I washed Elvis today and noticed that her has several dings in the rad. The KR grill seems to let a lot in. So, I'm thinking of puttin' some tough screen behind the grill, in front of the rad. I don't know how those stupid little plastic screws come out! Are they just those push-in kind with no threads? Mine just seem to spin.
What are you guys using to protect the grill? I don't think Elvis wants to wear a bra. He's too liberated for that!

 

Screws that spin? Are you referring to the radiator shroud?

The only trick I've learned on that is to use a flat head screwdriver and pry underneath to the base. Don't attempt to pop it out...just put pressure on it 'straight on'. (not upwards).

Then take your Phillips and attempt to get a bite on them to bring them up and out.

Skagel posted the part number for these rascals because they're VERY easy to break. I've removed mine twice and, luckily, thus far, haven't screwed any of them up.

RP

 

Thanks RockPick I'll try that tonight when I get home.

 

When I got mine out (Careful Skagel) I bought a special trim tool from an accessory store.
It is called a trim clip removal tool (I think...it is 6000 miles away at the moment) and looks like a fork but with only two prongs. These prongs slide in either side of the head of that plastic clip...it's not really a screw at all...and then because the main bit of the tool is curved a simple push downwards and out it pops.

Hope that made sense.....a bit that like thing when you are asked to describe a spiral staircase without using your hands !!

 

Lenny, it is a screw of sorts on mine. The screw portion and the 'clip' portion are two seperate pieces (same part #).

The screw does have threads and prohibits the clip from coming out as it fills the middle void between the sides on the clips thus, when you unscrew the screw, it opens the gap and thus the sides of the clips can be popped inwards and ultimately outwards.

One thing Chaos. Be careful with the flat head if you go that route. The plastic scratches VERY easily. The tool that lenny described sounds like it's made for those little boogers but on the flip side, I don't think buying replacement fasteners would be very exepensive if you broke a few.

RP

 

the trim tool is 7 bucks at kragen, bought one this weekend.

 

I still didn't try it. Hopefully tonight. Sounds like I might sacrafice a fork...

What kind of screen do you reccomend? Screen door kind of stuff? Is it possible to have the holes in the screen too small for the air to properly flow through it? Would you attach it to the front of the rad or to the back of the grill? Metal or plastic screen?
I have a sheet of some really tough screen with 1/4" holes in it. Does that sound too big?

Too many questions for such a stupid mod, I know but... you guys are a wealth of knowledge.

 

Not sure what to tell you on that front... I'd say that you don't want to trestrict flow too much because of the obvious problems that you might encounter with overheatingand such. I think it is a good idea though...

Pkagel, we don't have Kragen. Could you post a picture of the tool and/or the manufacturer/part number? I'm interested in this thing.

Thanks!


RP

 

I just use the screwdriver trick, but with a different approach. I pry between the screw portion and the base portion with a very small flat blade screwdriver to pop the screw up enough to pull straight out. The threads aren't that good at staying in, so once it is raised a little you can just pull them out. Haven't broken one yet either.

 

I just took mine off. Pried them up with an old chisel then got the needle nose pliers under the 'skirt' and pried it up with the needlenose while backing off the screw in the centre.
Going to shop for exactly the right screen now.

 

Let us know what you come up with. I'm curious to hear how you do this as I've notice numerous 'dings' in my radiator as well.

 

OK I went to the hardware store and bought some window screen. I bought the metallic kind - silver. Looks kind of neat through the front of the grill with a silver background.
I put the screen on with wire ties and located it behind the grill, as opposed to in front of the rad. It also covers the transmission cooler and the A/C 'rad'.
Nice mod. Had to drill a couple of holes in the back of the plastic grill for the wire ties, but nothing visible and all plastic parts.

I folded the screen so that there was two layers of screen. I'll let you know if the truck starts to overheat and I have to takeone of the layers away.

 

NICE MOD Chaos! Really nice... very functional.

Let us know how it holds up and how your truck reacts.

RP