Radiator Screen

[paulyg]

I need to make a radiator screen for driving through long grass.
I need some ideas, so if you have made one, or bought one, please post up some details and pics.

[mudski]

Go to Bunnings and just get the wire mesh stuff for window screens and retro fit that up.

[the evil twin]

X2 ^^^^^

I found the wire stuff works better than the nylon mesh

[paulyg]

Is shade cloth no good? I have plenty of that in the shed.

[mudski]

it would be better than nothing but I wouldn't use it.

[paulyg]

Ok thanks mudski

[Cuppa]

Depends upon what long sort of long grass you are driving through. We carry 'shadecloth' & window insect mesh, although the window mesh we have is the nylon type.

For stuff with 'sticky' seed, like spinifex I'd use the mesh. Agree that the wire stuff is probably better, mainly because it is stiffer & easier to insert down directly in front of the radiator, but I found it easier to store the nylon stuff. As it is we have never had need to use it as any spinifex we've driven through has been stuff which has already had others drive through it, knocking the seed out of it. If I did use the mesh it would be in conjunction with the shadecloth.

We have used the shadecloth on a number of occasions. Trapped under the bonnet, over the front of the bullbar & zip tied where possible under the car.

Driving the western end of the Munja Track in the Kimberley we we were driving for many kilometres of dry grass well above bonnet height. The shadecloth did a good job of stopping most stuff getting into the radiator. Had to pick a few 'strays' out from time to time, but not a big task. Surprisingly in the heat we had no overheating issues, although we were travelling slowly as the tall grass hid many rocks & washouts, I did keep a close eye on the temp gauge though. Cleaning out the grass from all the nooks & crannies under the car was a bigger task. I wouldn't mind betting that we still have some between the rear fuel tank & it's stone shield.
There are different grades of shadecloth - obviously the finer mesh variety is best. Our stuff is the white stuff used in fruit tree nets.

In the long grass we also stopped frequently to check under the car to ensure nothing was smouldering. However when you have tall grass as far as the you can see in every direction safe clearings to stop in can be few & far between. We had no problems, but I felt sorry for anyone driving a car with a catalytic converter. There were tales of a car fitted with one catching fire a couple of weeks ahead of us. They were lucky as they were driving together with a friend in a second car who saw the smoke in time to alert the driver to stop & deal with it. Some damage as done, but the car was still driveable, & luckily their quick action avoided starting a huge fire with them in the middle of it.

[paulyg]

Thanks cuppa,that is exactly what I want the screen for.
In may we are going to the Kimberly, and I would like to drive the Munja track, I want something to attach to the bullbar, when needed, it won't be on there all of the time.

[Cuppa]

If you haven't seen it the Bachsten Creek Camp Face book page is an excellent source of info re conditions on the Munja especially to monitor when the track is being opened. (Usually around the end of May/early June) https://www.facebook.com/BachstenCreekBushcamp/?ref=br_rs.

I had been concerned about taking out Tvan down to Walcott Inlet, & advice at Mt Elizabeth was anything towed over 800kg was not suitable, but when I spoke to Rick (owner of Bachsten Creek Camp) he told me he had his Pioneer camper (Tvan knock-off) down there & reckoned I'd have no trouble. (And he was pretty right).I think we had 12 nights on the track, including a couple of nights on the track, 3 at Bachstens & the rest at Walcott. Next time I'd add another day or three to spend more time at Bachstens.

Re the grass - would be a good idea to let a few others go down to Walcott before you. That way there is a defined track for you to follow & much of the seed will already have been knocked out of the grass. Even so you'll need the the protection as well as a fire plan.

[paulyg]

Thanks Cuppa, great info as usual, we probably wont get to that part of the Kimberley till June anyway.