Since I'm cheap I figured I would gut the heater grid for a free mod and try to gain some air flow. Not expecting alot but here in south Texas I figure what the heck. Fire away with questions if you have any. I think all I needed was a 10,11 and 12 mm wrenches/sockets for the job. I'll be doing another one soon and I'll try for a complete write up.

Mike

EDIT: Will add pics later this evening

 

My grid has been deleted, my relays are still plugged
in, on cold days I get low volt cel. I clear them but
it comes back when it gets cold again. Did you find a
way around this. I see you are Tex you may not get
cold enough to happen.

 

So far I have deleted 2 of my past trucks and have yet to throw a code on both 03s. I leave the relays in, just unhook the wires running from the relay to the grid. I haven't got a CEL yet and the coldest start I have had was about 14 degrees and it fired like a champ.

Something I have noticed on the 03s, both trucks will still pull the voltage down on a cooler starts as if it's still cycling for the grid heater. Maybe this is why I'm never get a CEL, not sure. Pics will be up this evening, and I should be doing another truck pretty soon, I'll try to get some more pics.

 

if you do not wait to start you will not get the cel. any time the truck is below 50* start the truck as soon as you turn the key on. you are better off cutting the two grids off rather than trying to remove them
http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/...rljr48/212.jpg

 

I just relocated batteries to the back, it hasn't
come on since I did this, and its still cold in
the morning. Moving wires did something.

 

what harm does the grid do?

 

I view it as air restriction, nothing to do with harm.
Everyone has their own opinion on that.

 

For me it is also an air restriction, so why not take it out. Keep in mind I see maybe 10 days of the year in the teens so cold starts are very seldom. This truck I bought had a block heater cord installed so in a worse case situation, I can just plug 'er in.

 

Finally got pics, disregard dirty finger nails

 

Is the increased air flow for power for fuel economy?

 

3rd gen's use an intake air temp of 66*F for the grid heaters.

 

In theory both...





However, it's probably some improvement in air flow, however I doubt you can tell. Then again, it can't hurt, right?