SSE lower valence grille... finally installed
05-17-2005, 05:29 PM
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 321
SSE grille... finally installed (*PICS*)
Hi everybody. Just finished installing the SSE speed grille on my max, and there's a surprise I didn't tell you....I also ordered a 2001 Max's Lower valence grille to match. I didn't say anything at first just in case it looked bad, but it fits and looks great. It ended up being about 1/2 an inch too narrow and about 1 inch too short, but played with it a little and got it to fit ok. What do you think????
I think it rocks!!!
Dues, I think this would look nice on your Knight Rider.
Any questions let me know....
Sorry for not cleaning Maxximus up...will do later
I think it rocks!!!
Dues, I think this would look nice on your Knight Rider.
Any questions let me know....
Sorry for not cleaning Maxximus up...will do later
05-18-2005, 01:11 AM
#9
Wakkus: Great job!!!! Way to pioneer a new mod for a car thats doesnt have many aftermarket parts. Do you have a part number? Maybe I'll head down to SSE in Costa Mesa and pick one up. What did you have to do to play with it to get it to fit. Do you have more close up pics. How did you attach it? I'd powdercoat mine black to match my grill.
05-18-2005, 04:51 AM
#10
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Sure Dues. Part number is SSE77320, its the 00-01 Max lower valence grille, and costs $67 from Stillen.
In order to make it fit, I had to bend the upper edge up and use one more diamond line in order to make it 4" high (was a little short, but the grille has 3 diamond lines going back). Also bent the lower edge out a little and placed it right on top of the black lower valence cover. The lower edge had too much grille material going to the back and it rubbed with that cover. Now the upper edge looks like it came from Stillen, and the lower edge has more of an angle instead of going straight back.
For the 2 corners, it fell short for 3/4" on both sides, so decided to just bend both sides out to make it cover more space, and that worked out well.
So you know, I used duck tape on my pliers so that they wouldn't scratch the grille when twisting the links.
To attach it, used the clips that SSE sends with the grille on the upper edge, and black tie wraps (the thinner size possible) at the bottom holding the 3 posts on the original lower valence cover. As you can see in the pictures, it's impossible to see the tie wraps, they grab the last diamond going straight back. Of course you have to take the splash guard at the bottom of the bumper off in order to get your hand in there....
I'll get some more pics later. Have fun!
In order to make it fit, I had to bend the upper edge up and use one more diamond line in order to make it 4" high (was a little short, but the grille has 3 diamond lines going back). Also bent the lower edge out a little and placed it right on top of the black lower valence cover. The lower edge had too much grille material going to the back and it rubbed with that cover. Now the upper edge looks like it came from Stillen, and the lower edge has more of an angle instead of going straight back.
For the 2 corners, it fell short for 3/4" on both sides, so decided to just bend both sides out to make it cover more space, and that worked out well.
So you know, I used duck tape on my pliers so that they wouldn't scratch the grille when twisting the links.
To attach it, used the clips that SSE sends with the grille on the upper edge, and black tie wraps (the thinner size possible) at the bottom holding the 3 posts on the original lower valence cover. As you can see in the pictures, it's impossible to see the tie wraps, they grab the last diamond going straight back. Of course you have to take the splash guard at the bottom of the bumper off in order to get your hand in there....
I'll get some more pics later. Have fun!
05-18-2005, 06:19 AM
#11
Nations 1st 6th Gen Turbo
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Displaced New Yorker in Southern, MD
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Originally Posted by Wakkus_Maximus
Hi everybody. Just finished installing the SSE speed grille on my max, and there's a surprise I didn't tell you....I also ordered a 2001 Max's Lower valence grille to match. I didn't say anything at first just in case it looked bad, but it fits and looks great. It ended up being about 1/2 an inch too narrow and about 1 inch too short, but played with it a little and got it to fit ok. What do you think????
05-19-2005, 03:30 PM
#21
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 321
And my car's color matches pretty good the inside color of the headlights, so there's no need for painting the inside. And if I get aftermarket wheels, they're gonna be gray or smoke colored. But that's on the long run, for now I'm getting the Nissan logo and keeping my car that way for a while...
05-19-2005, 07:36 PM
#23
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Join Date: Jan 2005
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You know what Dues, I just think this is too much of a hassle for a little change in apperance. Really I don't think it's worth the risk of opening the headlights. You risk getting water in there, shortening the life of the HID bulb, breaking something in there... Maybe if I find 2 cheap healights on ebay I can play with them later on. Or maybe send them to you and pay you something to get them painted...(I'm not very good at painting or body work, just an Electrical Eng. here....)
05-19-2005, 08:14 PM
#24
First of all, you remove the HID lights when u open them up. If you handle them carefully, nothing will happen. Also, if you use extra sealant for the lights, u minimize water entry. Mine never got water in them even in our rainiest season of the century here in so cal and that was without sealant. Im not a trained paint or body guy. Im just a lawyer. hehe Just paint the dam things!!! Be a trooper.
06-05-2005, 09:03 PM
#30
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 321
You know what I'd love to see? The MAXIMA emblem on the front grille right where the Nissan hamburger is normally installed. On Deus' car, that would be very pretty because he can combine the emblem with the chrome strips going to the back of the car, and the black grille would be a very good background for it... But I know he's not into chrome, so I'm not even telling him. Can anybody photochop this emblem to the grille on my car???
06-09-2005, 11:46 AM
#32
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 6
Will the Sarona grille fit?
I was looking at the Sarona body kit and found it to be a little busy. One component I like was the Sarona grille. My question is will the grille fit without me buying the front part of the kit. I would like to put that grille on a stock Max.
06-11-2005, 12:55 PM
#34
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 321
Ohh man.. I was about to ask PaL379 how did he installed the Nissan burger on the Speed grille. I just received it by mail, but it doesn't go flush into the grille. If you read this message, please let me know...
06-11-2005, 07:58 PM
#36
Originally Posted by jsmithsole
Wakkus, no props on the quickie photoshop!! Just kidding!!!
guess he just needs to buy the right emblem now. hey while you're at it, chop one onto Dues's car for me.
06-11-2005, 08:43 PM
#39
Thanks Pal. I picked it up when I went to the Stillen Open House. I had to do some bending to shape it right. Maybe Ill do a sticky on how to bend it. Its a bit tricky. I put duct tape on some pliers and I used a hammer with protection on as well so i didnt damage the metal. In person it looks waaaay better.
06-11-2005, 09:06 PM
#40
Originally Posted by DeusExMaxima
Hey NIs: Check this out. I just trial fitted my lower SSE grill just now. Here is a pic. Ill powdercoat it this week.
i still would like to see an emblem on there though. even if i could find a decent black/red nismo logo for the bottom right.