Closable Grill/Blind Thingy

[George130]

Does anyone know much about a manually controlled grill that can be clossed or opened? It would be meant for water crossings. I'm interested in trying to get one to keep my beaste happy through winter and the water crossings in the future.

[dobbo]

Is it a venetian blind type setup for a radiator grille?

How would it protect the rest of the engine bay to water ingression i.e the big area around the engine block. To make it effective wouldn't you have to seal the rest of the engine bay as well? If you do that wouldn't you need bonnet vents to avoid extreme engine bay temperatures?


Buy a tank it'd be easier

[p38arover]

Back in the early 60s I had a Renault 4CV. It had a holland blind in front of the radiator. I recall it was operated just like the holland blinds on has in a house.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Ron

[BigJon]

Dobbo - For water crossings all you need to do is block the grille to prevent the mass of water going through the radiator. This serves two purpopses, firstly it helps stop the fan from being pulled forwards through the radiator and secondly, it helps build a bow wave in front of the vehicle.

[dobbo]

Dobbo - For water crossings all you need to do is block the grille to prevent the mass of water going through the radiator. This serves two purpopses, firstly it helps stop the fan from being pulled forwards through the radiator and secondly, it helps build a bow wave in front of the vehicle.

I realise this but deep water still has the potential to get into other areas, If your going to the extent of closing the grille why not seal the rest so deeper wading can be possible

[JDNSW]

Back in the early 60s I had a Renault 4CV. It had a holland blind in front of the radiator. I recall it was operated just like the holland blinds on has in a house.

http://www.4cvregisteraustralia.org/images/4cv58.jpg

Ron

That is rear engined with the air intakes just behind the rear doors! Which is not to say it doesn't have a blind in front of the radiator!
John

[JDNSW]

Does anyone know much about a manually controlled grill that can be clossed or opened? It would be meant for water crossings. I'm interested in trying to get one to keep my beaste happy through winter and the water crossings in the future.

Manually or thermostatically controlled shutters or blinds on the radiator have been common on radiators in cold climates since the 1920s at least, but are rarely seen in Australia since most Australians live in climates that are mild compared to a lot of places. Today they mostly take the form of radiator muffs, usually ones that clip on the outside of the grille. I remember when my brother lived in Copenhagen he had a Citroen Dyane, and commented that the radiator muff sold there had no apparent way of ANY air getting through other than leakage round the edges, where the one sold in France had a hole for the Citroen emblem in the middle.
On the County I use a series of strips of the black plastic used for damp courses - they fit nicely down the spaces between the ribs on the back of the plastic grille, between it and the chaff guard. I leave the centre one uncovered, this provides plenty of cooling in winter, and speeds warm-up, always slow on the Isuzu engine because of its thermal mass, and helps the heater to work.

[p38arover]

That is rear engined with the air intakes just behind the rear doors! Which is not to say it doesn't have a blind in front of the radiator!

That's correct. The blind was in front of the radiator (behind the rear seat). I seem to recall the blind was mounted at the bottom and was pulled upward. Another pull released it to recoil (as can be expected from a holland blind).

Ron

[4bee]

There was a bloke ("Rogue Trooper" ??) on LRA, (formerly LRE) or it may have been Offroaders Rant, who made quite a professional looking one using metal slats & iirc was operated by a quadrant of some sort. It really looked the business.

I will see if I can contact him & let you know.

[Outlaw]

I know guys tie a tarp to the front when doing big river crossings but a nice in-cab operated shutter version would be great... thinking would be fantastic when doing bog runs also to help reduce the radiator front getting clogged with mud.... hmmm bring on the ideas!!! ;)

[George130]

The holland blind thing is the idea. Joined LRA today and sent him an E-mail. The guy who told me about them said there is a leaver on the dash like the heater controls to open and close it. I want it mainly for the morning runs when my beastie just doesn't warm up. I have even been having to stop to re-scrape the windscreen. I'm also finding that the rig is still frozen over when I get to work and by that time I am frozen through. Thought close the blind till she gets warm enough and then slowly open it to maintain temp. The water crossings is just a bonus as I don't often have to cross water but forgot the one time I realy should have covered the front.

[crump]

Easiest way I can see, is to get in touch with one of those mobs that make those aluminium security blinds for patios and awnings.

[4bee]

Thought close the blind till she gets warm enough and then slowly open it to maintain temp. The water crossings is
In which case you may not need that level of sophistication.

On my S2A (inverted T grille fitted for Winter) I had made up by a local canvas worker, a green canvas to suit the shape, edged, laced it with cable ties to eyelets in the canvas & the centre panel had a HD Zip each side which I could open or close to suit the temperature. I do have a coolant temp. gauge fitted which is a must have if you use a rad. muff of any kind.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2006/06/55.jpg

[gruntfuttock]

http://www.bearmach.com/acatalog/Def_10th_access_lo.pdf