Roll Call Alaska 2013
Just thought I'd start a thread regarding who will be starting up to Alaska in 2013. It would be nice if we could share information so everyone has a memorable and safe trip. We will be leaving aroun...
Forum Discussion
Yes on the hardware cloth. I use it all the time, whether we are headed for Alaska or not. Just too much road debris that can get kicked up by other vehicles. Plus it will keep the larger bugs out of the radiator, such as bees, butterflies, dragon flies,etc.
I buy it at Home Depot or Lowes. Comes in rolls in various heights. Less than $10 for the amount needed. Cut to fit with a pair of wire clippers, I use aviation snips for cutting the stuff. Wear leather gloves as the cut ends are so sharp to handle. Then I use plastic zip ties to secure it to the back side of the grill. From outside the only thing showing are the zip ties unless you look closely. On my current truck, I also bought a finer fiberglass screen from Cabelas to keep out the smaller bugs and especially cotton wood tree fuzz. That stuff can be like snow in places on the way up in the summer time. Then I keep a small whisp broom under the driver's seat and sweep off the screen at every fuel stop. So far haven't had any over heating problems with the engine. This outside screen is a snap on/off type so would be easy to take it off if need be. Want to say it is a Fia brand.
If you use the "cloth" make sure you go low enough to cover the lower radiator area as well as some hang down a bit below the front bumper.
The stuff is called hardware cloth but in reality it is galvanized metal mesh wire.
Hardware cloth comes in 1/8, 1/4 and 1/2 inch sizes locally that I have seen. I prefer the quarter inch.
Here is what it looks like with a quarter on it for comparison.
And I had a new roll in my shop that is 24 inches high and 10 ft long on this roll.
I buy it at Home Depot or Lowes. Comes in rolls in various heights. Less than $10 for the amount needed. Cut to fit with a pair of wire clippers, I use aviation snips for cutting the stuff. Wear leather gloves as the cut ends are so sharp to handle. Then I use plastic zip ties to secure it to the back side of the grill. From outside the only thing showing are the zip ties unless you look closely. On my current truck, I also bought a finer fiberglass screen from Cabelas to keep out the smaller bugs and especially cotton wood tree fuzz. That stuff can be like snow in places on the way up in the summer time. Then I keep a small whisp broom under the driver's seat and sweep off the screen at every fuel stop. So far haven't had any over heating problems with the engine. This outside screen is a snap on/off type so would be easy to take it off if need be. Want to say it is a Fia brand.
If you use the "cloth" make sure you go low enough to cover the lower radiator area as well as some hang down a bit below the front bumper.
The stuff is called hardware cloth but in reality it is galvanized metal mesh wire.
Hardware cloth comes in 1/8, 1/4 and 1/2 inch sizes locally that I have seen. I prefer the quarter inch.
Here is what it looks like with a quarter on it for comparison.
And I had a new roll in my shop that is 24 inches high and 10 ft long on this roll.
