A few months ago we were driving along a country lane and a bit of a tree fell in the road and I had little option but to run over it – unpleasant noises from underneath
and some damage to the lower part of the radiator (bent fins) – luckily nothing major as we were a long way from home at the time. But looking at this back in the garage it seemed to me the lower part of the rad could be a bit exposed and, for me, the number plate mounting a bit high.
Been in the garage today trying to devise some protection for the lower rad and also ways to lower the number plate. Thought I'd share what I've done...
Decided to lower the number plate by about 75mm (3inches) so mounted some brackets to lower the plastic number plate mounting. Photo shows these and you can see the damage to centre of lower radiator.
Next made a simple wooden (sadly not ash) cross-member to mount on the over-rider brackets.
Using some steel mesh made a grill 500 x 250 mm and sprayed it black. Put some rubber trim around the sharp edges (same stuff as around the plastic number plate box)
This fitted neatly to mount off the bottom of the plastic number plate holder. Used 3 stainless 4mm bolts for this.
Mounted the wooden cross-member using 6 mm stainless bolts and existing holes in the over-rider supporting brackets. This also made the over-riders more sturdy and less wobbly.
Number plate holder and attached grill then mounted as shown (bolts on wooden cross-member yet to be shortened).
This (hopefully) will prevent any debris from the road being thrown up onto the radiator. It has also strengthened the number plate holder.
With the number plate also lowered the front of the car now looks like this.
Time will tell if a good mod but I'm quite pleased with the results so far....
