My First Mod! (Lower Grille Block)
Using the material linked here, I did my first mod today.
Notice the gaping holes along the bottom: http://ecomodder.com/forum/member-ab...before-mod.jpg Here's the fiberglass panel, curved to show the edge thickness (.090"): http://ecomodder.com/forum/member-ab...-090-thick.jpg Tools enlisted: http://ecomodder.com/forum/member-ab...98-weapons.jpg I planned on just having one sheet across the whole thing, but the curvature across multiple axes made getting it lined up difficult. I ended up cutting the original panel in half at the middle: http://ecomodder.com/forum/member-ab...view-after.jpg Here's what I mean about the curves. Front-to-back and top-to-bottom: http://ecomodder.com/forum/member-ab...g-x-z-axes.jpg I've got some black paint to make it look decent; that will have to wait for another day. Like others have done, I used cardboard to make a template. Once I had one side done, I used it as the template for the other side. I used wood screws to fasten it at three locations per side (top and bottom at the middle and bottom on the outside. I drilled holes first to prevent any cracking and to help with alignment. Took about 2.5 hours with my 2 year old son 'helping' me ;) Thanks to everyone here for your inspiration and tips. |
nice job!
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And nice work. On my 06 I blocked the uppers. No testing yet. |
Good start, i would suggest getting some plexiglass or lexan and using it to cover the fog lights, it would help smooth the flow around the front corners
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it would be pretty hard to get it flush with the rest of the panel imho, but i would think that using 4 small machine screws probably wouldn't hurt anything
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I never did a lower grill block on my GP but I did do an upper block by taking thin plexy and cutting it a bit larger than the upper grill then drilled holes and placed the plexy between the grill and bumper.
Fog lights would be hard and the only way I could think to do it is to make a template that will match the hole. Then when you make the plexy cover from the template add three tabs in a Y shape. Cut slots in the bumper that match the tabs and then insert the block starting at the bottom. It will be a little tough to get in but should work. |
Phantom, did you notice a change by doing the upper? I'm seeing higher temps with all of the lower blocked; I'd like to stay away from running the radiator fans if possible. Did you put the upper block on the outside or engine side of the black honeycomb? I would think that outer would help FE more but behind would look closer to stock...
For the fog lights, I think I'll try making a cardboard template and then making the plexiglass cover by tracing the template. Running three wood screws at the edges should hold it in place. |
Post some more pics of how it looks now from the front!
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Here's a shot after I painted the panels black. I only put the right one back on because I think my engine temp was getting hot enough to trigger the radiator fans. Does anyone know what temp will trigger the fans? I know I'm up above the thermostat trigger temp...
Now I just need to paint the three screws! :) http://ecomodder.com/forum/member-ab...10220-0948.jpg |
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