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.

 

I LIKE it!

 

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][/img]

 

Very nice indeed!

 

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

 

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

 

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

It has also helped out my collection of leaves.

 

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.

 

[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.

 

That looks awesome, best ive seen

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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?

 

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

 

I like the Lowe's aftermarket grill better

 

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!

 

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!

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

but it looks good and orignal.

 

Definitely looks better blacked out. Nice work.

 

Looks perfect now.

 

I like either way.

Nice job.

 

Looks a lot better blacked out. Good job.

 

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.

 

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

 

VERY NICE!
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.

 

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

 

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

 

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.