2004 Dodge Dakota Grill Block

[Bear32LB]

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

Stock Front


First Version


Final Version


Side View


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.

[redpoint5]

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.

[2000neon]

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.
I had a duct tape grill block on my Neon, easiest way to start.

[BamZipPow]

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

[Bear32LB]

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.

[t vago]

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.