Can We Discuss This Front-end Issue

Hawaiian In Town

Hawaiian In Town

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Jul 1, 2025
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T24A-FTS, 2TRFE
I see this problematic, has anyone owned or known someone who owned a Nissan Juke? I used to, and I was on a Juke forum discussing this vulnerable front-end.
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If stones came barreling towards that lower valance, your radiator got smashed and started leaking...
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Staring at the LC front (a couple bent fins in there) , I'm worried the same will eventually happen. Am I paranoid? Anybody have that front cover set? Thoughts, anybody?
 
Rock hits to ta vehicle's radiator, transmission cooler or A/C condenser are not unique to the Nissan Juke.

Grill inserts for protection of those pieces were a common thing in the Jeep Wrangler world I came from, but depending on the solution it becomes a risk vs. reward scenario. Inserts can cut down on air flow, which in turn can bump cooling system temperatures up if the design is too restrictive for air flow. Bugs and debris can always be washed out of the radiator fins, but damage from rocks and debris cannot.
 
EOD Guy said:
Amazon has mess grill inserts and rolls of grill mesh material.......
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That's the front grille cover set I mentioned at the end but if the LC250 does indeed have active grille shutters, then grille covers aren't necessary, right?
 
HI_LC250 said:
That's the front grille cover set I mentioned at the end but if the LC250 does indeed have active grille shutters, then grille covers aren't necessary, right?
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I mean, it's really up to you....... loose gravel/rocks in the area where you drive, might be worth the $20 investment for the mesh material vs full inserts.
 
Looks good. Tempting.
Let us know if you ever get a hole punched in the screen or other visible damage. That would be a hit to the radiator that was avoided.
 
Keep in mind that if you use these in mud, or wet snow, it will cake over the mesh. I have seen people having overheating issues in below zero temperatures in winter that turned out to be the mesh turning into a block of ice. I was surprised that the heat from the radiator wasn’t able to melt it though, but I assume when you drive at speed, below zero air blowing on is able to keep it frozen.
 
TakaraLC said:
Keep in mind that if you use these in mud, or wet snow, it will cake over the mesh. I have seen people having overheating issues in below zero temperatures in winter that turned out to be the mesh turning into a block of ice. I was surprised that the heat from the radiator wasn’t able to melt it though, but I assume when you drive at speed, below zero air blowing on is able to keep it frozen.
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Yes, I get it... just finished HVAC, that brought me more knowledge of airflow and blockages.
 
What's exactly is the point of this? Seems like the biggest benefit is so you don't have to wash the bugs away?
 
I live 3 miles down the road from the CDOT quarry that services Highway 285. On any given day I will pass a dozen or so trucks hauling aggregate/asphalt/base/etc.

It took me about $25 of material and 20 min of snipping and clipping to come up with a quick and dirty stone catcher. The grid size of the LC grill has 2" openings, #57 stone can easily pass through. I used 1/2 welded wire fence with a pvc coating which seems like a good size to catch the stones and debris that may cause more significant damage to the rad. without blocking too much air flow or be prone to filling up with snow in the winter time. Once I clean up the rubber stripping to make it look a little more clean, I plan on using six to eight 4" zip ties to keep things tidy.

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