Grill Mod
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Sugar Hill, GA
Just finished the grill mod! Took about 2 1/2 hours from start to finish. I had never taken the grill off so that added a little time. Thanks for all the info in the thread! Hardest part was getting the sticky stuff off of the zip tie blocks.
BTW: My wife said, "Have fun doing your craft project!"
BTW: My wife said, "Have fun doing your craft project!"
Last edited by MSmitty; Nov 23, 2010 at 11:27 AM.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 9
From: Hamilton, NJ
Just did mine too
This should have come on my jeep, it just looks like it came with it anyway.
Took me 2 hours, got everything at Lowes, $40.00 but have enough extra, might be able to do a friends.
Mine is the plastic gutter guard method. I think the tighter you make it, the better it is, and zip tie it, in the same order that you would screw on a tire, so it pulls evenly.
Now it's time for leftover Turkey.
Took me 2 hours, got everything at Lowes, $40.00 but have enough extra, might be able to do a friends.
Mine is the plastic gutter guard method. I think the tighter you make it, the better it is, and zip tie it, in the same order that you would screw on a tire, so it pulls evenly.
Now it's time for leftover Turkey.
JK Newbie
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: amarillo,tx
Originally Posted by horrocks007
This should have come on my jeep, it just looks like it came with it anyway.
Took me 2 hours, got everything at Lowes, $40.00 but have enough extra, might be able to do a friends.
Mine is the plastic gutter guard method. I think the tighter you make it, the better it is, and zip tie it, in the same order that you would screw on a tire, so it pulls evenly.
Now it's time for leftover Turkey.
Took me 2 hours, got everything at Lowes, $40.00 but have enough extra, might be able to do a friends.
Mine is the plastic gutter guard method. I think the tighter you make it, the better it is, and zip tie it, in the same order that you would screw on a tire, so it pulls evenly.
Now it's time for leftover Turkey.
JK Newbie
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Northern NV
Gutter guard method here. Thanks to the OP for this mod idea.
BTW: probably already mentioned but, while removing the grill, I found it easier to spin out the turn indicator bulb housing rather than disconnect the electrical connector.
BTW: probably already mentioned but, while removing the grill, I found it easier to spin out the turn indicator bulb housing rather than disconnect the electrical connector.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 141
Likes: 1
From: Danbury,CT
My Jeep Grill Mod
OK so I was tired of having to pull leaves out from behind my grill and trying to squeeze my hand back behind always left my with cuts and scrapes! Not to mention that winter is coming and I really didn’t feel like having my radiator bashed up with all the rocks and sand that can get kicked up during a New England winter. SO I decided to perform a grill mod on my jeep. It is a fairly simple mod that just takes a little time to do.
The first thing you need to do is pull the 6 retaining plugs for the top of the grill. If it’s cold outside you may want to warm them up with a hairdryer first or you may find yourself purchasing 6 new ones because the were brittle can the tops cracked off.
Instead of disconnecting the turn signals I merely removed the bulbs which allowed the grill to pull free.
You have to do a number of things before really starting this project. I bought self adhesive zip tie blocks at Lowe’s (part # 45-1MBUVL, SKU 0 32076 07261 2). I soaked the adhesive backing off the mounting blocks. This takes a bit of time.
After prepping the back of the grill, I started attaching the mounting blocks with Gorilla Glue. The mounting blocks came in 1 inch and fit perfectly!
At this point you need to wait awhile until the glue sets up but once it does it’s a matter of attaching the material you chose for the grill. I chose plastic gutter covers. I was easy to work with, cheap and didn’t have to be painted. I did need a pair of hemostats to pull the zip ties through.
Trim of the excess zip tie and replace the grill on the front of your jeep and you’re all set!
Total Time?
Removing grill… 5 minutes
Peeling adhesive backing… 45 minutes
Glueing down the mounting blocks… 5 minutes
Attaching the grill material… 30 minutes
Replacing grill… 5 minutes
The first thing you need to do is pull the 6 retaining plugs for the top of the grill. If it’s cold outside you may want to warm them up with a hairdryer first or you may find yourself purchasing 6 new ones because the were brittle can the tops cracked off.
Instead of disconnecting the turn signals I merely removed the bulbs which allowed the grill to pull free.
You have to do a number of things before really starting this project. I bought self adhesive zip tie blocks at Lowe’s (part # 45-1MBUVL, SKU 0 32076 07261 2). I soaked the adhesive backing off the mounting blocks. This takes a bit of time.
After prepping the back of the grill, I started attaching the mounting blocks with Gorilla Glue. The mounting blocks came in 1 inch and fit perfectly!
At this point you need to wait awhile until the glue sets up but once it does it’s a matter of attaching the material you chose for the grill. I chose plastic gutter covers. I was easy to work with, cheap and didn’t have to be painted. I did need a pair of hemostats to pull the zip ties through.
Trim of the excess zip tie and replace the grill on the front of your jeep and you’re all set!
Total Time?
Removing grill… 5 minutes
Peeling adhesive backing… 45 minutes
Glueing down the mounting blocks… 5 minutes
Attaching the grill material… 30 minutes
Replacing grill… 5 minutes
JK Newbie
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Grill mod in Union Jack Pattern
Single sheet of aluminum I picked up at Lowes in the Union Jack Pattern. Thought it looked cool and unique. Used liquid nails to glue down the tie holders. Make sure you wait for the glue to dry. Did the grill one evening after work and then put the grill on the next morning. Picture is not the best but will try to take some better one. Silver 4dr JK with black top, wheels and trim.
JK Freak
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 670
Likes: 0
From: Nokesville, Va
Single sheet of aluminum I picked up at Lowes in the Union Jack Pattern. Thought it looked cool and unique. Used liquid nails to glue down the tie holders. Make sure you wait for the glue to dry. Did the grill one evening after work and then put the grill on the next morning. Picture is not the best but will try to take some better one. Silver 4dr JK with black top, wheels and trim.
JK Newbie
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
I have had this insert on my grill for the past 6+ months (through our hottest summer days). It was painted black prior to me painting my grill. I have never had a problem with engine temp. The guage is at the same mark it was prior to me installing it.
Agree, that is a concern of mine. I have read through this thread and it has come up a few times. ScottG above appears to have a lot more coverage than me and reports that he has not had a problem through a hot summer. I will let you know how it does this summer. I guess the good news is since I have the tie downs glued it, it would not be that much work to change it out in favor of a more air friendly screen.
[/IMG]Agree, that is a concern of mine. I have read through this thread and it has come up a few times. ScottG above appears to have a lot more coverage than me and reports that he has not had a problem through a hot summer. I will let you know how it does this summer. I guess the good news is since I have the tie downs glued it, it would not be that much work to change it out in favor of a more air friendly screen.
