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I wanted to get a lower front grill to match the rs upper front grill when I would buy one. I searched on the web for a lower front grill and the cheapest ones I could find were at least $100. I decided I'd rather make one myself. I heard about people doing this so I thought it couldn't be too hard. The list of things I needed was:

1. (instructions) Get the lower front grill instructions from www.grillcraft.com (these I used to take off my front bumper and get a look at the inside of it before I did mine). I noticed that i could take a steel mesh screen and bend it to fit easily.

2. (parts) Go to your local hardware store and buy a Steel Gutter Guard Screens and a box (at least 10 screws) of #6 x 1/2" Wood Screws (they work well digging in plastic)...#6 is the width and 1/2" is the length

3. (tools) you'll need a flathead, phillips screwdriver, something to cut the excess steel (i used my dremel), and a 7/64 drill bit and drill (don't want to break the plastic

Start:
bumper removal...read grillcraft instructions...easy as pie


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[IMG]/forums/themes/orbitz/paperclip.gif[/IMG] nobump.JPG (34 Kb)

 
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inside bumper


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[IMG]/forums/themes/orbitz/paperclip.gif[/IMG] bump_inside.JPG (30 Kb)

 
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prep the gutter guard and paint if needed

(i painted my black as i didn't want too much notice...i like sublte themes...black...i will be getting rid of the upper chrome grill with the jdm unit)


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[IMG]/forums/themes/orbitz/paperclip.gif[/IMG] gutterguard.JPG (20 Kb)

 
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cut the gutter guard to fit the inside of the bumper...fold over the top and bottom ends leave about 1"...noone can see it anyway




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[IMG]/forums/themes/orbitz/paperclip.gif[/IMG] gg_ready_1.JPG (13 Kb)

 
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side pic of ready piece


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[IMG]/forums/themes/orbitz/paperclip.gif[/IMG] gg_ready_2.JPG (39 Kb)

 
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drill with 7/64 drill bit (be careful to drill straight and steady...only need to go 1/4" in for screw...you can use a colored [nonblack] perm marker to mark on the drill bit when to stop) at each area you can make it work...look at the pics to see what i did


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[IMG]/forums/themes/orbitz/paperclip.gif[/IMG] install_1.JPG (37 Kb)

 
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closeup


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[IMG]/forums/themes/orbitz/paperclip.gif[/IMG] install_2.JPG (37 Kb)

 
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i put in as much as i could...about 16 screws...more than the 10 i bought...but i bought a whole box...just don't want it rattling or coming off


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outside done pic


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[IMG]/forums/themes/orbitz/paperclip.gif[/IMG] outside_1.JPG (24 Kb)

 
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close up outside pic


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[IMG]/forums/themes/orbitz/paperclip.gif[/IMG] outside_close.JPG (28 Kb)

 
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awesome! thanks for the step-by-step install w/ pics, dude. that rocks

got any pics of your entire car with the grill installed on it?

 
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done


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[IMG]/forums/themes/orbitz/paperclip.gif[/IMG] done1.JPG (18 Kb)

 
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hey...you caught me as i was uploading my pics..but here they are

it's kinda hard to see it from afar...but upclose it looks nice


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[IMG]/forums/themes/orbitz/paperclip.gif[/IMG] done2.JPG (24 Kb)

 
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wow very nice effort, but don't you think it would look better if you cut da horizontal black plastic out...because rite now you can't really tell you have a grill there...but still looks very nice...

 
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Just wanted to add my own 2 cents to your DIY... by the way, very nice.


Here's how I did my lower grill, using some mesh from home depot...

Pic #1

Pic #2

Pic #3

It shows up a little better... but I'm thinking about re-doing the whole thing

 
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<< wow very nice effort, but don't you think it would look better if you cut da horizontal black plastic out...because rite now you can't really tell you have a grill there...but still looks very nice... >>



i contemplated doing that...but i didn't want to cut out that part. mine is less noticeable b/c i painted it black and it is inside as opposed to being at the front of the horizontal plastic pieces. i'm doing a theme for this car...i want subtle performance cues

 
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<< It shows up a little better... but I'm thinking about re-doing the whole thing >>



actually i think it looks nice on your silver car...take some pics of it on during the day