it better not look like that grille. ....sigh

 

i have a feeling that it will be a mesh type

 

Folks...sent an email to StradaUSA on the status of the grille they are going to send me....apparently than ran into a few snags with this suprise grille...so I don't have it yet and no pics obviously, but wanted to update the Maxima users...don't have a date when the grille will get here...I'll keep you all posted...

Jimbo

 

If the grille looks anything like that It would be a shame. They would not be breaking any new ground whatsoever and shouldnt expect to sell many. I think the Trenz looks better than ther E&G and the alti one above because of the two prominent vertical lines on that, I just dont like it.

 

Your right, although I have a E&G Grille and I like it. I hope it's a grille that does stand out from the rest...hopefullly we'll see soon...I'll keep you all posted!!

Jimbo

 

does anyone know where i can find a stainless steel mesh grill for a 2004 max. i am looking for something that looks like the mesh grill that cadillacs are putting on the v-series. don't like the billet style.

 

BMCD, mesh like the grille on my car? stillen.com sells them

 

BmcD...That's my next project...you can get it from ebay...but it's going to be very tough to install. The mesh is interwoven stainless steel and is NOT very flexible...you'll need some heavy duty tools and epoxy for this project.

Sparq



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=36475

 

BMcD: Here is my mesh grill powdercoated black before as aluminum and after as black:

 

Hey thanks Sparq. I have been looking just for that type of grill for a while. I think I am going to start this mod soon.

 

Sparq: The grill looks like the one that egclassic.com has on the website for caddy's and the altima but nothing yet for a maxima. It has got a nice trim around it.

Thanks, BMcD

 

UPDATE>>>>UPDATE>>>>UPDATE>>>>

StradaUSA has mailed the grille to me and asked that once I get it to install it and get pictures posted and pictures sent to them. Again, don't know what it looks like but it's there prototype. There actual version will have thicker steel on the front and will be powder coated on the top. Either case, the prototype will be very close to the production one sold.

Again, as soon as I receive, hopefully in the next couple of days, I'll post the picture of it on my car and will be available via the forum for any questions regarding quality and installation.

More to come folks!

Jimbo

 

Can't wait to see it......it'll probably be another couple months before they start selling it since it's a prototype

 

UPDATE FOLKS!

The grille from StradaUSA just arrived in the mail 10 minutes ago. I'm going to install it now and I'll have a write up on it. Since I have a E&G Classics grille currently on the car, I compare the two. As I said before, they sent me a prototype. The top of the grille that mounts on both right and left of the hood latch will be powercoated from what they told me and the front grille itself will be a more think stainless steel.

I will take some pics with the grille not installed with the parts and with the grille installed and comparsion photo's to what I currently have. Hopefully I'll have this by this late evening, Colorado time...thanks all!

Jimbo

 

Everyone!

Here what you have been waiting for. I'm have a brief write up below talking about the StradaUSA grille (prototype) compared to the E&G Classics grille. I'm comparing the two since they closely resemble each other. Now remember, they asked me mainly to see how it fits, which was excellent and how it looks, which I think it looks great (for someone that likes the E&G Classics grille look with emblem). Obviously this will disappoint those folks looking for a badgeless grille, but I did make the recommendation to StradaUSA since there are a lot of folks here with badgeless grilles or who would like to go that route.

First, you'll see in the picture below a comparison photo of the StradaUSA grille and the E&G Classics grille. Both look closely the same with the exception that the StradaUSA grill has only 3 vertical thick lines as opposed the to E&G Classics grille that has 2 vertical thick lines and 3 vertical thin lines. I favor the StradaUSA grille with less vertical lines...to me it looks better (E&G Classic grille on top and StradaUSA grille on the bottom).



Now when I compared the two as far as the hardware, they pretty much the same. They both have mounted tabs at the bottom of the grille, and they both have the mounted top at the top of the grille. Prior to installing the StradaUSA grille I did find some issues. Again, not sure if this is because it's a prototype and was meant to be.

First issue was the bolts on one of the mounting tabs were too long. I had to take a hack saw and cut them down in order to avoid them embedding into the bumper when I installed it. The below picture show the bolts too long and I was in the middle of cutting off the second one.



Second, the other mounting tab had different bolts welded to the grille. They appeared to be copper. When bending the mounting tab to the proper angle to put in the tab holder on the bumper, the bolt broke off from the grille. Again, not sure if this was the final style on this portion.



On both mounting tabs in the photo's above, you'll see the black bumper. I had to take those off my E&G Classics grille and put on the StradaUSA grille. Again, not sure if this was an oversight or meant to be.

Once the grille was installed, it looked great. The fit on the top mounting bracket fit perfectly and the holes were lined up. The only thing about the top mounting bracket was that it was not painted. Now StradaUSA did say that the top mounting bracket would be powder coated and the grille itself would be thicker. It is thinner than the E&G Classics grille.

Now for some pictures of it on the car.....

Picture 1
Picture 2


Sorry for the above links...it would not let me post all the pictures....

Also when I received the grille it had a protective sheet on it. It came off easy and smooth and did not leave any gummy residue, a definite plus on this grille. As those with E&G Classics grilles know, when you removed the protective coating it left a gummy residue that you spent another 20 minutes or so getting off with some type of cleaning fluid. Not on this grille.

Again, the grille closely resembles the E&G Classics grille. Not sure how much it will cost in final version, but if it's cheaper than E&G Classics grille...it should be a good buy!

I only recommend the following on this grille:

1. Thicker grille (which they are doing)
2. Painted top bracket in black (which they are doing, not sure what color)
3. Very secure welded bolts on the grille on the top and bottom...and not copper
4. Include rubber mounts for the bottom mounts (not sure if this was an oversight)
5. Possibly a badgeless grille (not sure what that would look like)

Other than that...good looking grille for the folks that like this grille with the emblem. That's my 5 cents....

Jimbo

 

well, it looks stronger than the e&g but I'm disapointed. There's nothing original about it imo......good work on their part for making something for the 6th gen but me no like

 

thanks for the write up it looks hot, Jim could you please take pics of it without reflections..

The bolts you are correct the copper did not adhere two different metals we did not get the correct welding temp, we changed that on the bottom left part.. all future versions will have correct welding as this was just a prototype we were eager to get it to you for pics...

A non-emblem version is in the works.

 

Will do...I'll have to do it in a parking lot where there are no buildings, trees and such near by. I'll get that done on Monday on post. The pics are going to be about 2 MB's a piece...let me know if I should email them separately to you....

Jim

 

Jimbo, thanks for your efforts.

I have to say im dissapointed just for the fact that its really just like the Trenz and E&G.

Guess I was hoping for something different. It looks nice, but not anything original.

 

The grill looks OK. Maj I sent you a PM about the bumper strips. Later Warren

 

hummmm...i'm surpirsed at how much the desgin is similar to the E&G grille ?

 

What a bunch of hot air! Acting like this was some 'prototype' grille yet to be unveiled! That is a carbon copy of the E&G and nobody will ever notice the difference in the real world. Lazy...Lazy...Come up with something original guys. Im not saying it looks bad, because it dosent, but it looks exactly like the E&G, and it looks very similar to my Trenz, except for the fact its made from thinner steel and bolted together rather than welded. Id still buy the Trenz. Why copy something thats already out there? Everyone loves the mesh grilles so that was what I was expecting. We already have multiple options for a chrome grille. Im suprised at the obvious lack of originality, Its going to have to compete as a price leader if its gonna sell, I was hoping for product differentiation here, wake up!

 

IMO, the E&G grille looks better. The lines on the E&G grille line up with the lines on the hood giving it a more connected look. The middle section on the E&G also closer resembles the shape of the original OEM grille section. This new one seems to be spaced too far apart. I have the E&G on mine and I am very happy with it. Get compliments all the time.

 

Thanks Warren for the info on the strips. As far as the grille, I thought it would be something different too, but I'm happy with it based on the fact that I like the E&G grille design. Maybe there badgeless grille will look different...

Jimbo

 

Maxzma...You do have a point on the lines on the E&G grille. I just re-looked at that and your right...the lines from the hood come down and connect with the thick lines on the E&G grille. Good point.

Jimbo

 

totally agree !

 

this is the exact same grille they made for the Alti in your earlier pic. very disappointed. If you're going to make a grille almost identical (like E&G) at least make it better somehow, not look worse.

IMO, one like the E&G but w/ the only vertical bars visible lining up with the hood lines would look best. w/ logo and w/o would look good. or even one with only horizontal bars and a logo. I dislike the Trenz only b/c of the center bar through the logo.

I just don't get the point of coming this late into the game w/ nothing new or noticeably different. Unless you're making it stonger/perfect fitment and cheaper.

 

Lack of originality is a disppointment. Maybe without the emblem would look better, its my preference thats why i chose not to go with the E&G grille. Definatly hoping it was something new not a copy.

 

Yes we are entering late, as far as design there is only so much you can do with a chrome grill, we are open to suggestions.. it is very easy to change..

In all honesty the outer grill shell and top bracket is a direct copy of E&G as they have perfect fitment, the face is exactly like TRENZ which I feel looks much better. my opinion.

Benefits with Our Grill,

Great Fitment*
Easier Install*
Better Price*

As far as the bolts, this will not be an issue on production.

Correct me if im wrong, but the Maxima grills are retailing for $225~

Our Altima Grill retails for $140~, essentially the same product, Jim can attest the finish on the outside is a flawless stainless steel chrome..

 

well, considering your specs, I'm sure they'll sell.
since your asking... personally, I think having ONLY 2 vertical bars that line up with the 2 on the hood would make it perfect. to me the thin ones ruin it.

or a logo grille with no verticall lines. I have yet to find a logo grille w/ only horizontal bars.
I assume the verticals are needed for support, but there are billet (horizontal only)grilles w/o a logo.

 

Theres this 05 or 04 maxima on my block with a grill that has a bunch of ovals in them.. If I see him tommorow Ill take a pic and post it... maybe hes here on the .org. You have a black maxima with nismo sticker on it and you live in yonkers in the back roads of mile square road. Chrome Rims, Xenons, and AM grille.

 

u mean the Trenz Elliptical:

there's also an Onyx w/ one from NJ that I see occasionally near me.

 

you know you're right /\ I havent seen a chrome grill with no vertical bars, yes they are for support but I think we could weld a powder coated black bar to the back to create that look...

The billets are aluminum and are very strong and typically have welding points in 3~ spots behind the bars, but it is different then our chrome grills which are computer enginnered and crafted to precision.

 

interesting. black powder crossed my mind, but wasn't sure how it would work. If you could pull it off w/ logo cutout, I'd buy your first one.

even a chrome one like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT
(same no frame, but w/ logo cutout and hide the support bars)

so how does your chrome hold up?

 

/\ when you say logo cut out do u mean a non-emblem.

 

Strada, I was looking for a black grille for my black maxima...and currently nobody makes one. If you really want to sell something different than atleast go for a different color, preferably black. You can get chrome anywhere, and you can't reinvent it, I could care less about ease of install and all that, because my Trenz went on very easilly and stays put. If you made a black one, or even made it in all the colors of the maxima, you'd have one very hot product people would jump at the chance to buy im sure.

 

logo cut out meaning an area for the Nissan emblem, like what you already made.

04BlackMaxx, I'm sure they could powdercoat one for you. I'm afraid body color paint may not hold up well and would be too costly having so many variables.

 

I see nothing new about the Strada grill. Looks just like the Trendz. I thought we were getting something new for a change.

 

What a waste...

 

Strada, getting all these wonderful people all excited and letting them down, you should be ashamed of yourself! Go to your room!