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[wrangler07]

I don't normally do alot cosmetically to my Jeeps but lately I've been having a bit of fun "personalizing" my JK.. I've mostly replaced the hinges and small peripheral hardware with good quality stainless steel stuff and have pimped the interior a wee bit, too. Will post some pics over the next week. The one thing that bugged me somewhat, though, was the grille. Whilst being able to see straight through the grille and into the radiator and other stuff was quite "industrial" it was also butt ugly and left the radiator front partially unprotected.. So, did a bit of a search for grille inserts and to a great extent I came up empty handed.

There were some chromed plastic jobbies but they were hellish expensive and in my opinion just way too shiny:





There were some black mesh ones and a few others but the only ones I personally liked were going to cost over £200 by the time I'd shipped them and then there would be tax to pay on top.

So, I decided to go see the local metal working shop. We had a chat and decided that a decent piece of stainless steel with 8mm round holes would look the best and promptly ordered some. Yesterday it arrived and we cut it to size and fitted it. Fortunately, because we managed to nail the required dimensions exactly so it literally clipped into place and was rock solid from the off, meaning it required no drilling, no attachment pieces and could be removed in seconds with no fuss at all. Here's a couple of quick pics to show you the end result:





Not only is it solid and sits firmly and securely in place, it's also a really nice heavy piece of steel and the satin finish really works and doesn't cause the grille to look too blingy. In total it cost me £100 for the materials and cutting time but because you could only order a minimum size I actually got two grilles from it. So, if anyone wants the other one for £50 plus postage feel free to send me a PM!

[Bulldog67]

Done something similiar to the CJ as felt the rad was vunlerable to a flying stone, but not quite that heavy or condense, used like a rigid wire mesh. Wont that stop a lot of air flow?

U were right to ditch the plastic chrome theory tho 

ps. ya number plate is illegal

[wrangler07]

Can't see a problem with the airflow. Still plenty of 8mm holes to allow air in.

Number plate is bespoke and designed to avoid speed camera tickets.

[Panic mechanic!]

looks good but you need wider tyres/alloys by the look of it, needs fattening up a bit.

[wrangler07]

looks good but you need wider tyres/alloys by the look of it, needs fattening up a bit.

Oh, don't worry, they're on my radar!!

[wrangler07]

Here's a couple more shots of her:





and here's one of the interior I talked about earlier:

[Bulldog67]

I never noticed before but those front bumpers are like a park bench    handy for when ya out spectating somewhere

u like ya toy mr wrangler07 dont ya!

[wrangler07]

I never noticed before but those front bumpers are like a park bench    handy for when ya out spectating somewhere

u like ya toy mr wrangler07 dont ya!

They are!! I sit on them regularly!
Yes, I do!

[Bulldog67]

Nice place for an early cuppa and the newspaper on a sunny mornin

I need bigger bumpers 

[momos]

I never noticed before but those front bumpers are like a park bench    handy for when ya out spectating somewhere

u like ya toy mr wrangler07 dont ya!

omg I thought that too, see so many on here with the winch bumpers it looks odd.....not a bad thing! 
what with that and the gapping holes where the wheels should go, looks like funsies 
cant believe it dont come with aircon? too many leccy things mean too many headaches 

[tim_aka_tim]

Can't see a problem with the airflow. Still plenty of 8mm holes to allow air in.

Keep an eye on the cooling situation. Dunno about the new ones, but older VM engines
have serious issues about being overheated, even a little bit.

[wrangler07]

Can't see a problem with the airflow. Still plenty of 8mm holes to allow air in.

Keep an eye on the cooling situation. Dunno about the new ones, but older VM engines
have serious issues about being overheated, even a little bit.

Will do and thanks for the tip. I think plenty of air is being allowed through but will keep my eye on it and report back.

[Bulldog67]

was thinkin bout this mod today, and was thinkin it would look better painted black imho

[isle of man]

Is it just me? I see that bumper and I think of a sexual position - it just screams from behind!!!!

[Bulldog67]

hmmmmm 

u got this jeep peccadillo thing bad Mr H 

[scrw]

Is it just me? I see that bumper and I think of a sexual position - it just screams from behind!!!!

won't the new grill inserts chaffe your boyfriend?  

[isle of man]

won't the new grill inserts chaffe you boyfriend? 

Whats one of them? does ""you" equate to youth???

[scrw]

there, spilling sarted

[isle of man]

Tis a Porto night I see triple....

[wrangler07]

was thinkin bout this mod today, and was thinkin it would look better painted black imho

Had thought about that but personally I prefer the steel look.

[wrangler07]

Can't see a problem with the airflow. Still plenty of 8mm holes to allow air in.

Keep an eye on the cooling situation. Dunno about the new ones, but older VM engines
have serious issues about being overheated, even a little bit.

Will do and thanks for the tip. I think plenty of air is being allowed through but will keep my eye on it and report back.

Did quite a few miles yesterday and temp guage shows no difference to before. Looking good.