Grill Block for Ford Ranger

[MPGranger]

Okay so I want to start my first modification on my truck and decided to do the grill block. I just looked at my grill and it's a massive hole! How do I even attempt blocking anything like that?

I've also seen a lot of threads with owners running mock ups before making something more permanent. What materials would be good for the job? And can you explain it in smaller words so the new guy can follow? Sometimes I think I need a chemistry degree to know what is what.

[lowglider]

Try black duct tape for starters and if you see positive results then start thinking about something more permanent that also looks good.

[Weather Spotter]

I tried using cardboard then tape over it. if you like how that works then you can make one from metal or coloplast.

[JRMichler]

I first tried cardboard. It lasted about an hour, because the rain started right after installing the cardboard. Cardboard grille blocks are like rain dances that actually work.

Then I used part of a roll of two inch wide masking tape. That worked well enough to show proof of concept, but was ugly to look at.

Then I put on a piece of 3M window film. I used the exterior grade because it's twice as thick as the interior grade. The original window film has been on for almost two years now.

[MPGranger]

Okay, so I acquired some pretty hefty cardboard and I got some materials to waterproof said cardboard. My question is now, what is the most effective way to stencil the shape onto the cardboard so I can cut out the insert?

[JRMichler]

Just cut a piece that is too large. Then slowly trim until it fits.

[MPGranger]

Okay, so I lost my patience with the cardboard in less than half an hour! So I just used some handy-dandy 100 MPH tape, that's green duct tape to those not in the military. So the entire grill is covered and the only opening that is left is the one in the bumper. I noticed that there are two horizontal depressions, one above the Ford decal and the other below, that correspond with a head light to head light gap in the grill. The gaps to the left and the right of the decal are not noticeable so I will find a way to support the top and bottom gaps, I still have plenty of cardboard, for phase 2 of the project.

Any advice?

[Clev]

Originally Posted by MPGranger

Any advice?

Can you post a couple of pics?

[MPGranger]

Here you go, sorry about the delay! Don't tell Apple, but my iPhone4's camera doesn't work! Have to borrow the wife's.

[MPGranger]

So my FWT on the good old scangauge is barely hitting over 200 on my 20 mile daily commute, but if I go about 6 miles, from my house to my wife's work, the engine isn't even warmed up! SG is saying 40 MPG to my work and 30 MPG to her work, and a good chunk of the trip is IDENTICAL!

I'm thinking more of that duct tape to cover the lower opening for the radiator; let's just use the gaps in the body work to cool it down. Anybody have any advice?