My upper heat block mod

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

The heat from the radiator on my 2013 RT was too much for my foot when I have it up on my highway peg. I decided to make my own using a 2014 RT right side grill.

First I cut the bottom of the grill and a couple of tabs off and then heated and reshaped the bottom to more closely match the shape of left side grill.

Grill mod.jpg Grill reshape.jpg

Next I cut a piece of aluminum sheet to fit the perimeter shape of the grill. Using aluminum duct tape I taped it to the grill plastic. Aluminum duct tape can take the heat and sticks for ages. It's painted flat black on the side that shows through the grill.

Cut sheet metal.jpg Metal taped to grill.jpg

I cut a couple of holes in the duct plastic behind and below the radiator. I had earlier removed the bottom plastic shield when I installed the Spyder Pop's Bump Guard. Then I used a Dremel with a right angle attachment and spiral cutter to enlarge the hole. This is to allow as free a flow of the radiator air as possible.

Dremel cutting.jpg

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Here's a pic of the grill in place. I left the tab on the grill and drilled a hole the same size. A push pin left over from the bump skid install holds the grill in place.

Grill in place.jpg

This is what it looks like when finished.

Final fit.jpg
Best of all, in what little testing I've had time to do, it works great. I can now leave my foot on the highway peg without it getting burned up.

[Chupaca]

great job. That will certainly fix the problem of heat on your foot when on the highway pegs. Looks great and others can benefit from the pictorial...thanks and congrats..!!

[Dan_Ashley]

This is really ingenious! Ever think of marketing a kit?

[DrewNJ]

Nice work!

[Top End Unlimited]

I will be building one this week. Does your temp stay good on the gauge ? Thanks, Chuck

[Bob Denman]

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I will be building one this week. Does your temp stay good on the gauge ? Thanks, Chuck

Yes.

[Large1]

Can I use these parts and process on a 2011?

[BigGuy66]

Here's a pic of the grill in place. I left the tab on the grill and drilled a hole the same size. A push pin left over from the bump skid install holds the grill in place.

Grill in place.jpg

This is what it looks like when finished.

Final fit.jpg
Best of all, in what little testing I've had time to do, it works great. I can now leave my foot on the highway peg without it getting burned up.

...what effect blocking this air flow has on the engine? I have read about blocking the hole, but how does the engine get enough air flow to keep cool? I have a 2010 RT SM5... and my foot gets HOT!
flame-fire-orange-flammable.jpg

[Jeriatric]

...what effect blocking this air flow has on the engine? I have read about blocking the hole, but how does the engine get enough air flow to keep cool? I have a 2010 RT SM5... and my foot gets HOT!
flame-fire-orange-flammable.jpg

He blocked the upper but the lower is still open. If you notice he uses highway pegs and blocking the upper keeps the heat off when his legs are up. Would still get the heat if he was on the stock pegs. It's a trade off....block one or the other but not both and you'll be fine.

Edit: If you do not have the NEW upper air vents that came about because of the heat issues, you should do that too. Those, along with blocking which ever radiator discharge hole you decide on will make a world of difference.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

...what effect blocking this air flow has on the engine? I have read about blocking the hole, but how does the engine get enough air flow to keep cool? I have a 2010 RT SM5... and my foot gets HOT!
flame-fire-orange-flammable.jpg

Remove the plastic panel underneath. I don't know if the 2010 has the plastic shroud like I show, but if so you have to cut a hole in it. Yeah, you do have to make sure you leave a path open for the air to flow away from the radiator. I saw no heating problem.

[BigGuy66]

He blocked the upper but the lower is still open. If you notice he uses highway pegs and blocking the upper keeps the heat off when his legs are up. Would still get the heat if he was on the stock pegs. It's a trade off....block one or the other but not both and you'll be fine.

Edit: If you do not have the NEW upper air vents that came about because of the heat issues, you should do that too. Those, along with blocking which ever radiator discharge hole you decide on will make a world of difference.

...between the upper and lower holes on that side. I will go out and look at my 2010 RT SM5 and see what I can do to get that heat off my foot. I guess I could ryde with my right foot up on the handlebar...

[Jeriatric]

...between the upper and lower holes on that side. I will go out and look at my 2010 RT SM5 and see what I can do to get that heat off my foot. I guess I could ryde with my right foot up on the handlebar...

You can fab something yourself or...... RT LOWER BLOCK OFF PLATE - SPYDERPOPS



If your legs are long enough you could add stirrups to the front fenders too

[OverHillAndDale]

I don't need this mod (2014) but I'm impressed with the pics. I wish more would post good pictures of their custom farkling so others could follow suit.

[LateLifeCrisis]

The heat from the radiator on my 2013 RT was too much for my foot when I have it up on my highway peg. I decided to make my own using a 2014 RT right side grill.

First I cut the bottom of the grill and a couple of tabs off and then heated and reshaped the bottom to more closely match the shape of left side grill.

Grill mod.jpg Grill reshape.jpg

Next I cut a piece of aluminum sheet to fit the perimeter shape of the grill. Using aluminum duct tape I taped it to the grill plastic. Aluminum duct tape can take the heat and sticks for ages. It's painted flat black on the side that shows through the grill.

Cut sheet metal.jpg Metal taped to grill.jpg

I cut a couple of holes in the duct plastic behind and below the radiator. I had earlier removed the bottom plastic shield when I installed the Spyder Pop's Bump Guard. Then I used a Dremel with a right angle attachment and spiral cutter to enlarge the hole. This is to allow as free a flow of the radiator air as possible.

Dremel cutting.jpg

Thanks for sharing. Yankee ingenuity at it's finest!