Intercooler Air flow

[K.Hz]

I have owned an 2014 F-150 ECOBOOST and now a 2020 Ranger. The F-150 had a rectangular opening for air to get to the Intercooler. They also provided a plastic insert that fits into that opening when I purchased it. It wasn't much protection for the intercooler from rocks and road debris. There's no insert that comes with the Ranger.
I have considered purchasing a grill to place into that opening to protect the intercooler BUT, does anyone believe that a grill of any design would effect the volume of airflow to the intercooler that could eventually lead to overheating or damaging the Turbo system??
Please advise.

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[2ford]

I have owned an 2014 F-150 ECOBOOST and now a 2020 Ranger. The F-150 had a rectangular opening for air to get to the Intercooler. They also provided a plastic insert that fits into that opening when I purchased it. It wasn't much protection for the intercooler from rocks and road debris. There's no insert that comes with the Ranger.
I have considered purchasing a grill to place into that opening to protect the intercooler BUT, does anyone believe that a grill of any design would effect the volume of airflow to the intercooler that could eventually lead to overheating or damaging the Turbo system??
Please advise.

The purpose of the intercooler is to cool the pressurized air from the turbo. A lot of vehicles had turbos without intercoolers. So no I don't think having a grill in front of your intercooler will damage your turbo.

 

[GregsFX2Ranger]

Isn't the intercooler in the Ranger up at the TOP behind the grille, NOT on the bottom where the big gaping hole is?????

Yes, the F150 Ecoboost was at the bottom, but the Ranger doesn't appear to be.

 

[Frenchy]

I have owned an 2014 F-150 ECOBOOST and now a 2020 Ranger. The F-150 had a rectangular opening for air to get to the Intercooler. They also provided a plastic insert that fits into that opening when I purchased it. It wasn't much protection for the intercooler from rocks and road debris. There's no insert that comes with the Ranger.
I have considered purchasing a grill to place into that opening to protect the intercooler BUT, does anyone believe that a grill of any design would effect the volume of airflow to the intercooler that could eventually lead to overheating or damaging the Turbo system??
Please advise.

The nice thing is the intercooler isn't as big as you think. Lower opening for the grill only covers the radiator and maybe the condenser for the AC. The intercooler is actually on the upper section behind the main Grill and therefore you don't have to worry about rocks and stuff coming up to hit it. It's not something you should have to be concerned about.

 

[GregsFX2Ranger]

The nice thing is the intercooler isn't as big as you think. Lower opening for the grill only covers the radiator and maybe the condenser for the AC. The intercooler is actually on the upper section behind the main Grill and therefore you don't have to worry about rocks and stuff coming up to hit it. It's not something you should have to be concerned about.

That is what I thought. You can clearly see the intercooler in the upper section.

 

[Mustang2Ranger]

I have owned an 2014 F-150 ECOBOOST and now a 2020 Ranger. The F-150 had a rectangular opening for air to get to the Intercooler. They also provided a plastic insert that fits into that opening when I purchased it. It wasn't much protection for the intercooler from rocks and road debris. There's no insert that comes with the Ranger.
I have considered purchasing a grill to place into that opening to protect the intercooler BUT, does anyone believe that a grill of any design would effect the volume of airflow to the intercooler that could eventually lead to overheating or damaging the Turbo system??
Please advise.

Intercooler is in the middle and sees little debris, I would leave it alone

You might want to consider putting a mesh in the lower part or buying the Putco lower grille insert

https://www.stage3motorsports.com/8...grille-insert-wo-adaptive-cruise-control.html

 

[GregsFX2Ranger]

Intercooler is in the middle and sees little debris, I would leave it alone

You might want to consider putting a mesh in the lower part or buying the Putco lower grille insert

https://www.stage3motorsports.com/8...grille-insert-wo-adaptive-cruise-control.html

I dunno about taking that whole part off. Wasn't there another one on here that was easier to install?
All Rangers don't have that silver bottom either. Fx2/fx4 trim?

 

[RangerFitz]

I used a leftover gutter guard to cover mine ?

 

[Mustang2Ranger]

I dunno about taking that whole part off. Wasn't there another one on here that was easier to install?
All Rangers don't have that silver bottom either. Fx2/fx4 trim?

They have different versions for different trim. Not that hard to install

I used a leftover gutter guard to cover mine ?

Also a good option, had this on my Mustang, the intakes were about 4" from the ground

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