2004 Dodge Dakota Grill Block
 

Installed a grill block on my truck today. Some cardboard, duct tape, and zip ties is all it took.

Stock Front
http://ecomodder.com/forum/member-be...tock-front.jpg

First Version
http://ecomodder.com/forum/member-be...rill-block.jpg

Final Version
http://ecomodder.com/forum/member-be...rill-block.jpg

Side View
http://ecomodder.com/forum/member-be...-side-view.jpg

Took the partial lower block off after a decent drive. Temps climbed 15* higher than it normally ran. The electric fan will kick on automatically at that temp.

Turned out good I guess. When I find some Coroplast I will make another one.

I am noticing about a 3% increase in mpg with the grill block on my TSX. I had white coroplast blocking the lower grill and it looked tacky, so I spray painted it black and it isn't noticeable anymore unless you know to look for it. For my upper block, I just used some clear packing tape.

Let us know how much of an improvement in FE you observe.

Cool, some coroplast painted black could clean it quite a bit. For your grill, I'd think that you could block it from the backside no problem, would be nice and stealthy. :thumbup:
I had a duct tape grill block on my Neon, easiest way to start. :D

Check with yer local sign shop to see if there are any scraps you can have... ;)

I will see if I gain any FE. Probably wont do any A-B-A testing. I will see if any long term gains can be noticed though.

I thought about doing it behind the grill, its just got wide fins in the grill, would have pushed the block back about an inch and a half.

I will be going by some sign shops for scrap. Would like to do a Coroplast bed cover as seen on this site in the future.

Later this year the plan is to buy a small car but I still would like to make my truck as efficient as possible as I intend to keep it.

I haven't noticed much of an improvement in my Dakota grille block. I used 1/4 inch Lexan, cut the 4 pieces with a jig saw to conform to the shape of the grille, and held the pieces on with zip ties.

It would appear that grille blocks on a Dakota only really contribute to quicker warm-up times. Then again, that is also a good thing.