Grill Mod
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Conifer, CO
Blue Bruin's Grill Mod
I found using a paint can opener worked well to remove the plastic "screws". For those who are wondering, here is what the "screws" look like:
I found a piece of aluminum sheet at Lowes for $25. It was in the nuts&bolts isle by the small amount of raw steel they carry. I figured it was worth a try since it was quite a bit cheaper than ordering from McMaster Carr's like a lot of people do, plus you don't have to pay shipping.
I chose this clover leaf pattern. They had a few different options, but I thought this looked good and will let enough air through.
I used cardboard to make a template. Mine "hangs" on the top of the radiator frame where the grill attaches. Basically, it follows the same shape and size as the back of the grill. Here is my template.
Test fitting
You don't really need to attach the sheet in any way, it will be held behind the grill with the pressure of the grill pushing on it. However, I noticed during my test fit that the sheet tended to bow and create a gap at the bottom of the grill slots. So, I used another popular method to attach the sheet, which is using zip ties. First you get the sticky backs and attach them to back of the grill. I used gorilla glue to attach them since the sticky backing never holds. Here is what the grill looks like. You can see my zip ties holding the grill at the bottom.
Here is the finished product! You can't quite see what it will look like because I have my bumper off for my next mod...
I found a piece of aluminum sheet at Lowes for $25. It was in the nuts&bolts isle by the small amount of raw steel they carry. I figured it was worth a try since it was quite a bit cheaper than ordering from McMaster Carr's like a lot of people do, plus you don't have to pay shipping.
I chose this clover leaf pattern. They had a few different options, but I thought this looked good and will let enough air through.
I used cardboard to make a template. Mine "hangs" on the top of the radiator frame where the grill attaches. Basically, it follows the same shape and size as the back of the grill. Here is my template.
Test fitting
You don't really need to attach the sheet in any way, it will be held behind the grill with the pressure of the grill pushing on it. However, I noticed during my test fit that the sheet tended to bow and create a gap at the bottom of the grill slots. So, I used another popular method to attach the sheet, which is using zip ties. First you get the sticky backs and attach them to back of the grill. I used gorilla glue to attach them since the sticky backing never holds. Here is what the grill looks like. You can see my zip ties holding the grill at the bottom.
Here is the finished product! You can't quite see what it will look like because I have my bumper off for my next mod...
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Mundelein, IL
Being as that I was a bit intimidated by finding the right stuff in Home Deopt, McMaster Carr, and others, I found this item in Ebay : 180400905573 and the cost was $46.00 delivered.
In the kit was this:
This was the supplies needed as well in the picture.
The kit came with the mesh grille inserts, the pre-stuck anchors , and the plastic Ty-wraps. I did take off all of the cheapo foam sticky pads and replaced them with heavy duty 3-M double sided Heavy Duty sticky tape.
Then the install, and finished product:
Now it looks much nicer and finished in the front grille area, I think it goes well with the Stainless Bumpers
In the kit was this:
This was the supplies needed as well in the picture.
The kit came with the mesh grille inserts, the pre-stuck anchors , and the plastic Ty-wraps. I did take off all of the cheapo foam sticky pads and replaced them with heavy duty 3-M double sided Heavy Duty sticky tape.
Then the install, and finished product:
Now it looks much nicer and finished in the front grille area, I think it goes well with the Stainless Bumpers
Thanks for the tip about Ebay. I like it, and it's a good price.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 0
From: DALLAS, TX
looks identical to the sheet I bought at lowes that was 2.5 ft by 5 ft for 7 bucks. dunno if its all worth 50 bucks
JK Newbie
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, FL
Grill mod
Yep, did my mod from items I picked up at Home Depot for cheap! All in all it cost me about $22 and an hour or so of work. Easy and cool mod! I can't tell you how many bugs have met their match that could have wound up in my radiator! Rocks too!
Thanks to whomever came up with this!
Thanks to whomever came up with this!
