Radiator screen?

[1945GPW]

Anyone using a screen in front of your radiator to keep the bugs and such out of it? Been looking at a couple on quadratec and looking for reviews if anyone’s using them.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Anyone using a screen in front of your radiator to keep the bugs and such out of it? Been looking at a couple on quadratec and looking for reviews if anyone’s using them.

Not me. If it's fine enough to keep the bugs out it could also significantly reduce the air flow through the radiator. That could cause a problem on a hot day. Just my personal opinion.

 

[59 wagon man]

ive had one on my 59 chevy for years and never had any issues. fla lovebug season can be very rough and it is much easier to clean then trying to pull dozens of dead bugs from the radiator fins. now if it got plugged with mud it may be a different story mine is held in with nylon ties so it isn't hard to cut the ties rinse it off and ziptie it back into place.

 

[Jeep9748]

I used expandable metal sheet. cut to fit and then slipped behind the grill, I used small zipties and it allowed ample air flow while keeping larger items and bugs out...

 

[1945GPW]

Keeping the radiator free of large bugs seems like it would keep the jeep cooler than the slight restriction from a screen. I’ve been getting a lot of large bugs in mine so planning to try one this spring. Local buss mechanic says they are one of the best things to install to keep the air flowing through the radiators.

 

[Boinked]

Keeping the radiator free of large bugs seems like it would keep the jeep cooler than the slight restriction from a screen. I’ve been getting a lot of large bugs in mine so planning to try one this spring. Local buss mechanic says they are one of the best things to install to keep the air flowing through the radiators.

If the screen gets plugged with bugs you still have the same problem. Lack of air flow. You would have to remove it and clean it. When my radiator gets bugs i run down to the self service car wash and poof they are gone.
Now if you are looking for a little protection from small pebbles from the guy wheeling in front of you i could see that as an option.

 

[1945GPW]

I’ve had a truck with the screen and the bugs seem to fall off easier once they dry and they don’t get lodged in the radiator where they become more difficult to remove in my opinion.

 

[Boinked]

In all seriousness please let us know how it works out. Theory and real world are often different. I would like to know if it does work.

 

[WDE]

I installed these back in February...https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075HC2HFJ/?tag=wranglerorg-20. The maker was listed as "Opar" when I bought them, but I bet all similar looking ones are from the same Chinese (or wherever) supplier. They were @$30. I have not had any adverse impact on engine cooling that I can tell. They are sturdy even after cutting the edge and making a larger hole in one to run the winch power cables through. They attach with adhesive tape which has held fast through the heat of summer in Alabama, just prep the surface with rubbing alcohol and double check the orientation before sticking. The only issue was peeling off the numerous section of backing on the adhesive tape, it was a PITA. I also painted mine with a semi-flat black paint. The finish on the gloss black was fine, I just preferred it to match the other black parts on my TJ.

 

[tworley]

Ive only ever heard of one instance where dead bugs caused a vehicle to overheat. They were grasshoppers and it was damn near like the plague (no joke, a lot of money was spent by the county to spray them with pesticide). My co worker said his dodge durango started to overheat so he pulled over and noticed his radiator completely clogged. When he peeled them off it was like a sheet of guts and carcasses.

 

[Mike_H]

My co worker said his dodge durango started to overheat so he pulled over and noticed his radiator completely clogged. When he peeled them off it was like a sheet of guts and carcasses.

Um, GROSS!