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

[VAMike]

Some people like to look at gauges instead of the scenery. ?‍ Periodically people come along convinced that the truck will melt if they don't take extraordinary measures, despite the fact that Ford tests the load under extreme conditions, and despite the fact that there aren't a whole lot of people complaining that their ranger overheated. I guess everyone wants to feel unique, because their personal use case must be more extreme than everyone else's (including Ford's endurance testing).

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[Kemo Sabe]

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!

I agree. It’s an expense waiting to happen. Ford evidently wanted disaster to befall us. I should have taken longer to examine this truck, which I must admit I like.

 

[Gerder]

there's been zero reports of anyone losing an intercooler or AC because of rocks taking them out
well maybe i missed something if it got drowned out by all the oil threads, tie down threads and the multitude of other whining threads.
anyways, I digress....there's a bigger chance you'll destroy either of them in a car accident long before a rock ruins your day.

Maybe… maybe not… mine was replaced with some damaged [lamellae? is it the right word] at 15k onroad km in central europe! (the place where u have to search after for offroad oportunities hardly!)
i think this is just another way to generate more money for the industry.

 

[Gerder]

Some people like to look at gauges instead of the scenery. ?‍ Periodically people come along convinced that the truck will melt if they don't take extraordinary measures, despite the fact that Ford tests the load under extreme conditions, and despite the fact that there aren't a whole lot of people complaining that their ranger overheated. I guess everyone wants to feel unique, because their personal use case must be more extreme than everyone else's (including Ford's endurance testing).

Im not shur about the testing… my last ranger, and this was not the only one i heard of, had a blown of head sealing at 100k miles. Without ever seeing anything extreme here in central europe… I think they just don‘t care. The thing has to survive the 2 years warranty and thats it.

 

[VAMike]

Im not shur about the testing… my last ranger, and this was not the only one i heard of, had a blown of head sealing at 100k miles. Without ever seeing anything extreme here in central europe… I think they just don‘t care. The thing has to survive the 2 years warranty and thats it.

Let me tell you about the problems I had with my 1984 Chrysler. Or not, because historical anecdotes just aren't relevant.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

Let me tell you about the problems I had with my 1984 Chrysler. Or not, because historical anecdotes just aren't relevant.

 

[Racket]

The plastic grill in the top half isn't a consistent free flowing space either. I just think there should be something to keep debris from getting in there.

 

[txquailguy]

I got rid of the gap on mine

Nice Truck!.....I can tell by the view we are about the same proximity to the Front Range as you.

 

[Dochatley]

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!

I thought it needed a little protection also.

 

[amick1995]

Nice Truck!.....I can tell by the view we are about the same proximity to the Front Range as you.

Glad to see another NoCo owner on here! I don’t see too many rangers around here

 

[DakotaGuy]

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

I ordered that same light kit for the Ranger Tremor I have on order. How do you like it?

 

[OregonRangerTremor]

I ordered that same light kit for the Ranger Tremor I have on order. How do you like it?

I really like it. Install was fairly easy. Just take your time. High quality product. They are bright too!

 

[Gerder]

Let me tell you about the problems I had with my 1984 Chrysler. Or not, because historical anecdotes just aren't relevant.

10 years later is „historical“? And you think manufacturing quality increases these times?
ur whataaboutism is just childish.

 

[DakotaGuy]

I really like it. Install was fairly easy. Just take your time. High quality product. They are bright too!

What AUX switch did you use? Looking at the specs of the dual 6" light bars for amperage draw (3.8 total amps) it would appear that the 5 AMP switches (switch 4-6) would be plenty good. I'd rather save the higher amperage circuits for bigger stuff if I ever wanted it.

 

[halligan1201]

It is very important that grill opening do not get covered to the point they interfere with airflow to the intercooler. This is especially true if you have a performance tune. Shouldn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why.

Nope. The intercooler isn't down there. It's two feet higher in front of the radiator. That is the AC.

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