Wide open gap in front grill...What is Ford thinking?

[SSingh1975]

I'm only a week in now with my new Tremor and finally noticed the wide gap in the front grill. Below is a random google picture with the grill cover that's available aftermarket.

Actually, at first, I thought the grill cover was simply missing so I texted my sales rep and he was puzzled too. Then he went out to the lot and checked the other rangers and all of them had the same look so he said it's from factory. He asked the Service folks and was told that Ford left this open for airflow to the intercooler.

I mean I'm not a qualified Ford engineer but why would they leave a gaping hole right in the front of the grill? Over time, debris (Especially when off-roading) would easily get in the intercooler, I would think. If people are already buying 3rd party grill inserts to cover this up, isn't this a after-thought from Ford during the design process?

Or maybe I'm just paranoid..lol.
cheers!

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[Vitis805]

Definitely paranoid. The Ranger has been thoroughly tested offroad, and the global Rangers that have been out for almost a decade have a similar gap. No issues from any owner worldwide about that gap AFAIK.

 

[9zero1790]

that open gap works great as a place for wires, lights and whatever else people put on trucks.

 

[canyonslicker]

It looks like that’s also where the adaptive cruise control radar sensor goes too… do you really wanna block it? Also apparently you seem to like to be right behind someone that’s kicking up rocks and other debris.. if not then what’s the worry?? Yeah snow will cause it to malfunction but other than that I don’t know what to say…

 

[Rinn69]

Just get one of these. I backed it up with some SS mesh to keep the rocks from getting through.
https://www.stage3motorsports.com/8...grille-insert-wo-adaptive-cruise-control.html

 

[OregonRangerTremor]

I'm only a week in now with my new Tremor and finally noticed the wide gap in the front grill. Below is a random google picture with the grill cover that's available aftermarket.

Actually, at first, I thought the grill cover was simply missing so I texted my sales rep and he was puzzled too. Then he went out to the lot and checked the other rangers and all of them had the same look so he said it's from factory. He asked the Service folks and was told that Ford left this open for airflow to the intercooler.

I mean I'm not a qualified Ford engineer but why would they leave a gaping hole right in the front of the grill? Over time, debris (Especially when off-roading) would easily get in the intercooler, I would think. If people are already buying 3rd party grill inserts to cover this up, isn't this a after-thought from Ford during the design process?

Or maybe I'm just paranoid..lol.
cheers!

The center on mine has a sensor....this is what I did to the right and to the left of it:

 

[Dave1899]

This is the one I put on mine and it does not interfere with the front sensor.

 

[KJRR]

I mean I'm not a qualified Ford engineer but why would they leave a gaping hole right in the front of the grill? Over time, debris (Especially when off-roading) would easily get in the intercooler, I would think. If people are already buying 3rd party grill inserts to cover this up, isn't this a after-thought from Ford during the design process?

Or maybe I'm just paranoid..lol.
cheers!

Ford was thinking "pickup guys like to customize thier rides with lights and add-ons, we'll leave this open space here and they'll find something to stick in there."

And just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean a rock won't find its way in there.

 

[amick1995]

I got rid of the gap on mine

 

[paval3]

This is the one I put on mine and it does not interfere with the front sensor.

I have that one too! No problems with it.

 

[halligan1201]

This is the one I put on mine and it does not interfere with the front sensor.

I have the same one and also have no issues with the sensor.

 

[halligan1201]

I'm only a week in now with my new Tremor and finally noticed the wide gap in the front grill. Below is a random google picture with the grill cover that's available aftermarket.

Actually, at first, I thought the grill cover was simply missing so I texted my sales rep and he was puzzled too. Then he went out to the lot and checked the other rangers and all of them had the same look so he said it's from factory. He asked the Service folks and was told that Ford left this open for airflow to the intercooler.

I mean I'm not a qualified Ford engineer but why would they leave a gaping hole right in the front of the grill? Over time, debris (Especially when off-roading) would easily get in the intercooler, I would think. If people are already buying 3rd party grill inserts to cover this up, isn't this a after-thought from Ford during the design process?

Or maybe I'm just paranoid..lol.
cheers!

The intercooler should be safe given that it's not down there; it's up in front of the radiator. Sounds like your sales rep and his service folks aren't car people so you will want to keep that in mind when they give advice going into the future. I'd be way more worried about someone like that working on my truck then what the Ford engineers were thinking.

The part you're worried about is part of the AC system and while it can be damaged, isn't a critical part of keeping the truck on the road like the intercooler is. In The photo, intercooler is up top, AC down low.

The gap is there for the ACC and is easily covered by any of the guards out there, including directly through Ford accessories.

 

[McLeadslinger]

Nothing to worry about.

 

[McLeadslinger]

These false paranoia threads are getting ridiculous. “ Omg… water dripping out of my exhaust, oil in my catch can, fuel in my oil is gonna ruin my engine” and now people are thinking a boulder is gonna take out their AC condenser. Lol. Wow.

The intercooler should be safe given that it's not down there; it's up in front of the radiator. Sounds like your sales rep and his service folks aren't car people so you will want to keep that in mind when they give advice going into the future. I'd be way more worried about someone like that working on my truck then what the Ford engineers were thinking.

The part you're worried about is part of the AC system and while it can be damaged, isn't a critical part of keeping the truck on the road like the intercooler is. On The photo, intercooler is up top, AC down low.

The gap is there for the ACC and is easily covered by any of the guards out there, including directly through Ford accessories.

 

[AdamHarris]

These false paranoia threads are getting ridiculous. “ Omg… water dripping out of my exhaust, oil in my catch can, fuel in my oil is gonna ruin my engine” and now people are thinking a boulder is gonna take out their AC condenser. Lol. Wow.

IKR. Just like all the bashing Ford Corporate threads (in a Ford based forum) and the "can you believe this quality control!!, my bumper is 1mm high on the right side" stuff, and on and on.

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