Thanks guys for the reassurance on the melting concern. I got all the parts and am ready to install tomorrow. I didn't get any extra glue for reinforcing so hopefully it'll hold up. Good tip on using alcohol to further clean the mounting pad spots.

 

I bought expanded metal with hexagon shaped openings for my mod.

I actually ended up buying 2 huge sheets of it. I was thinking of selling the rest to my JK-Forum friends but I wanted to make sure I liked it first. I had a few concerns once I started working with it:

- How will the painted metal hold up?
- Will the small openings allow enough air through
- How easy is it to install

I read that some people were having a problem with getting paint to stick to the metal sheets. Yeah, I did too at first until I found out that I had to strip off all the machine oil from the surface with a special cleaner and use a self-etching primer prior to painting. Once all that was done, it worked great. I painted mine silver to match the decals and contrast my black grill. Almost 6 months later, I still have no chips or peeling.

The airflow does not appear to be any problem at all. Normal driving showed no difference in performance or engine heat. I even pulled a trailer over a mountain range in 90 degree weather and the temp gauge never moved past the mid point (just like normal).

Installation is the only part of this mod I don’t like. I played with a few different design ideas that might have made installation easier, but nothing really worked out to my satisfaction so I ended up doing it exactly like everyone else; zip ties and Gorilla Glue.

Personally, I like the durability of the metal verses the plastic gutter guard stuff. Plus, I like the hex pattern better than the diamond pattern, but that's just my preference.

If anyone is interested in taking some of this stuff off my hands, please PM me. I probably have enough material to make at least a dozen more sheets. I’ll even make sure the metal is cleaned and apply the primer prior to shipping. All you’ll need to do is paint it whatever color you choose to use.

 

I have the exact same type on my JK. Left it bare aluminium and it still looks great after 3 years. No problems with airflow.

 

Just finished my third (that's correct - third!) mesh grill mod today. I like this one best.

See #4 here:

JK Wrangler Aluminum Mesh Grill Mod

Mabar

 

Since you like doing it so much, how about you come over and do mine? I've got

 

Finished my grill mods today! Did both the bedlined front grill and the plastic mesh grill inserts. Definitely helps make "Buddy" look meaner. Now on to the next mods.

Here he is next to my buddy's recently purchased 2008 Redrock Sahara

 

That is a sweet mod...

 

looks good I like the flat black grill.

 

thanks!!


its been about a week, i drive a lot, the engine seems to get warm, its been warm out, sitting in the sun, and its also been in the pouring rain and its held up so far... the roll of it was cheap, like under $3 and it wasnt hard to take the grill on and off, so if it happens to warp, or get messed up it can quickly be replaced.

i would have preferred to do a one-piece, probably would have been easier, but this was a great start

 

Did my grill this weekend: a piece of expanded steel cut and painted matte black and attached using the zip tie method. This thing is solid!