Winter Grill Cover

[8.1HD/ALLISON]

So my new truck has the 8.1L ( yes im putting a front on a gasser) and I make a lot of short trips. Only drive 7 miles to work. 1/2 highway 1/2 city. Takes a while to warm up and Ally won't shift into overdrive till shes warmed up a little. I looked and couldn't find much on winter grill covers so I made my own. Took about 2 hours tops, $4 worth of a polyester outdoor fabric( which I have enough left to make a second one). Took the plastic cover off the radiator support, cut holes out in the fabric for the plastic clips, laid the fabric on, reinstalled plastic cover. I folded the bottom of the cover under the grill, took the headlights out and used 3 small bungee cords behind the grill to keep a little tension on it. 2 hours and 4$ later. I am gonna keep a real close eye on it first time out to make sure engine and tranny temps stay in operating range. I left the cover a little short on the ends to let some air in, also left the bumper holes uncovered for air flow. If I need to I will cut a couple holes in the middle if it gets too warm. Here are a couple pics.

[focijoe]

Smart idea. Good work.

[cliobogger]

lol. nice redneck ingenuity at its finest.

[8.1HD/ALLISON]

Heck ya, plus it looks better then a piece of cardboard duct taped on.

[Shaners]

Doubt you will have probs with temps. I have the factory cover on my Dmax which helps tremendously! The tranny warms up faster but never goes over 150. Uncovered the tranny stays cold! My cover blocks 100% of the grill... I don't use the bottom piece that covers the bumper openings.

[8.1HD/ALLISON]

Thanks for the insight! I also forgot to mention I move the ambient air temp sensor down behind the bumper so it would still read true when I have the cover on.

[dewfpo]

A few years ago I picked up a custom fit 'bug screen' for the grille from Cabela's for $19.99. I installed it to try to keep all the bugs out of the radiator, condenser and the tranny cooler but the Allison's temps went up with it on so I took it back off. This of course was in the spring and summer. And that was only a screen. What you've done should help.

 

DEWFPO

[sceptre]

looks good...at least yours stays on nicely. My 2011 winterfront is held on my some fruity little plastic tabs that you push between the grill and the bumper....LOL

 

good work!

[KMGZ400]

not bad.... is there anyway you could mount it on the inside? would be a cleaner look.

 

 

love the skynrd flag!

[8.1HD/ALLISON]

Thanks! Probably could have mounted it behind if I would have done it a little differently. I wasn't too worried about looks. Plus its pretty easy to take off if I need to.

[RyanbabZ71]

Last weekend I seen the best grill cover. It was on an S-10 and the cover was made from a 24 can pack of coors light. Even had the coors logo out

[Shawn T]

Wish I would have known. My Truck came with an extra grill cover. would have just given it 2 ya

[dwags]

Wish I would have known. My Truck came with an extra grill cover. would have just given it 2 ya

 

 

Do you still have that second one? If so, I would be interested in it.

[BrockwayMT]

Looks good!

 

BTW people it's a GRILLE on the truck not a GRILL. I opened the thread and thought it was a winter cover for your barbeque

[8.1HD/ALLISON]

My bad.