2008 Mariner - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

lovbyts · 06-10-2011, 02:32

I recently got a 2008 Mercury Mariner Premier. One of the things I though was a little odd is the front grill upper and lower are very open to debris large and small entering and going through the transmission cooler and/or radiator.

Ive done some searching as while there are a couple people who make after market add-on or grills for the Escape no one seems to make anything for the Mariner? Anyone know of anything?

I have done some modification of my own tonight. I removed the front grill (not an easy job) and I used the fine mesh for heavy duty screen doors. It's the black heavy duty made to be animal resistant. The bottom vent I used a little wider heavy plastic diamond mesh screen I had. All in all it looks great. You can not see the radiator at all anymore and no chance of anything less than a bullet making it through.

I used a hot glue gun to attach the mesh screen and it's quite strong with minimal to no mess.

Removing the grill can be done without removing the entire front end but it's not easy. I had to make a tool to push open the clips around the grill and lower fenders. Remove the top clips last as they need room to move/slide or they will break.