1st post, radiator screen or protector?

Just bought my 2023 TRD Off-road and only had 10k miles on it, but started looking it over after purchase and see moths and dragonflies on radiator. I love the grill, but seems like a lot gets through and already seeing dented radiator fins (minor). Anyone know good suggestions for some kind of screen or mesh to place between grill and radiator to protect it and keep objects from further damaging it? Thanks in advance. Pics for attention!

 

Welcome!
I wouldn’t overthink it, just keep it clean and enjoy your new truck.

 

I have one that I really like, in the summer its a bug net, and its attached by very durable 3M "stick a stud" buttons, in the winter I unbutton it and put on a vinyl cover that helps keep the engine bay warm (alberta winters get to -40f easily).

https://shop.thetruckoutfitters.com/product/fia-custom-winter-front-bug-screen-toyota-18-23-tacoma/

Heres a link to the one I bought, I like it alot and it does keep alot of bugs out of my radiator.

The attached picture it was quite warm out so I just had the bug net on, you only really need the vinyl cover when it gets below -20C

 

Had mine for over 6 years now. Never even thought of putting anything on there. I've got the same grill too. Just drive it and spend the money on something more fun.

 

Proper winter pic!

 

Love salida, I've hiked the colorado trail a few times and absolutely love staying in that town! Mo Burrito (the one next to the safeway) is unreal after a long hike

 

I'd suggest forget "protecting" the rad.
The design including the protruding fins (there for cooling and protection) are all it needs for the most part.
If you want to do some protection then consider the frame and under parts.
Don't know where you are and if that's a consideration.
I've driven and owned vehicles for many decades.
Just do proper mechanical maintenance and worry about other stuff in life.
"IMO"

 

Thanks guys. I'm in Florida and we get dragon flied the size of my and etc lol. I'm planning on some other fun things for my build, just thought I'd see how others were dealing. I appreciate all the input!

 

I agree with the OP, the grill looks un finished. most new cars have steel mesh behind the grill. If your handy you could go to lowes, and look for the black mesh gutter guards for houses. Attach that to the back of the grill, I seen a video of a guy who did this to his tacoma and hands down better protection to the radiator and also looks a lot better. Toyota is kind of ass backwards with their vehicles, on something this simple.

 

My dad just used metal window screen mesh behind the grill of his old Ford... Seemed to work well w/o restricting the air flow.

 

Agreed.
People used to use that in front of the rad all the time.
Easy to do, inexpensive at places like Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart, local hardware , etc

 

The OP has a valid point. The openwork nature of the TRD grille has always bothered me. It seems that it's too easy for bugs and small debris to enter and damage the radiator.



I had a similar situation with my 2000 Ford Ranger. The solution was to get these grille inserts from the J.C. Whitney catalog. These have been on the truck for 25+ years with no problem.



An insert for the Tacoma would have to mount behind the grille, not in front of it. Too bad that J.C. Whitney is out of business.

 

OP - you can buy various size metal sheets and patterns from companies like this. I purchased black metal (so it would not be obvious) diamond pattern and just cut it to fit behind the grill and used grey zip ties to affix.https://www.customcargrills.com/All-Grill-Mesh.asp

 

I would think that car radiators are designed to handle hitting bugs?

But then again, what the hell do I know?

 

Yes even tractors got a screen you take out and bang off the stuff. Now this Tacoma got radar and lasers that see people standing in the way so the truck beeps on the console before you hit them.

 

Race Mesh would be an option if you want to change the grill. I was going to reach out to them to see about a custom setup using their mesh behind the factory grille. Spendy.

https://racemeshgrilles.com/Tacoma_c_73.html

 

TRD Pro Grille from Runnin4Tacos is a must.

 

May not be easy to see, but I just got cheap bug net from Amazon and stuck it on the inside, as in pics. So far so good, and can't even see it from outside. Hopefully it stays and works out.

 

I did this on my SR but used wire instead of zip ties.

https://youtu.be/pdohNTkKM5Y?si=Lio_jjFn10R_44H0