Bandit Runner's Grille Mod

Bandit Runner · 11-09-2009, 08:07 AM

I finally got around to finishing my grille modification. It is a little different than the Satoshi mod, but as usual, I always try to be a little different than the rest.

Here's what it looked like before I started. (Sorry, its kind of hard to see.)

I used my 2002 grille and cut out all of the vertical and horizontal ribs leaving two open sections. I covered the nice glossy surfaces with blue painters tape to protect them while cutting, filing and sanding the ribs out. It looked like this:

The horizontal rib in the upper opening intersected the center oval shape, so when I cut that rib out, it left a hole in the top of the oval. I had to epoxy some plastic pieces and bondo it to fill it back in. You can kind of see it here:

For the screen mesh, I ordered some 3/16" hole pattern aluminum mesh from McMaster's. It very closely matches the mesh inside the hood scoop area. Here are the two pieces cut out to fit behind the openings:

Then I painted the grille openings and mesh semi-gloss black.

To attach the mesh, I had to epoxy some plastic chunks to the back of the grille, to screw the mesh into. (Sorry, I forgot to take pics of the back of the grille, to show the attachment, but no screws can be seen from the front) Here it is with the mesh attached:

Here it is completed in the truck:

I really like the way it turned out. It looks much cleaner without all of those odd-colored ribs in there. When I build my custom bumper next spring, It will have openings in the front that will be filled with the same mesh, so everything matches.

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02_Limited · 11-09-2009, 08:30 AM

Nice, subtle and clean mod. If you're not a fan of that odd colored grey plastic that's in your front valence, painting it black makes it look a little better. At least it looked better after on my Silver 4R, on your black one I could only imagine that it would look even better

Bandit Runner · 11-10-2009, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Nice, subtle and clean mod. If you're not a fan of that odd colored grey plastic that's in your front valence, painting it black makes it look a little better. At least it looked better after on my Silver 4R, on your black one I could only imagine that it would look even better

Thanks, yours looks real good too!

X-AWDriver · 11-10-2009, 12:56 PM

Nice mod bandit;I like to get around to doing mine in a similar fashion.

bak3rme · 12-18-2009, 10:09 AM

that looks hellllllllllllllllllllaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa a good man good job

emptypockets · 12-19-2009, 06:58 AM

What a clean looking mod. I've been wanting to do this myself and seeing yours definitely helps the decision! The only problem with my rig is that the grille's chrome and my rig is white. So doing mine in black is out of the question. Maybe an aluminum color would work well...would match the mesh at least.

11-10-2009, 12:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
X-AWDriver Contributing Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Littleton,CO Posts: 10,333	Nice mod bandit;I like to get around to doing mine in a similar fashion. __________________ '99 4Runner Highlander 4wd E-locker,rear diff and deckplate mod * 265/75/16 Nitto TerraGrapplers * Yakima Load Warrior rack * clear corners/signals * Tacoma skidplate * Silverstar lamps/fogs Alpine CDA-9831,Bazooka EL Series 250w amp,MTX 10" sub

12-19-2009, 06:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
emptypockets Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Spencer, Iowa Posts: 863	What a clean looking mod. I've been wanting to do this myself and seeing yours definitely helps the decision! The only problem with my rig is that the grille's chrome and my rig is white. So doing mine in black is out of the question. Maybe an aluminum color would work well...would match the mesh at least. __________________ Model: '02 4Runner SR5 - White On Natural Oak, Tan Interior Engine/Performance: 3.4L V6, Auto, AndyMod, Jardine Catback Exhaust, S&B Intake Rear Suspension: 3.75" lift with LC coils and Rancho RS5000 shocks Front Suspension: 3" lift with OME 882 springs and OME N91sc shocks, Diff Drop Tires: 285/75 R16 Fierce Attitude M/T's, Pacer 164P Alloy Wheels Misc: Full Time Power Outlet Mod, Extra Power Outlet Mod, GE Nighthawks My Profile: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2915959

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12-18-2009, 10:09 AM	#5 (permalink)
bak3rme Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 138	that looks hellllllllllllllllllllaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa a good man good job