Wow that looks very restrictive. I don't think I'd go with that one. Although I do live in the south whereas you live up north. It might work well up there, but down here I'd be leary.

 

Agreed - especially wouldn't want one on an ecoboost truck...

 

well its not. it have more airflow going threw it than a front liscence plate if you have one. all i know is i tow a 28' enclosed trailer with my saleen in back and i have the 4.6 3V 4x4 and the temp gauge doesnt move, nor the trans temp. plus if you are worried bout the ecoboost it wont have a problem. my buddy has one on his. says its fine. plus the look of it makes it look stock

 

and is that intercooler air to air or air to water? either way im sure it will be fine. my saleen intercooler has more retriction on it that that. and it does quite alright

 

It does look good. Like I said it might work well up there, but for down here, where temps in the summer normally get upwards of 100 for extended periods, I'd be leery. You don't have the eco and that makes it even better, for you. You don't have the cooling issue to be concerned with.

The way the intercooler is mounted on these trucks it is at an angle well in front of the radiator, so airflow generated by the radiator fan is low. About the only airflow we get is from driving the truck. The turbos are water cooled. Since the design is new to the 150, I'd be cautious about restricting any air flow to the intercooler until the design has been proved to the population. I would expect Ford to run from as much responsibility as possible and have a feeling they will deny almost any warranty work for airflow restriction if the turbos start failing. I doubt that will be an issue, but I'd rather not have to get into that fight.

 

Theres a reason ford engineered a brand new part so the license plate could be moved to the side. Airflow over the intercooler keeps intake air temps in check and also makes it less likely for detonation to occur. I would rather see a datalog showing before and after intake air temps than simply "my buddy's is just fine". Non ecoboost trucks I don't see a problem. They have the license plate blocking most of the opening anyway.

 

thats fine like i said i would post a pic. take it or leave it. its an option. you could worry bout a million possiablilitys..... rocks, birds, realy anything could gt in there while driving. i hit a bird with my saleen and blew out the intercooler and radiator in it. so realy anything could happen. its all preferance. its an option for those who want a cleaner look is all

no sweat on my brow...

 

Just ordered the intercooler grille off ebay from sleek auto accessories. It fits good and IMO i think it looks WAY better than the huge gap in between. I have another bumper insert on order instead of the licence plate bracket (no front licence plate needed here) so it will look nice and clean...

 

I couldn't decide between the Carriage Works one and the ebay one so I got both. After looking at the two side by side I decided to go with the CW one. The welds look better and after a little test the powdercoat is more durable. The mounting for the CW is worlds better than the ebay one also. No drilling, no ramming it in, no cutting etc.. The brackets work great and with a touch of loctite (I used a tiny bit of blue) or if you prefer lock washers it won't move an inch.

Using the ebay one with some modifications for another project so no real money lost.

 

ya i agree the ebay one you do have to drill unless you use zip ties to the middle brackets...and it is a little tough getting in but for $60 I like the look...going to spend more money on the tonneau so thought I would use the less expensive grille cover

 

I've got a grill like yours on my XLT and would like to find a panel that will match the upper grill to fill in the lower hole like the sample below.

 

I think the grill you are looking for is here. https://www.f150online.com/forums/v6...nse-plate.html

 

I just wish someone would make a grill that goes across the entire opening that requires the bumper inserts to be removed. The inserts look stupid IMO.

 

PlatinumRob you are preaching to the choir!!!!

 

Your are preaching the choir Brother PlatinumRob!