Protecting Ecoboost Intercooler
#173
Sorry for not getting back sooner...ya thats the factory for the Lariat Chrome Package, just like gtousey said.
Just finished a 4600 km road trip and sooo happy I have the intercooler grille. Hit a grouse going 100 km/hr right where the hole would have been. Poooof a pile of feathers flew everywhere and just a couple chips off the intercooler grille, which I painted over. You could see right where the grouse hit and for sure it would have been in there!!
I just replaced the front licence plate with just a bumper insert. Luckily no licence plate needed up here!! I think its a cleaner look and like it alot.
Just finished a 4600 km road trip and sooo happy I have the intercooler grille. Hit a grouse going 100 km/hr right where the hole would have been. Poooof a pile of feathers flew everywhere and just a couple chips off the intercooler grille, which I painted over. You could see right where the grouse hit and for sure it would have been in there!!
I just replaced the front licence plate with just a bumper insert. Luckily no licence plate needed up here!! I think its a cleaner look and like it alot.
#174
Ecoboost Grille Cover
I found this and bought it. Free shipping too!
http://www.streetsideauto.com/p/carr...luminum-44383/
http://www.streetsideauto.com/p/carr...luminum-44383/
#176
Member
Well I was skeptical about intercooler being damaged.....must have cursed myself cause the Ford Edge that also sits in the garage had some AC issues....as in none.
Little lady took it in and they found a small dent in the condenser that clearly showed had punctured thru.
The Edge has a pretty small grill opening to get thru so it must have been a very lucky shot indeed....very small dent too but it hit in the right...er wrong spot!
$1300 later she has AC back.
So now Im thinking if it can happen with the Edge grill and its opening then it surely has better odds of happening with the big gap on the F150.
Factor in the amount of crap they throw on the roads up here in the winter and Im putting some protection on for sure....
Little lady took it in and they found a small dent in the condenser that clearly showed had punctured thru.
The Edge has a pretty small grill opening to get thru so it must have been a very lucky shot indeed....very small dent too but it hit in the right...er wrong spot!
$1300 later she has AC back.
So now Im thinking if it can happen with the Edge grill and its opening then it surely has better odds of happening with the big gap on the F150.
Factor in the amount of crap they throw on the roads up here in the winter and Im putting some protection on for sure....
#178
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 25
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I just placed an order on Amazon for this Grille Insert, nice price, though it is not sold directly by Amazon so I had to pay shipping...$8.99. I'll post an update with photos once I install it.
"Brand New '09-11 Ford F-150 Lower Bumper Polished Aluminum Billet Grille Insert"
$35.99
In Stock
Sold by: Auto Restylist
"Brand New '09-11 Ford F-150 Lower Bumper Polished Aluminum Billet Grille Insert"
$35.99
In Stock
Sold by: Auto Restylist
Last edited by camdives; 08-08-2011 at 09:31 PM.
#179
Senior Member
In addition to a stone and bird guard, you may want to consider a bug screen. I must have run through a swarm of bugs 'cause the rads and intercooler were a mess. Can't be good for cooling.
After picking out most of the wee beasties, I got some black Al window screen and mounted it inside with black nylon cable ties (3 on bottom of intercooler hole, 2 on the sides of the rad on the hood bumpers, 2 on top of the rad through the rubber thingies on each side, and two on the top/centre of rad on the release cables). A little folding around the edges strengthens it, and I made a couple of cuts for the release cable and block heater wire.
You don't notice it from the outside, and it doesn't interfere with anything. Might even stop/slow the smaller missiles.
After picking out most of the wee beasties, I got some black Al window screen and mounted it inside with black nylon cable ties (3 on bottom of intercooler hole, 2 on the sides of the rad on the hood bumpers, 2 on top of the rad through the rubber thingies on each side, and two on the top/centre of rad on the release cables). A little folding around the edges strengthens it, and I made a couple of cuts for the release cable and block heater wire.
You don't notice it from the outside, and it doesn't interfere with anything. Might even stop/slow the smaller missiles.