Diesel Inner Cooler

[Xterrable]

Some of you may have noticed that the Diesel Trucks have a different lower front valance, Between the tow hooks, the bumper is open to allow air to enter and hit the inner cooler.  I want to add a light bar, and this spot is the only real-estate on the front of our trucks.  The opening will accommodate up to a 20" bar.  That being said, it will block about1/2 - 3/4 of the opening when installed.  Do you think this will impact the inner cooler?

 

The other option is to go smaller.  I can fit a 10" light bar in there, that will block about the same amount of air as the front license plate would, if installed.

 

I wanted to see your opinions before I want head and started looking for mounting options for the 20" bar.

[newdude]

Intercooler.  AKA Charge Air Cooler.

 

The intercooler is mounted on top of the engine.  What you would be restricting air flow to is the auxiliary radiator which is used to cool the coolant going through the intercooler, as well as the coolant through the fuel cooler as well.   

 

IMO, I'd be finding a way to mount one in the main upper grille.  

 

 

Edited March 3, 2021 by newdude

[Xterrable]

I just cant seem to find the real-estate behind the grill with the active grill shutters.  And taking the grill apart is not something I want to do since I am limited to the tools I have on hand while here in Alabama.   (all my stuff is back in PA....)  There does not seem to be anything solid to mount to without building some brackets which I can't where I am at.

 

Also thought about removing the tow hooks to make up for the air flow that I restricted, but if I ever need to be pulled, I'll have no place to latch to...

 

And I dont like the way the hood mounted lights look.  Unless the truck is lifted and modified, they look out of place. 

Edited March 3, 2021 by Xterrable

[gemarsh]

Yeah, I feel your pain. No winching bumper either for the LM2.

 

But no way would I block the inlet by 1/2.

 

Removing tow hooks won't gain you air flow.

[kodiakdenali]

You might be able to improve airflow by removing the tow hooks. surrounding them (for aero) is a rubbery part that they fit through. once the hooks are removed that part can be taken out also leaving an opening in the back. its about 50mmx100mm give or take. but there is also another plastic bezel that can be removed, 2 bolts and one clip. that would increase the size of that opening considerably, probably 2x-3x the area. of course air flowing through that opening would be flowing right into the open end of the frame. you would probably have to fab up some kind of duct to direct the air so it supplements what you lost in the center location. I'm not sure if its worth it, but it could be done. Just throwing ideas out there...

[kodiakdenali]

Another thing to consider though if you want to add more light, if you were willing to lose the tow hooks you could mount some light pods in that location where the hooks were, leave the center opening as is.

You would need to fabricate a mount that would attach where the factory bezel you removed attaches. but its an idea.

 

[Xterrable]

You guys anger me by bursting my bubble.   Haha.  But I appreciate it.  If the grill were easier to remove, I’d try to fab a bracket behind the grill.

[redwngr]

Remove a couple slats from the active shutters.

[redwngr]

Last couple days I've noticed a few around with narrow light bars on top of the bumper, in front of the grill.

Not sure what they were mounted to. (might be thru bumper, might be back thru grill)