I was waiting for the tut after I saw this in the "Post What You Did..." thread!! Nice writeup!
Note: I am not responsible for any damages to your grille, bumper, headlights, and your fingers.
OP Notes: This is an old request from Kalamidad 6 years ago but never came to light. Basically, it was inspired from Krispy03 build but there were no actual -how to's- tutorials anywhere. So enjoy!
How to: Modify USDM Grille to fit JDM Heads
(this applies to 99-01 griiles and 02-03)
Here's a pic of the ghetto install:
(Wrong Way!!!!)
(you can't really see it unless unless you're up close...)
Here's a few tips why it was installed wrong:
- sides were not shaved for headlight clearence
- because sides were not adjusted right the tab mounters will not allign
- lower tab mount rubbing against the bumper thus making it look warped and sticks out of the bumper.
The correct way:
All you need are:
- Dremel or any rotary tool (cutter & sander bits)
- one functional oem grille
1. On the first pic, notice the corners has been shaved off slightly (with a rotary cutter) to give some room for the jdm heads. To make this fit, I made no additional cutting necessary just the corners you see below.
2. Using the rotary cutter I cut 3/4 to 1 inch from the end of the grille. If you notice from the pic below I cut through by following the contours of the grille. This was to make the grille fit within the contours of the headlights.
3. Using a rotary sander, I sanded the back of the grille from where I cut from step 2. This will ensure the grille wouldn't rub against the headlights.
4. Using the rotary sander, I sanded off a small layer from the 3 bottom bottom tabs to prevent it from rubbing against the bumper
5. You will be using all but 2 mounting tabs. All top tabs will be utilized. On the bottom tabs, only the middle will be used as the 2 corner tabs has no place connect (or obvious reasons)
This is the finished product. The grille is flush with the bumper, no warpage, and nothing sticks out as if it was forced in (no homo). This tutorial may be appled to 02-03 grilles as basic design are similar to the 99-01 design. Enjoy! :)
I was waiting for the tut after I saw this in the "Post What You Did..." thread!! Nice writeup!
-Greg
"I smashed up the grey one, bought me a red;
Every time we hit the parking lot we turn heads!"
-Pimp C, "International Players Anthem"
Lancer/EvolutionX Rotor Glow Paint
6g74 Forged Engine w/ hx40 turbo
Eclipse GT 5 spd swapped
Rotor Glow Galant
Daily Galant
OZ Edition Eclipse
That's not the point of this tut. I didn't do this to prove anyone wrong. I did this because the ones who have done it in the past installed it poorly. I do have a JDM grille. In fact I have 2 of them sitting in the garage. This tutorial was made in request from Kalamidad a while back. They look flush or else I wouldn't bother making a tut for it. I also have better pics I'll post them later tonight.
Last edited by G-spot; 07-05-2011 at 02:50 PM
huh? they don't look as flush as a JDM grill w/ JDM headlights (or USDM headlights w/ USDM grill) does. maybe it's just the pics u posted but the grill looks like it is protruding out further than the headlights and it is not only too big but is also not flush to the bumper on the bottom edge making it appear to float. this tutorial could be helpful for ideas for the '02-'03 grills to modify them to accept JDM heads i guess, but for the '99-'01 grill, it's both easier and much better looking, to just use a JDM grill if you go w/ JDM heads.
I like the idea, however it seems like the grill sticks out in front of the lights too much, maybe it's just the pics.
OZ Rally Crew #001, Quaife Club member :D
There's alot wrong with this car, everything clashes...
Please look at my solution. ;)
Great mod to save some cash. Good work G-Spot.
-Greg
"I smashed up the grey one, bought me a red;
Every time we hit the parking lot we turn heads!"
-Pimp C, "International Players Anthem"
As you can see, I cut something about 1.5cm from both sides, maybe a little bit more.
About glue I don't remember, what I found in garage I used. ;) Just put it more from behind and left for one day.
Bookmarks