This year was the NISSAN Christmas as Santa put it (aka wife).....Exhaust, wind deflector, License plateholder and finally the new two piece Grille from Polished Quarter "Z" Grille by E&G. I have not decided if I want to go with the bottom portion two complete the two piece set only because I thought both pieces fit in the factory mounting locations. The top piece set directly in the stock holders but the bottom portion requires you to drill in the bottom portion of the bumper to complete the look.

Well here she is so far!

The first portion of the install:




And here she is all done still debating on the lower piece:

 

This is going to be VERY interesting! Are those blue markings a 'pull-off' protective coating? If not, then you will be painting it. I would block off all painted surfaces if using a paint sprayer. If using a brush, what you have will do fine. I think I'm going to like this grille.

I am probably reckless, but I would not be afraid to drill holes in the bumper, as long as they aren't on the face of the bumper. . . But that is probably where they would have to be.

I see your reflection around the hamburger in the second photo. Took me a minute to figure out what that dark area was.

I look forward to seeing more photos as you proceed with the install/painting.


P.S. - Let me know first if your wife becomes available.

 

take a look at the second pic ......The fist picture shows the grille with the protective plastci\tape the second shows the grille fulle installed.....

choice, looks very nice

 

Reminds me of the grille I have on my '03. Flashy and nice.

 

its gonna be hard for me to choose a grille for my car!! cuzz im not a big fan of the grilles and none of them catch my eyes to have me put them on my car!! but if its flat balck iono might get it lol!!

 

looks agressive

 

JHOVAMAX - So I don't see so well. Yes, I had to blush when I looked again and realized the second photo had the protective material and surrounding tape removed. I admit I spent most of my time loooking at the first photo because it was taken closer to the Maxima, and my eyes are . . well, you have probably guessed that already.

As to the chrome, I agree with you that, on this smooth lightly-chromed Maxima, a chrome grill works. There were times in the past when cars were loaded with chrome, and I would sand and 'black out' most chrome surfaces, but I feel Nissan handled the level of chrome on the '09 Maxima very tastefully.


Choice - As to the grille, I have no real problem with the OEM one, but it is usually a source of considerable satisfaction to have a Maxima that does not look exactly like other Maximas, and one of the best ways to accomplish this is an aftermarket grille. This grill is easily recognized as being different than the OEM, yet retains the same desirable horizontal lines as the OEM. I think you will enjoy this new 'toy', and hope you will give us a few more photos of it under different lighting/angles. By your lack of response to my query about your wife, I gather she is not available ?

 

my opinion: you should have stayed with the stock grille bro, too much chrome is never a good thing in my mind, I don't like it and it reminds me of the people who buy all the chrome: pillars, window guards, door trims, and fenders from walmart and just paste them on the car, trash looking, but it's your car

 

 

looks like u have a sick 7th gen max bro never seen one like it....

 

Oh no it's not mine bro, LOL i wish, but it's the Stillen 7th Gen, but yea man it's nice as hell

 

I would've liked to keep the car all black. A black grille would've made it look more clean I think.

 

BACK TO THE TOPIC AT HAND:

I have the E&G classics chrome grille (honeycomb style) (upper & lower) on my 08. I'd say put the bottom valance on. This is your ride, only you can make the final decision as you will be the only one driving it (along with Santa...lol...on occasions). If I remember reading right, you'll have to drill a little bit. Not a big concern there. Soon they might be coming out with the same style grille that you have installed as foglight inserts. 2 or 3 horizontal lines that connect to a circle that will house the foglight. Might actually look pretty sharp if you could get someone to photoshop it. Again, this is your ride & your project, but I say go for it. I like the way it looks. Good choice with E&G also! Good luck & keep the pictures coming!

 

Like it alot. So far, I think you have the MAXIMUS MAXIMA. lol.
Not sure if I'd do the bottom. Post the wind deflector when you install it.

 

I love the look and I thanked SANTA personally all morning!!! Anyway it's funny you make the comment about "santa on occasions......she actually is WAY to scared to drive the MAX only because she know's how I am about my vehicles and she is afraid to put the first scratch or dent in her!!! I have told her to drive a few times and she refuses!!! I recently owned a Dodge Ram 1500 for 5 years and she drove it twice for the same reasons. She is content on driving her Honda and staying away from the MAX...........but she sure likes buying toys for the ride and I'm not complaining.......

I like the E&G quality and was surprised when I opened the box and realized that it is all metal no fake plastic parts!!! I think it flows very well with my rims it keeps the whole theme in my opinion I will post more pics soon!!!

 

wow @ all the c0mmentz.. personally i think the grill lookz hot.. i dont see why ppl are sayin your throwing chrome all over.. its 1 piece damn.. anyway mod YOUR car YOUR own way..shyt.. btw i just installed my E&G Classicz wire mesh grille on my 08 max.. =]p

 

Hello, that E&G grille looks great on your 09 Maxima.
Painting it a darker color would look appealing as well.
I have a 05 Max with a E&G Mesh style. It has been
slightly modified by removing the middle chrome bracket.
Took only 4 minutes to remove the top & bottom pieces
take connected it to the entire chrome frame. The tool
of choice... a dremel with a metal cutting blade or a metal
grinder with a cut-of wheel. Very easy! Now, since I recently
just installed the E&G Grille on my max I'm debating on painting
it all black, black & blue, black-out the mesh, etc..... Anyways,
your max looks very good.

 

choice89,
ah found your post, grill looks great, i would install the lower, it would really complete the front end.

 

paint it black please

 

Thanks whit,
I have thought about it for a while now....but the problem remains that I need to keep both license plates on because of the state law and I can't mount it unless I find a different plate mount because it causes issues with it in place. I am still looking at different options I will post when I find a solution.

 

ya that front plate would also restrict the view of the grill, im lucky i dont need a front plate, i kept my old plates from years ago when our state required 1 plate, but now if u get new plates in MA , you have to have front and rear.

 

I feel Nissan did a nice job on the stock grille as it is. Aftermarket in it's place just looks cheap and tacky IMHO.

With your color... Stock FTW!

 

the stock grille is almost perfect.. just need it with out the emblem ...

 

reminds me of a ford truck grille.

 

not digging it at all. should have left it stock and painted it.

 

, but i love the rest of your car.

 

i gotta disagree, i think the stock grill is cheasy, its plastic and cheap looking,especially the honeycomb black in it..painting it would be even worse as the nose on the max is so prone to rocks hitting it, the paint would chip.

there are many nice aftermarket grills out for the max now

 

anyway that grill can be made in gunmetal color??? that would look hottness!!!!

 

Sweet look...

 

my baby has a set of new grilles too... t-rex upper and lower billet grilles. it really changes the look of the car.

 

I like the original better, those custom grille's make the car look cheaper and just plain weird. I've seen a few G35's with custom grille's and it looks horrible, and its always those 20 something year olds thinking they're so cool.

 

Your Grille & Max look awesome! Read about your wheels in another thread turned out really nice!

 

I love those T-Rex billet grilles. I'm debating whether to go with black mesh or with the t-rex. I wonder how they would look powdercoated black?
As for the chrome grilles, I'm not a huge fan. I think chrome belongs on rims and exhausts and thats it.

 

I think you grille and car looks great!!! How did you mount the grille and your license plate? I want to put my lower grille piece on but can't figure out how to put the plate and braket back on after the install???

 

The top grille is mounted with the supplied plastic clips. The bumper insert comes with "J" hooks and screws and is mounted over the stock insert. I had to buy another license plate bracket from Checkers after the install. The stock bracket won't fit because of the lip in the back. The new one I bought is flat.

 

that looks amazing. congrats

 

I just ordered the upper T-Rex Billet grille as an early b-day present to myself.... Probably get the lower half next month. Anyone know how long standard (FREE) shipping from STILLEN usually takes? I'm all the way in CT so i'm wondering if it will make it here by my bday next wed.

 

Looks like I may have to go to my local auto parts store and see if I can pick up a new FLAT License plate bracket. I will be installing the lower portion of the grille this week!

 

Im thinking of getting this grille is the install difficult?

 

that looks delicious