An Invisible and Inexpensive Bug Screen

[56Nomad]

After getting back from Rendezvous IV, the front
of my truck was covered in bug parts and bug splatter.
With 4 "layers" of fins in the radiator area, it was a
mess and very difficult to clean.

After seeing how Ivan used screening and silver duct
tape to effectively keep the bug debris out of the radiator
area on his GMC.......... I wanted to do the same, but
instead, I put the screening on the inside of the grille.

This was my solution:

1. Take off the top plastic shroud (pop up 7 plastic buttons)
2. Remove grille (turn 5 plastic hold downs and remove one bolt)
3. Take a piece of black bug screen 3.5' x 2' and stretch it
over the 5 plastic pegs on the back of the grille piece. That
holds it taut and snugly in place
4. Cut small openings in the screening where the hold downs are
located.
5. Cut edges of the screening to fit only the interior grille area.
6. Replace the grille, then the shroud.

Total Cost: $1.98 Easy to install.

The bug screen is completely hidden, and when it gets
clogged with bugs, pop off the top plastic shroud and use
air or a water jet to clean it. :D

[LA DMAX]

That's a dandy idea 56. I may just do that pretty soon. Thanks

LA DMAX

[TimofCharlotte]

I'd have to agree. I'm soon to drive back to NC from Florida and the bugs are thicker'n thieves.

I already bought the screen material, but hadn't decided how to attach it. I was just gonna try putting it over the front and tying down with some cable ties, but your solution sounds more deserving a fine truck as we all own.

Good job 56.

Thanks.

[GMFAN70]

Actually, we don't have any bugs in Oregon but in case I had to leave the state, where does one buy the bug screen?

[56Nomad]

Hello GMFAN70,

You can pick up this black plastic bug screen
at any hardware store. They cut it from a roll.

Do you live on the coast????

[odoh]

What? No bugs in OR? Last week we smacked a few along the Columbia around The Dalles. Nothing compared to William/Yuba/Marysville CA tho. ~ odoh

[Diverguy]

There's a cheaper, easier and more invisible method yet. Spray the front end of your truck down with PAM or any other non stick cooking spray and the bugs just fall off when you wash the truck.

[GMFAN70]

56 Nomad: Thanks, I'll check out our local Bimart. Grants Pass is about 90 mi. inland and 60 mi north of the big C. We're not on the coast but we have the Rogue River!

Odoh: I may have exaggerated just a little, little!!

Dguy: PAM works for me on my barbecue grill, but my truck grill?? Makes sense for the outside, but how about all those "inside" grills? Does it really help there? Thanks!

[tonkater]

the insect screening will cut down on air flow through the area covered by it , although the loss man not be as bad as those nasty insects. If pam works , I'll buy a case next time I am in costco !!

[56Nomad]

tonkater,

I see no difference in my temps with the
screening on. If it gets loaded up with
bugs, it probably would make a difference.

It sure is easier to clean the screening
than trying to get bug parts out of the fins.

I wouldn't put "Pam" any place but in the
frying pan :D "409", "Nature's Orange" or
Turtle Wax "Bug&Tar" easily remove bugs
from the front of the truck.

I also would suspect that "Pam" in the fins
would end up being a big mess over a period
of time.

If I notice any difference in temps or other
problems I'll let everyone know.

[ 03-14-2003: Message edited by: 56Nomad ]</p>

[56Nomad]

Back to the top.......

I changed out my bug screen with new
material after about 15,000 miles on it.

Lots of bugs and other debris was prevented
from clogging my fins.

Easy to do and costs pennies......

Pictures at:

http://community.webshots.com/album/66442811RZerfP

[Viking]

I have used screening on my 94 6.5 and now on the 6.6. By keeping the bugs out of the fins it will operate at the normal temps when running at 18,000# gcvwr and 90'F. It also slows down small stones. Mine is held in place with small rare earth magnets.

[roegs]

I think this is a great idea. My dad always used to run bug screens on his cars....said it was much easier to rinse the bugs off of the screen with a hose than to clean them off of the radiator fins.

Is the screen being put over the radiator, or is it being attached behind the grill (does it attach to the radiator, or grill)?

Also, once the top plastic shroud is removed, could I place a thin piece of vinyl in front of the radiator for winter operation? Here in MN I'd just keep the radiator covered all winter (I don't tow in the winter), and would not have to hassle with the GM grill cover.

[ 03-15-2003: Message edited by: roegs ]</p>

[Jim Cobler]

Why not use 1/8" or 1/4" hail screen. It would stop insects and not reduce air flow as much plus it would last indefinitely. Could be spray flat black without much trouble.

[Redhawk]

The hail screen sounds like a good idea. I would worry about the durability of plastic. Around here the bugs cause door dings.

[NutNbutGMC]

I tried Pam years ago. It is a total mess. Took me weeks to rid of any trace of it. It's worse than trying to get the glycol-based solution out of the windshield from Rain-X. Both are nasty products IMHO.

[NWDmax]

Hey Nutnbutgmc,I thought I was the only one that hates Rain-x.I've tried that stuff twice and all it does is make the rain "smear" across the windshield.I followed the directions to a T and it still doesn't work.With all the people I've talked to that like it I thought I was nuts but guess I'm not the only one.Misery loves company!
Sorry for the off topic post but couldn't help it.
Blake :eek:

[56Nomad]

roegs wrote:

&gt;Is the screen being put over the radiator, or is it
&gt;being attached behind the grill (does it attach to the radiator, or grill)?

......Roegs, the screen material is attached directly to the
......inside of the plastic grille, not the radiator.

&gt;Also, once the top plastic shroud is removed, could I place
&gt;a thin piece of vinyl in front of the radiator for winter operation?
&gt;Here in MN I'd just keep the radiator covered all winter (I don't
&gt;tow in the winter), and would not have to hassle with the GM
&gt;grill cover.

......That does not sound like a good solution to me, although here
.......in sunny California, we really don't have that issue to deal with.

Jim Cobler wrote:

&gt;Why not use 1/8" or 1/4" hail screen. It would stop insects
&gt;and not reduce air flow as much plus it would last indefinitely.
&gt;Could be spray flat black without much trouble.

......Jim, I used the black vinyl bug screen cuz it captures even
......the real small bugs and crap. It really worked very well.
........I'd think the 1/8" or 1/4" hail screen would let
.......too many of the small bugs thru.

Redhawk wrote:

&gt;The hail screen sounds like a good idea. I would worry about the
&gt;durability of plastic. Around here the bugs cause door dings.

......Redhawk, the screening I used held up for 15,000 miles. I could
......have left it in much longer. This vinyl screen really holds up well.
......It also stops big and small bugs. If we travel thru an area with
......lots of bugs, I'll hose them off the screen when I wash the truck.

[ 03-16-2003: Message edited by: 56Nomad ]</p>

[56Nomad]

I've added two pictures which should clear up
any confusion as to how the vinyl screening is
attached to the grille. After it is stretched on
the grille pegs I trim the excess screening.

See http://community.webshots.com/album/66442811RZerfP

[Jim Cobler]

Hey guys, for the benefit of an accountant, do those plastic fasteners just pop off? Do they break or can they be reused? Is there any trick to it?

Thanks,

[56Nomad]

Hi Jim,

The plastic fasteners pop out. You can use
two flat head screw drivers to pop or lift the inside
part of the fastener...... which will then allow you to remove
the second outside part of this clip.

Two screw drivers will work, however,
I picked up a pair of hooked needle nosed pliers in the "bargin bin"
at the parts store. I filed the ends a bit and it works perfect to
remove the clips without damaging them. This really made the job
a snap. Picture at:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/66562661/66638904xzMrYa

[ 03-17-2003: Message edited by: 56Nomad ]</p>

[sk]

Here's another idea:

Lund makes "ScreenFronts" for the summer and "ColdFronts" for the winter. They come in black (which can be left black or painted) and stainless steel. I use both winter and summer sets on my '94 gasser and love them. They're easy to clean and they just pop into and out of the grill openings. The only drawback I've found is the cost -- the black ScreenFronts run around $35 a set, but you can find them on eBay from time to time for cheaper.

Copy and paste this address into a new window:
http://www.lundlook.com/products/grille/index.html


Scott

[Maverick]

I modified my stock grill winter front with bug screen. Works good for me.

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=551338&uid=437876