[Nasty Wendy]

I see that the intercooler grille is a popular mod. They look good and they boast protection claims as well. This makes me wonder if anyone has had their intercooler damaged due to lack of protection from the factory. If so please chime in and tell the story. If this happens with any kind of frequency it would only make sense to upgrade this mod from a 'maybe one day' status to 'MUST HAVE' status.

 

[SPPD]

No damage here, but I have taken newspaper, plastic bags, and a bunch of assorted road debris out of there. I imagine its only a matter of time before a rock or nail finds that opening and does a number on the intercooler.

SPPD

 

[jonrjen]

I figured that the $40 delivered I spend was plain and simple cheap insurance not to find out.

 

[silverboost]

Haven't had it happen on my Ecoboost, but a pebble went through the grill on my wife's 2013 Accord busting the A/C condenser. $600 later it's fixed, figured I'd go ahead and invest $40 in protecting my truck from this.

 

[Boatwaco]

Here's some pics in a similar thread

http://www.f150ecoboost.net/forum/showthread.php?t=84

 

[Ecoboost2012]

Havent had any problems but thats what ill take it to the dealer for if it does happen

 

[AK-KingBoost]

Nothing's up here yet, just a crap ton of chipped windshield; 3M divots (what would of been chipped paint); and a quarter size hole thru my lower part of my grill (getting new one soon lol) but amazingly nothing in the big gaping open area lol!

 

[Nasty Wendy]

Man you guys got your thinking all wrong. Don't put the grille on now. First let a rock damage the factory IC and then you have REASON to buy an upgraded hi-performance IC...at which point you put the grille on after installing.

 

[akmedic77]

Man you guys got your thinking all wrong. Don't put the grille on now. First let a rock damage the factory IC and then you have REASON to buy an upgraded hi-performance IC...at which point you put the grille on after installing.

I like your way of thinking! Too late though. Already installed a grille...



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[reider03]

 

[akmedic77]

View attachment 1313

I have a '13 FX4. This would look out of place. Is there a match for the new grilles yet?


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[A.Smith]

You can redirect your block heater thru the hole above your tow hook. Looks a little nicer and hides away good when not in use.

 

[1fastbob]

No problems here with debris into the intercooler causing damage. I have yet to see lower grille that I would put on my Lariat. They are just ugly and cheap. I might just make my own.

 

[Tremor]

I've seen one intercooler damaged from a rock (big one to lol) at my dealer. But it is def not a very common thing. I still put a mesh grill in mine though. Much better safer than sorry.


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[iaflatlander]

37,000 on the truck. 11,000+ of it to Alaska and back. No damage yet. Will upgrade if it happens.

 

[Btrow]

View attachment 1313

I really like the look of boost bars but not liking the fact some peoples bars are coming loose and will not stay in and tight.

 

[outlaw25]

I love the way people think now a day. I'll wait until something happens then worry about it.
If there is damage due to road debris it is not covered under any of the Ford warranties. According the Ford service dept manager I asked.
I spent the $40 for the black aluminum grill. No matter what type of truck you have you can't go wrong with the black one since everything around the opening is black.

 

[Straight Shooter]

I bought my new 2013 Friday and put one on sat.

 

[outlaw25]

I've got the same style as your but different brand.
As I said no matter what color truck you have that looks like it belongs there.
The big hole that Ford left, not so much. what were they thinking?

 

[fordecoboost]

I've got the same style as your but different brand. As I said no matter what color truck you have that looks like it belongs there. The big hole that Ford left, not so much. what were they thinking?

Engineering test have shown that if the inter cooler opening was just restricted 15% from air flow it could cause drive ability issues
That is why the opening in the bumper is there