Hood Latches and Grille Blocks

[TurnpikeCruiser]

Question for y'all aero gurus.

I would like to make a grille block for my '94 F150. Preferably, I'd like to just make everything flush from the outside and block out the entire grille as there's plenty of gaps to allow air through...

However, to open my hood I have to reach through the upper grille hole to pop the latch and there's no other way to open the hood. So I'd either have to leave that uncovered or create a removable panel. How have y'all tackled this?

[redpoint5]

Nobody who intends to drive their vehicle with gasoline would block out the entire grill, so that is how people have tackled that problem. Your 150 absolutely needs some open grill space because the few gaps you speak of are insufficient.

Based on my reading, it seems most popular to do a lower grill block and leave the upper grill open. I intend to do a lower block myself when I get the time. It's important to monitor engine temperatures when performing these mods.

[Frank Lee]

I left a space around the handle so I could reach it. I also ducted from one grille opening to the trans cooler.

[TurnpikeCruiser]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I left a space around the handle so I could reach it. I also ducted from one grille opening to the trans cooler.

Frank, would you happen to have a picture of your grille block?

Found a picture of your truck with the extended air dam. I may have to browse Lowes to find some edging myself...but I gotta get around to putting the stock air dam back on. You have a sharp ninth gen!

[TurnpikeCruiser]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Nobody who intends to drive their vehicle with gasoline would block out the entire grill, so that is how people have tackled that problem. Your 150 absolutely needs some open grill space because the few gaps you speak of are insufficient.

Based on my reading, it seems most popular to do a lower grill block and leave the upper grill open. I intend to do a lower block myself when I get the time. It's important to monitor engine temperatures when performing these mods.

I guess from just browsing the site, looking at all the cars getting full grille blocks, I assumed that I'd just do the same thing. The truck is mostly a winter commuter/miscellaneous hauler for now and regularly sees a 50 mile one-way commute. With only having one grille, I imagine that a 2/3 grille block might be the way to go?

[Frank Lee]

Surely you have something more economical to commute with?

[TurnpikeCruiser]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Surely you have something more economical to commute with?

I do. Two more economical vehicles actually. I own a 2008 Chevy HHR, but my girlfriend uses that as her daily driver. And a 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis, which I get mid-20 mpgs out of. But the truck is the winter commuter, I'm trying to protect the Marquis from the snow and salt.

I do what I can to hypermile, and have been getting 17-18mpg out of the truck with a full bed cap. Plus, working for the railroad, I drive into work once and work two days. So I only drive ~300 miles my six day work week. I was car pooling with a coworker, but we're on different schedules now. I'm hoping it'll fall back into place again, as that cut the mileage even more.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by TurnpikeCruiser

Question for y'all aero gurus.

I would like to make a grille block for my '94 F150. Preferably, I'd like to just make everything flush from the outside and block out the entire grille as there's plenty of gaps to allow air through...

However, to open my hood I have to reach through the upper grille hole to pop the latch and there's no other way to open the hood. So I'd either have to leave that uncovered or create a removable panel. How have y'all tackled this?

On my Dodge,I actually made a nose extension to give some desperately needed corner radii.The grille-block was designed into the nose,and all I do is reach up the open inlet to the hood release.

[Frank Lee]

I couldn't detect any aero improvement via better fuel economy with an aero winter front. It almost has to be doing some aero good, but don't think that if you get 18, suddenly you will get 19 or more. The main thing it does is promote fast warm-up and also retains heat far better between commutes.

[bikin' Ed]

On my Dakota, the hood latch has to be pulled down. I attached a piece of plastic tubing to the inside of the grille with nylon wire ties. Then attached a piece of semi rigid wire to the latch. I fed the wire thru the tube to the bottom of the grill. Make a small loop in the end of the wire and hang it between the bumper and grille. A pull on the loop does the trick.