Winter Grill Covers - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

83burban · 11-09-2010, 11:18 AM

Anyone know of a place that can make winter grill covers for our trucks? Would really like to not use cardboard this year since it got soggy and clogged my radiator last year.

Thanks in advance.

RandyP · 11-09-2010, 11:43 AM

Some of our parts come in with a cardboard that is also layered in some sort of plastic coating, I've always used that stuff when possible. One year I cut the cardboard and wrapped it in plastic shrink wrap, it worked fairly well. I always spray bomb it black as well, to help hide the southern ingenuity.

motornut · 11-09-2010, 12:17 PM

yea don't use cardboard ,
you don't want soggy cardboard clogging up the rad
seen a guy use a piece of a old bbq cover
i use wire as ties as with those twist locks they can "disappear" in the wind

Adams74Chevy · 11-09-2010, 12:31 PM

I've seen a scrap piece of commercial style carpet used... didn't look the greatest but with a little spray paint it could have blended in better.

piecesparts · 11-09-2010, 12:51 PM

I went out and found a plastic roll up snow sled that they used to sell at the Walmart stores. It was basically a sled that would roll up into a tube shape and it was light to carry. I cut the width on it down to allow it to slide between the A/C coil and the front of the radiator. You can access that on the dirver's side just behind the the core support.

83burban · 11-09-2010, 01:58 PM

I want something more permanent that looks good. I might talk to my friends dad who owns a canvas company and see if he will make me a custom cover with covers held on with Velcro for different temps and eyelets on each corner to secure the cover.

joe1982 · 11-09-2010, 02:33 PM

sorry, im in san diego. it was 80 degrees yesterday!!

87 V20 Scottsdale · 11-09-2010, 08:40 PM

Did anobody ever make fitted ones when these trucks were new?

babyJay · 11-09-2010, 08:52 PM

Just don't go this route, unless it's for a Dodge....

babyJay · 11-09-2010, 08:57 PM

Seriously, check out this website...http://www.dahlcanvas.com/

For this....

and here's another "don't" unless it's a Dodge...

3r!c84 · 11-10-2010, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyJay

unless it's a Dodge...

Number21 · 11-10-2010, 05:44 AM

This is exactly why I'm going to install an electric fan and water pump...turn the cooling system off completely if I want to.

babyJay · 11-10-2010, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Number21

This is exactly why I'm going to install an electric fan and water pump...turn the cooling system off completely if I want to.

That's a great idea for a mud truck or a truck that drives in high water, but how are you going to get the warm water to your heater core?

timjt · 11-10-2010, 10:14 AM

Im from Orange County and a new chevy owner and new to the cold weather in texas (85 silverado my wife bought off the side of a country road for 500 bucks and told me to fix it for her) so do I need a cover for the front? whats its purpose?

baclay9 · 11-10-2010, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timjt

Im from Orange County and a new chevy owner and new to the cold weather in texas (85 silverado my wife bought off the side of a country road for 500 bucks and told me to fix it for her) so do I need a cover for the front? whats its purpose?

I wouldn't worry about it were you live. This is more for the Northern guys IMO. I am guessing they block it to not let as much cold air in so the heater will work better/heat up faster during the miserable winters they have.

timjt · 11-10-2010, 10:42 AM

I figured it was something like that, I guess I'm just wondering if its just for snow storms or if it would hurt to do that driving to and from work in dry 20 degree weather?

motornut · 11-10-2010, 11:01 AM

up here it's called wind chill....how fast heat gets lost out in the cold
so the faster and colder the air going threw the rad,
the less heat going to the core,or to you in the cab
can even make the choke kick back in,or stay on longer=more gas
worth thier weight in gold the more up north you go
best to have a gauge to read ,easier to see if something goes wrong and you are going to over heat

**Corts60** · 11-10-2010, 12:17 PM

I think winter covers mostly apply to diesels. A properly running diesel doesn't create as much heat as gas engines as is so in extreme colds, you need all the help you can get to keep operating temperature up and keep the cabin warm. I've lived in the NW for quite awhile and I've never known a gas engine to need a winter grill cover. Just my opinion.

Number21 · 11-11-2010, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyJay

That's a great idea for a mud truck or a truck that drives in high water, but how are you going to get the warm water to your heater core?

Heat is for sissies.

Even just an electric fan is fantastic to have in the winter for quick warmups...the clutch fan never shuts off completely. (my truck doesn't even have a clutch!)

Plus I'm installing a 400 watt cab heater...

motornut · 11-11-2010, 09:34 AM

well a cover sure works for me and we get some snow here

*78 Chevyrado* · 11-11-2010, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Number21

Heat is for sissies.

Even just an electric fan is fantastic to have in the winter for quick warmups...the clutch fan never shuts off completely. (my truck doesn't even have a clutch!)

I've been wanting an E-fan every winter for as long as I can remember for that very reason. Everytime I'm freezing riding down the road waiting for a warmup I can "just see" that stupid fan cooling the radiator I'm wanting warmed up..

Plus that would cut out the clutch sapping so much power until it finally frees up.

motornut · 11-11-2010, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyJay

That's a great idea for a mud truck or a truck that drives in high water, but how are you going to get the warm water to your heater core?

should reach the heater core by the time the water gets over the seats.....................not sure how warm that waters gona be tho..lol

babyJay · 11-11-2010, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motornut

should reach the heater core by the time the water gets over the seats.....................not sure how warm that waters gona be tho..lol

Been in some that was quite chilly myself...

Love this pic, BTW. Nice igloo!

Rpratt · 11-11-2010, 01:10 PM

I used an old jeep bikini top for mine, I have been using it for years.

redneckchevy · 11-11-2010, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyJay

Seriously, check out this website...http://www.dahlcanvas.com/

For this....

Do you have one, if so how do you like it?

I have been looking for something like that and he only wants $40 shipped for it.

11-09-2010, 11:18 AM	#1
83burban Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: la Posts: 345	Winter Grill Covers Anyone know of a place that can make winter grill covers for our trucks? Would really like to not use cardboard this year since it got soggy and clogged my radiator last year. Thanks in advance.

11-09-2010, 11:43 AM	#2
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: Winter Grill Covers Some of our parts come in with a cardboard that is also layered in some sort of plastic coating, I've always used that stuff when possible. One year I cut the cardboard and wrapped it in plastic shrink wrap, it worked fairly well. I always spray bomb it black as well, to help hide the southern ingenuity. __________________ *Why is every used 350 sbc out of a corvette?* There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys. *VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good."* When the going gets tough, switch to power tools.

11-09-2010, 12:17 PM	#3
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: Winter Grill Covers yea don't use cardboard , you don't want soggy cardboard clogging up the rad seen a guy use a piece of a old bbq cover i use wire as ties as with those twist locks they can "disappear" in the wind __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

11-09-2010, 12:31 PM	#4
Adams74Chevy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: MD Posts: 417	Re: Winter Grill Covers I've seen a scrap piece of commercial style carpet used... didn't look the greatest but with a little spray paint it could have blended in better. __________________ 2006 Silverado Crew Cab 1500 4x4 5.3L automatic 1986 M1008 CUCV 6.2L Detroit Diesel TH400 4.56 Detroit Locker rear NP208 1973 K20 "Silverado" 350ci, HEI, TH350, NP203 with 2wd conversion, A/C, power windows,tilt wheel, dual tanks. My '73ish K20 thread My 5yo son claims it as his. 1987 V20 Custom Deluxe 350 TH400 NP208 "farm truck" getting parted out. 2016 Nissan Altima grocery getter/commuter

11-09-2010, 12:51 PM	#5
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: Winter Grill Covers I went out and found a plastic roll up snow sled that they used to sell at the Walmart stores. It was basically a sled that would roll up into a tube shape and it was light to carry. I cut the width on it down to allow it to slide between the A/C coil and the front of the radiator. You can access that on the dirver's side just behind the the core support. __________________ Frank

11-09-2010, 01:58 PM	#6
83burban Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: la Posts: 345	Re: Winter Grill Covers I want something more permanent that looks good. I might talk to my friends dad who owns a canvas company and see if he will make me a custom cover with covers held on with Velcro for different temps and eyelets on each corner to secure the cover.

11-09-2010, 02:33 PM	#7
joe1982 .. !WAR FEDOR! .. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Oceanside Ca Posts: 546	Re: Winter Grill Covers sorry, im in san diego. it was 80 degrees yesterday!! __________________ "san diego chargers #1"

11-09-2010, 08:40 PM	#8
87 V20 Scottsdale Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Georgetown, KY Posts: 183	Re: Winter Grill Covers Did anobody ever make fitted ones when these trucks were new? __________________ Andrew 1987 V20 Scottsdale 383 TBI, SM465, NP208, 14FF, 4.10 1988 C1500 Scottsdale 305, 700R4, 3.08 1986 K30 Custom Deluxe 6.2, SM465, NP205, 14FF, 4.10

11-09-2010, 08:52 PM	#9
babyJay Arrived on a Pale Horse Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SnagTown Indiana Posts: 2,524	Re: Winter Grill Covers Just don't go this route, unless it's for a Dodge.... __________________ Jason 87 V30 350TBI/400 White w/Boss V-plow 89 R3500 CC SRW

11-09-2010, 08:57 PM	#10
babyJay Arrived on a Pale Horse Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SnagTown Indiana Posts: 2,524	Re: Winter Grill Covers Seriously, check out this website...http://www.dahlcanvas.com/ For this.... and here's another "don't" unless it's a Dodge... __________________ Jason 87 V30 350TBI/400 White w/Boss V-plow 89 R3500 CC SRW Last edited by babyJay; 11-09-2010 at 09:02 PM.

11-10-2010, 05:44 AM	#12
Number21 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 611	Re: Winter Grill Covers This is exactly why I'm going to install an electric fan and water pump...turn the cooling system off completely if I want to. __________________ '73 K20 Cheyenne Super Camper Special 350/TH350/NP205 sittin' on 33's. You can set my truck on fire and roll it down a hill, and I still wouldn't trade it for a Coupe de Ville.

11-10-2010, 10:14 AM	#14
timjt Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: mckinney, tx Posts: 390	Re: Winter Grill Covers Im from Orange County and a new chevy owner and new to the cold weather in texas (85 silverado my wife bought off the side of a country road for 500 bucks and told me to fix it for her) so do I need a cover for the front? whats its purpose?

11-10-2010, 10:42 AM	#16
timjt Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: mckinney, tx Posts: 390	Re: Winter Grill Covers I figured it was something like that, I guess I'm just wondering if its just for snow storms or if it would hurt to do that driving to and from work in dry 20 degree weather?

11-10-2010, 11:01 AM	#17
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: Winter Grill Covers up here it's called wind chill....how fast heat gets lost out in the cold so the faster and colder the air going threw the rad, the less heat going to the core,or to you in the cab can even make the choke kick back in,or stay on longer=more gas worth thier weight in gold the more up north you go best to have a gauge to read ,easier to see if something goes wrong and you are going to over heat __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

11-10-2010, 12:17 PM	#18
Corts60 Just here to tinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Holland, MI Posts: 3,687	Re: Winter Grill Covers I think winter covers mostly apply to diesels. A properly running diesel doesn't create as much heat as gas engines as is so in extreme colds, you need all the help you can get to keep operating temperature up and keep the cabin warm. I've lived in the NW for quite awhile and I've never known a gas engine to need a winter grill cover. Just my opinion. __________________ 78 C10 SWB Diesel #1 (wrecked)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...1978+silverado 78 C10 SWB Diesel #2 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=650751 60 GMC Suburban (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=445526 60 GMC 1000 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=298235 67 GMC 1500 (sold) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=803695 86 Suburban(summer unit) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=810697 88 Suburban 4x4(winter unit)https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...25#post8900725



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11-11-2010, 09:34 AM	#20
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: Winter Grill Covers well a cover sure works for me and we get some snow here Attached Images __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

11-11-2010, 01:10 PM	#24
Rpratt Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Grand Rapids Mi Posts: 47	Re: Winter Grill Covers I used an old jeep bikini top for mine, I have been using it for years.

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