Thanks Fdup!

Gives me something to do when I get the CAI project started.
Went to HD tonight and picked up some mesh ($4.99 CDN)
Also had to pick up some metal snips since I didn't have 'em... ($9.99 CDN)

I already have the paint, which is great.
I'll get that started tomorrow with the paint.

I haven't decided if I'll be taking the stock grille out, or if I'll go the mesh-only route.
I'll decide tomorrow.


As a note, this tank is still not at the "empty" line, and I'm at 485 KM (301 miles).
I'll have to fill up tomorrow, but that's already a huge improvement (roughly 60km)

I don't know if it's related but it's definitely a damn good improvement no matter what.
I expect when I start the truck up tomorrow morning, and head to work that it'll hit the empty line, leading to an early morning fill up.

I'll take some pics of the project as I go.

 

I have leaf style cause I also use them for valve adjustments but either work well.

 

thanks, I'll pick one up soon...
didn't get to the auto parts store today and not in a big rush, since I won't be doing the plugs (if I have to at all) until sometime next month.

 

Two things:

1) I like it. It doesn't look to restrict airflow, but it'll still help absorb and block the heat from the engine bay.

2) I'm pretty sure the heat shield was on the wifey's van for a reason. Maybe it should be put back? Or you can continue to pirate parts from wifey Heat shields generally are there to prolong life of components and/or prevent damage to carpeted or painted surfaces.

 

I ended up cutting my fins out since the grill would NOT come out, the bolts that hold it in were too rusty and I didn't want to break anything.

Here's some pics... (They're not the greatest pics, but that's what you get from a blackberry...)
excuse the dirty truck... I need to wash and wax her soon.

Fins removed


Fitting before paint






Final Product






Hood Latch - metal hangers are handy...





In hind sight I should have taken the 5 minute trip to the store to pick up some black zips... and as such I might just remove everything and do it again some time down the road with black zips but for now I don't care too much, you barely notice unless you're looking for it anyway.

I still need to do the valance but I need to figure out how to keep the mesh in place on that part... there's nothing really that I can see to fasten the mesh to in the valance... any insight would be appreciated.

I'm thinking I'm still going to wrap the hoses, and pipes up with something before I do the intake and heat shield, while I don't expect anything to get through the mesh as it is, better safe than sorry.

 

I picked up a full set of feeler gauges for $2 from Harbor Freight Tools the other day. I love that store. Here is their site as well.

http://www.harborfreight.com/

 

wow.

That's a cheap place.

stupid Canada and the over priced everything

 

Yeah the store is couple miles down the road from me. Good prices but not everything is good quality

 

Well yeah, but some common sense and skepticism will get you through

 

I put the mesh behind my stock grill today and now I am comfortable with taking the rubber guard off. Now hopefully my air filter will get a bit more air flow from the outside world.

Picture of the halfway point with the grill to give a contrast.
Photo0295-1.jpg


I'll check the air filter on my intake during my next rainy drive to see how it's doing and make sure it's not getting soaked or anything.