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-   -   Home depot grill mod. You want to see my what!! (https://maxima.org/forums/5th-generation-maxima-2000-2003/366533-home-depot-grill-mod-you-want-see-my-what.html)

Derrick2k2SE 08-26-2006 07:49 PM

Home depot grill mod. You want to see my what!!
 
I haven't seen this done so if it has please don't flame me.

I wanted something different than the stock grill but the aftermarket replacements were a bit too much for me. I'm going for a look that's different but doesn't scream "aftermarket". I wanted to incorperate the stock grill into a mod that was more low key.

I plan on blacking the mesh out to match the lower pieces. I'm planning on blacking out and clearing the lights and painting the chrome trim around the windows also. Basicaly going with the blacked out look.

I did a quick install to show how it looks before painting. I think it looks kind of cool unpainted but it doesn't fit what I'm going for.

I was planning on leaving tabs on the pieces to install them but figured out it would be better without them when I did the bottom two. You can see the tabs a little bit on some of the pieces but those won't be there when I'm done. Like I said, this isn't the final install. Just for pics.

I'll post more pics when I get them painted.

Let me know what you think.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...H-grill005.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...I-grill013.jpg

AcerX 08-26-2006 08:02 PM

I LIKE it!

irish44j 08-26-2006 08:07 PM

looks good (and familiar) ;) Don't know if I've seen any 5.5 guys with it yet, so maybe you're the first....

i assume that's the standard galvanized gutter guard material?

mine is kind of hard to see in this shot because it's painted black....

[img]http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j8...Untitled-1.jpg[/img]

Metal Maxima 08-26-2006 08:12 PM

Very nice indeed!

hawnboy 08-26-2006 08:12 PM

Looks good! I like the all black look that you'll be trying to imitate like the one irish has.

LA02MAX 08-26-2006 08:14 PM

I really like it like that, but I agree that it does look a little too bright for the color of your car.

irish44j 08-26-2006 08:14 PM

oh, I forgot to mention the mesh is GREAT if you like collecting various insects in the grille. My collection includes several wasps, bees, butterflies, moths, and a cicada :lolrun:

It has also helped out my collection of leaves. :woot:

irish44j 08-26-2006 08:15 PM


Originally Posted by LA02MAX
You did an excellent job on the cutting. Did you make a bunch of templates first? I really like it like that, but I agree that it does look a little too bright for the color of your car.

if he did it like I did, it's just one big piece (well, actually 2 - one on each side of the grille center) running behind the OEM grille. Stays in place better that way.

If he actually DID cut it though, it's very impressive how straight it is, no doubt.

Derrick2k2SE 08-26-2006 08:20 PM

[QUOTE=irish44j]looks good (and familiar) ;) Don't know if I've seen any 5.5 guys with it yet, so maybe you're the first....

i assume that's the standard galvanized gutter guard material?

mine is kind of hard to see in this shot because it's painted black....

QUOTE]
Yeah, same stuff. I started playing with it to cover the lower scoops because my AC condencer was getting really beat up from debris. I started thinking that one good hit could take it out leaving me with no AC here in Florida.

Does yours install from behind the grill? I think it'll be more visible on the 5.5 grill even after painting.

CaTalyst.X 08-26-2006 08:21 PM

That looks awesome, best ive seen

Derrick2k2SE 08-26-2006 08:32 PM


Originally Posted by irish44j
if he did it like I did, it's just one big piece (well, actually 2 - one on each side of the grille center) running behind the OEM grille. Stays in place better that way.

If he actually DID cut it though, it's very impressive how straight it is, no doubt.

It's actually six pieces cut by hand and installed in the front of the grill. The 5.5 grill has too much going on behind it to fit anything in there. I wanted it in front of the supports and other pieces. They snug up against the supports that run up and down between the two big horizontal slats.

I did use cardboard templates to get the basic shape then trimmed them to fit. Since they're in front they have to be just right. The edges don't go behind anything. They're right there.

lowincash 08-26-2006 08:47 PM

that looks really nice good job on it. i've always loved the stock grill and never liked the all grill look. but this is very nice with them both integrated together.

Skylowmax 08-26-2006 08:55 PM

DAMN Man that looks HOT...I want mines Just like that!! where u get that grill from?

SoonerFan 08-26-2006 08:59 PM

i had that done on my 00 (and long before josh did it. i do some things before he does!!)

misiek 08-26-2006 09:16 PM

looks pretty sweet are you blacking out the stock grill as well?

cil1jtr02max 08-26-2006 09:21 PM

looks real nice withouth the paint, though i do want to see it painted. I may have to bite that mod.

Derrick2k2SE 08-26-2006 09:23 PM


Originally Posted by Skylowmax
DAMN Man that looks HOT...I want mines Just like that!! where u get that grill from?

Thanks, Grill material is from Home Depot. If you really want a set send me a PM and we can work something out.

Derrick2k2SE 08-26-2006 09:28 PM


Originally Posted by misiek
looks pretty sweet are you blacking out the stock grill as well?

I probably will. I'm going to paint the inserts first and see how it looks.


Originally Posted by cil1jtr02max
looks real nice withouth the paint, though i do want to see it painted. I may have to bite that mod.

I'll probably paint tomorrow and post pics in the evening.

zagzig 08-26-2006 11:22 PM

Wow, that looks pretty cool. Can you go into a little detail about how they're mounted/attached? Did you take the grill off to make your templates and install the pieces?

1996blackmax 08-27-2006 01:54 AM

Nice job! I am wondering how that would look like on my white 02..... :)

westler92 08-27-2006 03:21 AM

I like the Lowe's aftermarket grill better

BLUEMAX01SE 08-27-2006 10:54 AM

Perfect! Thats what kind of look I was going for on mine too, but I tried it a few years back with chicken fence, yeah yeah yeah I know! Turned out ok, but hard to see in the back ground like Irish's Max. But I'm definitely diggin yours Derrick. Nice job, looks like it came that way from the factory!

EnemyKhan 08-27-2006 11:14 AM

that looks awesome! I need to start some cheap/easier-ish mods on my max soon, this is high on the list. Looks great, nice job!

illlojik 08-27-2006 11:26 AM

Thumbs up to you guy.:thumbsup: Looks good even just like that.

Orgullo 08-27-2006 04:18 PM

Great job man... I did this with my stock grille but had the grille painted the same color as the car. With yours being blue you could paint your grille the same color then add the mesh behind it. I think it would set it off for sure having just the nissan biscuit and mesh with the chrome look.

nelainaform 08-27-2006 04:30 PM

looks really good! im looking for something to do with my 2001 GLE...i cant seem to find anything that i like but that looks good! Id love to see a how-to as far as placement and mounting, or pay you to make some for me:cool:

Derrick2k2SE 08-27-2006 05:01 PM


Originally Posted by nelainaform
looks really good! im looking for something to do with my 2001 GLE...i cant seem to find anything that i like but that looks good! Id love to see a how-to as far as placement and mounting, or pay you to make some for me:cool:

Your car has a different grill. Irish has a picture of his setup higher up in this thread. He has the same grill as your car.

Derrick2k2SE 08-27-2006 05:05 PM

I got the pieces painted and reinstalled today. Here are the pics with them blacked out. I'm going to paint the whole grill soon. The front of the car is still too bright. I didn't have great light for the pictures. The mesh stands out a little more in real life.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...K-grill031.jpg
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...L-grill032.jpg
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...N-grill033.jpg

cil1jtr02max 08-27-2006 05:38 PM

looks nice and understated now. I think i like it better without the paint, myself.

MDeezy 08-27-2006 05:51 PM

good craftman ship. I prefer body color oem grill > *

but it looks good and orignal.

D-Bo 08-27-2006 06:19 PM

Definitely looks better blacked out. Nice work. :thumbsup:

illlojik 08-27-2006 06:39 PM

Looks perfect now.

CoolMax 08-27-2006 07:51 PM

I like either way.:gotme:

Nice job.:thumbsup:

san shou fan 08-27-2006 08:55 PM

Looks a lot better blacked out. Good job.

Orgullo 08-27-2006 09:21 PM

I still think you should paint your OEM grille to match your car and go with the chrome look for the mesh and Nissan emblem. None the less though man... good finish.

nelainaform 08-28-2006 05:15 AM


Originally Posted by Derrick2k2SE
Your car has a different grill. Irish has a picture of his setup higher up in this thread. He has the same grill as your car.

seen thanks. your hd grill def looks better black...nice job!:drool:

Skier 08-28-2006 09:04 AM

VERY NICE! :ben:
I was just looking at the aftermarket grills and cringed at the prices. I think it looked better before paint though (no offense). It really "popped". I have the titanium paint, so it will be more subtle, but should look great. Thanks... Now I have something inexpensive to do over the holiday weekend.

Lethal 08-28-2006 09:11 AM

This has been done before by skoodaddy. The only difference is he wrapped his in rubber door guard molding. Looks good :)

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=438166

MacGarnicle 08-28-2006 11:21 AM

I like how it stands out.. leave it like that for a bit, see what the reaction is.

Rayn4est 08-28-2006 04:00 PM

I like it either way myself. I've got a polished titanium and I think it would look good on it unpainted. I smell a project.


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