Congrats! Luv the xmas lights

 

We had some winter weather, ice/snow hit the south last Friday. So Saturday the only logical thing to do was to go find a trail to drive! So i headed out early to Talladega National Forest to see what the trails were like. Usually when it snows in Birmingham the NF gets more than in town. This time there was more in town. The roads in town were covered in ice, but taking it slow, the Disco handled the ice without a problem. Once out of town the roads weren't bad at all. Here are a few pics from that day. This isn't a crazy technical trail, just a fun scenic drive.

 

During Christmas break the weather was pretty warm, 80* on Christmas Day. As I was traveling in the Disco I was noticing the engine temps were higher than normal when cruising at 70-75mph. It was hitting 208, which isn't bad but with a 180* thermostat it shouldn't be that high. I pulled over and removed the three lights from the bumper thinking they may be blocking some of the air flow. I really didn't think it would make much difference, but once back on the road the temps never went over 194*.

I really don't want to remove the lights permanently, so I am trying a few things now to get more air through the grill. With the winch and stock grill there really wasn't a lot of open area in the grill. I decided first I would try to make my own "Saudi grill" using an 03-04 grill.

First I found another grill at a local pull-a-part I could modify. Then I cut out the center section of the grill.


Next I used some ABS I had laying around and epoxied it from the backside of the grill to the area that was left open from cutting the center section out.


Result


I ordered a piece of black vinyl coated square mesh for the grill.


After cutting and shaping it to fit, this is what it looks like.


The mesh will be held in with a few screws, washers and nylock nuts.



Next up, I'll be filling the voids left from cutting the center section out with fiberglass, sand smooth and then paint black. I'll have to cut the lower portion of the grill to fit over the winch also. This should allow more air through nicely.

I have another idea that will help also, I'll detail that soon.

 

That turned out nice.

Enjoyed the pictures from your last outing, too. Beautiful area.

Brian.

 

I finished up the grill today and I think it turned out fantastic!

I covered both sides with Evercoat Fibertech and then sanded smooth with 80 grit paper. This is after the first round of sanding.


Then to fill the small pinholes left I skimmed with Bondo Glazing Putty.


Sanded with 320g.


Then painted with a fine texture black paint.



I had a spare Land Rover logo from the rear of a Disco. I expoxied it to the mesh for the finishing touch.



And finally installed! I really like the look and should function really well also!

 

Then I put the center light back on so the entire grill is hidden!

 

That is a neat mod...I like that a lot and it probably breathes better than stock...

 

I'm very glad to see the Cannibal treating you well. We just placed an order with Steve for a new 4.6, and should have in around March.

 

Don't want to hijack this thread, but have you read through the sticky on Cannibal in this Forum?

 

Yikes, no crap. Might want to stop payment on your credit card.