushed back into the shutters in any way. Then I drilled two holes on the lip of plastic on the left and right hand sides. I used these holes to zip tie the rock guard into place. I had originally intended to bolt it, but there is no access to the backside once the screen is in place. So I couldn't get a wrench back there to hold the nut.

 

[O’Majestic1’slightnigF150]

I asked about this in another post this week to someone with 50k miles on gravel. The response wan no problem with the cooler fins or paint. I have a ‘99 F350 ranch truck, 200k miles with a similar located coolant radiator. Ranch truck means it’s on roads that are 2 wheel tracks sometimes with small brush, grasses, weeds… growing up between the tracks. The ‘99 has a few dings n dents but overall it’s amazing for the years n miles how well it looks. I’m not going to worry about the Lightning or Mach E.

 

[Skidrowe]

I asked about this in another post this week to someone with 50k miles on gravel. The response wan no problem with the cooler fins or paint. I have a ‘99 F350 ranch truck, 200k miles with a similar located coolant radiator. Ranch truck means it’s on roads that are 2 wheel tracks sometimes with small brush, grasses, weeds… growing up between the tracks. The ‘99 has a few dings n dents but overall it’s amazing for the years n miles how well it looks. I’m not going to worry about the Lightning or Mach E.

I've known people with an intercooler in the same place for a turbo or supercharger who have had a rock hit exactly on the tube between the fins and develop pinhole leak that causes it to slowly lose coolant from the coolant loop. The entire intercooler had to be replaced because they don't spot weld that stuff closed. Most people just end up with bent cooling fins that reduce the airflow through the intercooler and thus reduce the cooling efficiency of it. a few dents are negligeable. However I imagine that one that's totally smashed up after a few 100k miles will have a noticeable reduction in its efficacy. So I consider this a cheap long term investment that also prevents an expensive repair that admittedly has a very low chance of occurring.

 

[butterfb]

I just did this after watching the previous shown video. I bought a large mesh piece for $20, cut it out, and installed it same way they note with zip ties, I like the look.

 

[It's Just Me]

I have to say that I still look at the truck and this is one of the best and most subtle mods I've done. That huge hole in the bumper just looks so much better with this mesh on it.

 

[Lightning Rod]

I just did a search and found your post. I came across this little fella the other day and am taking a chance on it. Mostly for aesthetics, but also some level of protection against an errant rock or debris. Otherwise it's just a big, gaping maw on the front of the truck.

Should be here this week:


https://www.radiatorgrillstore.com/product-page/2022-2023-ford-lightning-ev-radiator-grilles

The install video is a bit.....hokey but it does the job:

I just ordered one.

Thanks!

 

[It's Just Me]

I hope you like it. It's overpriced but I appreciate it more and more. Just adds a nice subtle look.

Might I suggest these as well:

https://twraps.com/products/grille-strips-for-ford-f-150-lightning?variant=43997721297203


It makes the grille a bit less of a solid gray wall.

 

[asianman35]

I just did this after watching the previous shown video. I bought a large mesh piece for $20, cut it out, and installed it same way they note with zip ties, I like the look.

where did you get the mesh from?

 

[butterfb]

where did you get the mesh from?

I got it from ebay, you can find mesh anywhere including home depot but I liked this price the best.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/355023984662

 

[asianman35]

I got it from ebay, you can find mesh anywhere including home depot but I liked this price the best.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/355023984662

awesome, thanks, does anyone have the measurements we need to cut?

 

[butterfb]

21.5 inches by 8 inches

 

[broteus7]

How hard is it to cut the mesh?

 

[butterfb]

How hard is it to cut the mesh?

Its plastic, you can you dykes or garage scissors.

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