'98 Frontier Grill Block

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by dwtaylorpdx

On my Jeep Wrangler (Possibly the worst CD in the history of automobiles... The bug deflector helps my mileage, by about 1 mpg.

I'm surprised to hear that. Got a picture?

[winkosmosis]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I'm surprised to hear that. Got a picture?

Why are you surprised? The windshield is nearly vertical. The deflector would create a fan of air, and I guess flow would hit the windshield near the top.

[ccrider]

on my tacoma which has a pretty much the same grill design i have had the top grill blocked off for almost a year (march 09) and i have not had any issues with overheating and i have done allot of towing and always have weight in the bed. i am actually thinking about covering the lower section. under my tacoma between the bottom of the bumper and the bottom of the radiator there is about a 10" open space and i am hoping that the air will go under the bumper and up in that opening

[Jethro]

I don't know what the access is like behind the grill, but if you carefully patterned the grill opening, you could make it out of whatever material (Sheet metal?).

Make a simple 'stand off' to fit between the fill panel and the actual grill cross bars to make it fit virtually flush.

Use 2 or 4 Carriage bolts through to the back side with some 1.5" fender washers.
If you are really worried about a perfect seal, you could use some rubber door edge guard around the edge to make it almost a pressure fit.

Of course, I'd just cover it in Duct Tape for a week or two to see how it works.

While you're at it, cover those fog light holes too.

[Bow]

Jethro, You read my mind...

I was thinking of cutting a block off out of THING sheet metal (flashing) and recessing it right into the opening..

secure it in the back...

The Fog Light Holes.. I'm thinking of putting in some aftermarket fog lights, then patterning the covers around them...

Headlight covers probably wouldn't hurt either...

[Jethro]

Originally Posted by Bow

Jethro, You read my mind...

I was thinking of cutting a block off out of THING sheet metal (flashing) and recessing it right into the opening..

secure it in the back...

The Fog Light Holes.. I'm thinking of putting in some aftermarket fog lights, then patterning the covers around them...

Headlight covers probably wouldn't hurt either...

The closer to flush you get it (Or Totally, flush, just cut a really smooth edge) the better for areo.

You need to get a 3M Headlight Restoration Kit. Make those headlights clear again. My buddy used it on his wifies Civic it was a night and day difference. I have a kit to use on my 200SX when it warms up. (Snowed 4" today ).

[winkosmosis]

Isn't the bug deflector a small version of this?
TRAIL-EZE II WIND DEFLECTORS - JCWhitney

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by winkosmosis

Why are you surprised? The windshield is nearly vertical.

Ah - my mistake - didn't realize that was the old-school Jeep. (Not really up on Jeep model names.) That's a fairly unique case, so I'd changing my answer to: "not outside the realm of possibility."

[Bow]

Originally Posted by winkosmosis

Isn't the bug deflector a small version of this?
TRAIL-EZE II WIND DEFLECTORS - JCWhitney

ahhh not quite..

mine is contoured to the hood any only has a slight kick-up.

On a Not e to the original subject of my post, I added my Grill Block yesterday. It is a temp to decide and see if it helps.

The water temp never got above 172F

On my 37.1 mile drive to work, the Scangauge reported 25.2 MPG...

[Sean T.]

I would suggest a piece of clear plexiglass that goes all the way from one turn signal to the other. That way it would solve covering the grille, and the headlights, and no aesthetic worries cause it's invisible

Two birds with one stone, right?