Even though the pics did appear on my previous post when I tried it (New Year's Eve and before a drink
) - they don't now - so here's an update of the original with pics....
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 it seemed to me the lower part of the rad is 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 (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 supports the rear of the mesh and 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).
So far this has prevented any more debris from the road being thrown up onto the radiator. It has also strengthened the number plate holder itself and also the over-riders are more firm.
With the number plate also lowered the front of the car now looks like this.
I'm quite pleased with the results so far....
