5.5 Grille in 5th Gen - Can it be done?
02-01-2011, 02:04 PM
#43
02-01-2011, 02:39 PM
#45
If u look at the OP's first pics lookign straight at the grill you can see where both sides of the bumper where it meets the hood are "Twisted" in a sense thus sucking in the gap between the bumper and grill... you can look at it it looks like on both sides up against the headlights they are pulled out and its throwing the hood gap off...
02-02-2011, 04:34 PM
#46
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Yeah to tweak it in looks like you need to push up on the top portion of the bumper moulding, thus bringing the sides & top corners in a bit... I'm talking to another member who messed around on a wrecker's bumper trying to do this and said it didn't go well, trying to get details for everyone so this can be a reference at the very minimum.
I'm still interested in trying, but now he has me wondering if it's worthwhile again.... hi's and low's... lol.... if it wasn't so dam cold out I'd already have just started cutting
I'm still interested in trying, but now he has me wondering if it's worthwhile again.... hi's and low's... lol.... if it wasn't so dam cold out I'd already have just started cutting
02-02-2011, 07:39 PM
#47
TunerMax I'm just fishing options for you in case this falls through
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KizULyeyN2M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KizULyeyN2M
02-03-2011, 08:50 AM
#48
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TunerMax I'm just fishing options for you in case this falls through
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KizULyeyN2M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KizULyeyN2M
Last edited by TunerMaxima3000; 02-03-2011 at 11:09 AM.
02-03-2011, 09:13 AM
#49
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Hey TunerMaxima3000 the gap does not look as bad as you think as it since on the car now sticks out on the bottom alittle but the top gap between the hood and the bumper pillars looks good. Taking alook at the other guys max the hood fiting the bumper pillars really looks bad if you ask me. Yea I notice the edges on the grille but only us car guys will notice it.
02-03-2011, 09:23 AM
#50
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It Fits!
So I fired up the Dremel and it fits in the hole 
Acutally I didn't have to do much to get to this point... may be because the stock grille was already cut out.
The grille is not secured, I just put one screw in the bottom to keep it from popping out (lots of tension currently) so I could take a couple quick pics.
This was done with an OEM 2002 Grille, on a 2001 Anniversary Edition.
I wasn't going to post the side shots because it looks BAD due to the bottom not being in all the way, but I wanted to put it up so you guys can see the process.
The bottom WILL tuck in all the way, it just needs to be secured, I think I may need to pull the bumper to do this properly, but I'll find out.
Obviously the gaps are apparent, but despite it looking crappy up close, it isn't acutally all that bad... once I get the grille so it's secured and easily removable I will address that issue.
I need to play with it a bit more at the bottom, the biggest concern is the bottom corners, the curve looks weird, but I think that's cause i need to pull the bumper and get everything in place (I hope).
Also, I pulled the upper bumper support bracket off, I may or may not try to reinstall it, but I think I'll be more likely to cut pieces off it and make 2 brackets out of it if I decide it's necessary.
The center of the grille is going to stick out a bit (when viewed from the side) but I have to assume the 5.5's are like that anyways...because that's the way the grille is curved, can someone post a side shot of the 5.5 showing the grille?
Don't worry when this is all said and done I will do a write up of some kind, but it currently reminds me of the Cefiro Headlight mod we used to do to the 4th gens... it looked good, but not show-quality due to fitment issues.
-Matt
Acutally I didn't have to do much to get to this point... may be because the stock grille was already cut out.
The grille is not secured, I just put one screw in the bottom to keep it from popping out (lots of tension currently) so I could take a couple quick pics.
This was done with an OEM 2002 Grille, on a 2001 Anniversary Edition.
I wasn't going to post the side shots because it looks BAD due to the bottom not being in all the way, but I wanted to put it up so you guys can see the process.
The bottom WILL tuck in all the way, it just needs to be secured, I think I may need to pull the bumper to do this properly, but I'll find out.
Obviously the gaps are apparent, but despite it looking crappy up close, it isn't acutally all that bad... once I get the grille so it's secured and easily removable I will address that issue.
I need to play with it a bit more at the bottom, the biggest concern is the bottom corners, the curve looks weird, but I think that's cause i need to pull the bumper and get everything in place (I hope).
Also, I pulled the upper bumper support bracket off, I may or may not try to reinstall it, but I think I'll be more likely to cut pieces off it and make 2 brackets out of it if I decide it's necessary.
The center of the grille is going to stick out a bit (when viewed from the side) but I have to assume the 5.5's are like that anyways...because that's the way the grille is curved, can someone post a side shot of the 5.5 showing the grille?
Don't worry when this is all said and done I will do a write up of some kind, but it currently reminds me of the Cefiro Headlight mod we used to do to the 4th gens... it looked good, but not show-quality due to fitment issues.
-Matt
Last edited by TunerMaxima3000; 02-03-2011 at 09:46 AM.
02-03-2011, 12:25 PM
#51
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Good work. Someone had some ***** to cut into the stock housing to make it work.
I blacked out my grill on my white 5.5 and I really like the way it turned out. However, I only painted the silver parts gloss black. I masked over all of the black plastic b/c I wanted the contrast of the flat black and gloss black.
I need to get some updated pics posted up...
I blacked out my grill on my white 5.5 and I really like the way it turned out. However, I only painted the silver parts gloss black. I masked over all of the black plastic b/c I wanted the contrast of the flat black and gloss black.
I need to get some updated pics posted up...
02-03-2011, 12:32 PM
#52
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Update
Good work. Someone had some ***** to cut into the stock housing to make it work.
I blacked out my grill on my white 5.5 and I really like the way it turned out. However, I only painted the silver parts gloss black. I masked over all of the black plastic b/c I wanted the contrast of the flat black and gloss black.
I need to get some updated pics posted up...
I blacked out my grill on my white 5.5 and I really like the way it turned out. However, I only painted the silver parts gloss black. I masked over all of the black plastic b/c I wanted the contrast of the flat black and gloss black.
I need to get some updated pics posted up...
Paint will definately be in store for the grille once the rest is figured out, chances are I'll be painting it same as you described too... but not sure yet..
UPDATE: Couple pics from the front with bumper off:
I've decided to Piggback this thread now that I've started fitting the grill. That thread is here > http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ml#post7917449
Last edited by TunerMaxima3000; 02-03-2011 at 08:50 PM.
02-04-2011, 08:53 AM
#53
Looks much better then when I attempted it. I am happy to see that the bottom got tucked away nicely. Just find something now that will fill the gaps on either side of the grille and it will look sexy
02-04-2011, 12:17 PM
#54
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Glad to hear I was able to get it tucked in further, sorry it didn't work out for you, maybe you can follow my soon to come DIY for it
02-04-2011, 02:30 PM
#55
I'm sure this has probably aready been considered, but how about a piece of rubber. You know that rubber strip thats glued to the inside of an oil filter wrench? Something wider or thicker or thinner or.......? Depending on your needs.
02-04-2011, 04:36 PM
#56
Haha ya I may have to but I do love the look the 5.5 gen bumper cover allot better. My friend and I are going to switch bumper covers since he is selling his Maxima this coming spring.
I went out and got 'Pro-Form PF 702' rigid plastic adhesive, will post how it turns out in the piggyback thread. See link http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ml#post7917449
Glad to hear I was able to get it tucked in further, sorry it didn't work out for you, maybe you can follow my soon to come DIY for it
Glad to hear I was able to get it tucked in further, sorry it didn't work out for you, maybe you can follow my soon to come DIY for it
02-04-2011, 04:42 PM
#57
That actually could work. I've seen some of the 03 Maximas using 00-01 oem headlights that used some type of rubber stripping to fill the gap between the headlights and bumper.
02-04-2011, 05:27 PM
#59
You're talking about a Headlight Weatherstrip Pack. It's an OEM part, designed to deflect the airflow from going under the hood in such a way as to cause the hood to shudder at highway speeds. The pack was something like $17 for the pair, if I remember correctly.
Very nice detail between the headlights and the hood.
Last edited by Rochester; 02-04-2011 at 05:32 PM.
02-04-2011, 08:24 PM
#60
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Great suggestion 1800 and Nexus67 thanks. This may be a good alternative to doing any painting or filling/sanding. Of course, the final project will not be AS nice, but I bet you could get it half decent.
The issue I may fore see would be that the gap is not even all around, so trimming the rubber would need to be done, and that never goes over well.
Maybe someone can try this, I'm too far past it now, $20 for plastic filler and make it look proper. See process in piggyback thread... posting now.
The issue I may fore see would be that the gap is not even all around, so trimming the rubber would need to be done, and that never goes over well.
Maybe someone can try this, I'm too far past it now, $20 for plastic filler and make it look proper. See process in piggyback thread... posting now.
02-05-2011, 05:30 PM
#61
That's actually not a bad idea... that particular design of weatherstripping.
You're talking about a Headlight Weatherstrip Pack. It's an OEM part, designed to deflect the airflow from going under the hood in such a way as to cause the hood to shudder at highway speeds. The pack was something like $17 for the pair, if I remember correctly.
Very nice detail between the headlights and the hood.
You're talking about a Headlight Weatherstrip Pack. It's an OEM part, designed to deflect the airflow from going under the hood in such a way as to cause the hood to shudder at highway speeds. The pack was something like $17 for the pair, if I remember correctly.
Very nice detail between the headlights and the hood.
PS: don't tell your car...but I think she's hot. At least,under her hood is...
Great suggestion 1800 and Nexus67 thanks. This may be a good alternative to doing any painting or filling/sanding. Of course, the final project will not be AS nice, but I bet you could get it half decent.
The issue I may fore see would be that the gap is not even all around, so trimming the rubber would need to be done, and that never goes over well.
Maybe someone can try this, I'm too far past it now, $20 for plastic filler and make it look proper. See process in piggyback thread... posting now.
The issue I may fore see would be that the gap is not even all around, so trimming the rubber would need to be done, and that never goes over well.
Maybe someone can try this, I'm too far past it now, $20 for plastic filler and make it look proper. See process in piggyback thread... posting now.
02-05-2011, 06:41 PM
#62
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Either way it's still worth doing, if I hadn't already bonded the grille I would have tried it.
02-05-2011, 06:43 PM
#63
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Also, I need to gauge everyone's interest in a write-up, I'm not going to bother if there is little to no interest. Either way I'll have the knowledge and pictures plus the 2 threads so people can PM me if they want to do it.
Guys let me know if you think you'd actually use a write up on this!!
Guys let me know if you think you'd actually use a write up on this!!
02-05-2011, 06:57 PM
#64
Holy crap!
02-05-2011, 07:10 PM
#66
02-06-2011, 12:28 PM
#69
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K posted on TMEC as well.
I am not scared to include close ups from all angles when this job is done, it's going to be smooth... I have to say I'm pretty pumped to get this thing installed. Dam paint shops being closed on Sunday!!
I am not scared to include close ups from all angles when this job is done, it's going to be smooth... I have to say I'm pretty pumped to get this thing installed. Dam paint shops being closed on Sunday!!
Last edited by TunerMaxima3000; 02-08-2011 at 07:18 AM.
02-06-2011, 04:43 PM
#70
01-03-2012, 04:35 AM
#72
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Where you get your grill from?
Where did you get your grill from, and without the Nissan logo?
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