Easy Configurable Grille Block.

[ThermionicScott]

Fall and spring are the times of year when I often have to check the forecast to decide whether to drive with a full or partial grille block. The full block warms my car up quickly, but any trip over 5 miles on a warm-ish day causes the radiator fan to cycle on and off for the rest of my trip. Not ideal. The lower grille block I've been using is held on by the license plate, so it's not horrible to remove, but it could be more convenient:



I love the threads here on adjustable grille blocks that are controlled by Arduinos, choke cables, thermostats, wind speed, and what have you, but I'm far too lazy to see one of those projects all the way through. So here's what I just made: the lower grille block has large windows cut into it for warmer days, and Velcro-clad squares can be stuck on for colder days:



With the squares off:


And squares on:


Should be just the thing for cold mornings paired with warm afternoons, or groups of errands.

[Daox]

Looks good. I'd be interested in hearing how long that velcro adhesive holds up. Hopefully quite a while!

[ThermionicScott]

Thanks! The adhesive seems pretty strong, and it doesn't have to do a lot of work holding one piece of coroplast to another, so I'm hoping it holds up.

[oldtamiyaphile]

Originally Posted by Daox

Looks good. I'd be interested in hearing how long that velcro adhesive holds up. Hopefully quite a while!

If you use an industrial type adhesive, it's no different to what holds OEM badges and trim to your car, so it should last 10-20 years.

My 'sub roof' is held to my van roof with 3M industrial Velcro (it's not hook and loop, it's hook and hook and actually clicks together) for about a year and a half so far.

[oil pan 4]

That's pretty nice.
My leaf needs this.

[Nedlom]

I guess I'm even lazier than you Scott - I've got cutouts that I just sick black gaffer tape over

Good work dude.

[19bonestock88]

I’m even lazier than that; my grille blocking is black strapping tape lol...

Really though I like the idea of it being modular like that

[ThermionicScott]

I used my block heater this morning, first time since last winter. It's only good for about 50-60°F over ambient, which was 38°F this morning, but it was enough of a head start that my radiator fan cycled once as I approached work. I probably should have left one of the squares off.

Averaged almost 23 MPG, where any drive in over 20 MPG is a good trip. (Drive home is almost always higher since it's warmer by then.)

These things work!

[tervic]

I like this idea for the grill block!

Curious, where do you find the black coroplast? I admit that I haven't put much effort into the search, but all I've seen so far is white coroplast. I'm guessing paint may not be real durable on the plastic. Black looks like a far better color to use if I can find some.

[ThermionicScott]

Originally Posted by tervic

I like this idea for the grill block!

Curious, where do you find the black coroplast? I admit that I haven't put much effort into the search, but all I've seen so far is white coroplast. I'm guessing paint may not be real durable on the plastic. Black looks like a far better color to use if I can find some.

Thanks!

My first one was a spray-painted yard sign, but I ended up buying a sheet of coroplast at Home Depot. There should be plenty of leftover yard signs in a couple weeks.