I know most of you hate the front plate, but I am pretty thankful I have it on (besides the fact that it's required).

I was washing my car a couple of days ago and look what I just found:




Notice how it's right near the top of the front intake where it could have hit the air condenser and easily taken it out.

Also, it was hard to take a clear picture for some reason, but the gash was DEEP. There is a noticeable dent where that rock hit, and it may have actually cut through the metal a little bit.

Have you guys noticed anything like this on your front plates?

 

Ouch! This makes me want to dig up that thread about putting a mesh behind there to slow or stop debris. Close call!

 

 

I did it a week ago, pretty easy mod.

 

that's a fairly deep dent, the mesh mod definitely wouldn't have stood up to that sort of impact.. my 15lb terrier can tear through the mesh that everyone's using with one swipe of his paw.

 

Huskies save the day!

 

The mesh wouldn't have maybe blocked it completely but it would have probably slowed it down considerably thus not killing the condenser completely like it would if you didn't have anything there. The mesh isn't there to block everything...just to slow down the big stuff (The kill shots ). I'd rather replace a $10 piece of mesh than not have any sort of protection at all.

I know my black mesh has saved mine numerous times. That with my clear bra on the front my front end is 100% perfect.

 

My thoughts exactly. Except I paid less for my gutter guard mesh and have plenty left for replacements.

 

I did this mod with a metal mesh and I'm sure that it would have stopped it.

Still a scary incident.

 

Man, I don't know - that's one hell of a hit. What sort of mesh you guys using because I've thought about doing something like this. I was thinking a heavy duty woven wire mesh. After all is said and done how large a piece does it actually take?

 

does anyone have a template of the area where you put the mesh? Is it pretty easy to cut to size?

 

exactly my point. it's all speculation but i'm fairly certain that kind of impact would rip right through the mesh and pierce the air condenser. sure the mesh would slow it down but enough to prevent damage?.. no one can say really.

although, i do agree that some protection is better than none

 

I'm not thinking speculation - that's close to a 50cal bullet hole! Thing about a wire mesh is it will absorb the impact and snag the projectile. Probably wouldn't have stopped that rock, but you never know. Trick is securing the mesh in place. I've had the top shroud off installing a new horn, but have never gone deeper into it. I know there's a bottom shroud as well on mine must need to pull that to get up in there.

There is a thread somewhere around here....