With chilly weather, this grill insert thread reminded me to make a DIY radiator blocker for my 08 Riot.
At winter, I made a cardboard block for my late Ford. The blocker shortened the engine warm up time by half; thus saving some gas. Another payoff was at highway speed, heavy snow does not ram into the engine compartment, and wet the electricals. The unexpected benefit was the fine layer of road salt coating the blocker, instead of splashed into the engine.
So this year, I'm doing a black coroplast blocker for the Jeep. Cardboard by itself will warp on dampness. My prototype consist of 3 pieces backed (glued) with cardboard so the coroplast won't touch & deform by the hot rad. The black coroplast is mostly inconspicuous when installed between the grill and the rad.
Each panel is approx. 22" high x 9.75 wide; and inserted upward thru the center slot located under the front license plate. The center slot opening is a narrow rectangle 9.75" wide, with a 10.25" diagonal. The diagonal is very useful for inserting the panel. Each panel sits nicely in the 'groove' forming the lower front bumper rail. Each piece is then slide to each side, with the center piece holding the other 2 in place so that the entire rad is covered, if desired.
To manage over-heating risk, I cut a rectangular air hole in each panel to allow some air flow. The hole is aligned just behind the main horizontal bumper member, to deflect road splash from the panel air hole. I'll be watching the temperature gauge carefully, and if required, I'll just remove one of the panel at roadside. It takes half minute to install/remove each panel.
Last year, I didn't start blocking the rad till Nov. and removed by March.
btw, My riot is a stock Sport model with stock wheels, and non-lifted. The 22" panel height is just right for installation from a flat road. I had to trim a few notches, and corners for fitting. I also glued a few wooden popicle sticks at the bottom of the panel for rigidity.
