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Winter Grill Cover

8.1HD/ALLISON

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8.1HD/ALLISON Senior Enthusiast

8.1HD/ALLISON

Posted
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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. newtruckpics115.jpgnewtruckpics116.jpg

Shaners Senior Enthusiast

Shaners

Posted
Posted

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 Senior Enthusiast

8.1HD/ALLISON

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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 Senior Enthusiast

dewfpo

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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 Enthusiast

sceptre

Posted
Posted

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 Senior Enthusiast

KMGZ400

Posted
Posted

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

 

 

love the skynrd flag!

8.1HD/ALLISON Senior Enthusiast

8.1HD/ALLISON

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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 Senior Enthusiast

RyanbabZ71

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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 Enthusiast

Shawn T

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

  • 2 weeks later...
dwags Enthusiast

dwags

Posted
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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.

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