If you where to install lights behind the grill, where do you bolt...

[Patineto]

Them too...??

So my truck is going to end up with a bunch of lights, but to satisfied my wife needs and desires, the less the "mad max" the better (By the way the Australian version is more bloody and way more fun)

Outside mounted to the stock plstic cover bumber will be a pair of round Borg wagner H-4 (yes high and low beam) I think they are about 6' maybe 7" in diameter

The ones I want to mount behind the grill are four Ridgid cubes, two of each type, I'm thinking one on top of the other at this point, my issue is that is not really anything to mount them to, (Reason why I ask here no in the lighting forum) the closest rigid point is the attachment for the bumper (about 7" below the grill) but is not really a upper structure that is rigid

Yes I'm installing a nice mesh on the grill, I just hope I don't screw the mess up..

Opinions, advice whatever you have, i'm open hears.

Thanks

Ricky

Note: I'm very fun of asymmetry, specially in terms of composition but will be a little to much for her.

 

[Patineto]

Looks like the most to the bumper are the best bet, they are low, much lower, but at least very sturdy..

Hopefully Experiments coming up this weekend

 

[n55luvr]

This may help you a bit.

LC aux LED fog light install

 

[uHu]

The ones I want to mount behind the grill are four Ridgid cubes, two of each type, I'm thinking one on top of the other at this point, my issue is that is not really anything to mount them to, (Reason why I ask here no in the lighting forum) the closest rigid point is the attachment for the bumper (about 7" below the grill) but is not really a upper structure that is rigid

If you put the rigids behind the lower grill, in the bumper, there's a bar under the opening which is perfect for those little cubes, or for short led bars.

 

[Patineto]

If you put the rigids behind the lower grill, in the bumper, there's a bar under the opening which is perfect for those little cubes, or for short led bars.

Many thanks..

Yes that is a super nice set up but I'm kind of going my way (Since I already have the 'Cubes'')

But I totally agree that is really nice installation, man now you got me thinking and that is always a great way to end up doing nothing because I become confused about my own answers..

 

[Patineto]

Well the project has started...

First thing to do..

Hack the grill.

The mess is hand Mede and actually very think, so is not super perfect but in my opinion it looks better than okay, specially from a little farther away..

Yes I'm going to install the bage, when the paint dry.

It was a pain to bend a shape but I'm please with the results.

Next make the backbones to install the lights..



NOTE; I learn a really big lesson with this..

Ask to cut you the mesh with the ''grain'' so the longitudinal holes follow a designated/define line, I got my meh the other way and optically it always looks wonky, plus is very difficult to alight it on the perfect direction..

 

[uHu]

Good work on the grille. I see what you're saying about the direction of the mesh, but those bent ridges look good. Wouldn't it be nice with the "TEq" badge? (A modified badge on a modified grille)
Looking forward to see how it will look with the lights in place. Looks like you do it properly when you do a job.

 

[Patineto]

Good work on the grille. I see what you're saying about the direction of the mesh, but those bent ridges look good. Wouldn't it be nice with the "TEq" badge? (A modified badge on a modified grille)
Looking forward to see how it will look with the lights in place. Looks like you do it properly when you do a job.

Yeah I'm want a "TEQ" badge (I'm on a thong budget at the moment trying to improved s million little things and they all cost money, even if you do the later your self


Do they fit the same holes...???


Sadly I did not take any
Pictures of how I made it but is was nothing more than concave channel on a 2x4 made will a router bit and then hammering down some tubes to shape the mesh

Actually really easy except for the silly holes that give you a headacke...

 

[Dwight S]

Where did you get the mesh sheet?

 

[Patineto]

Where did you get the mesh sheet?

On a place call "metal supermarket" in SLC, but I think is a nation wide company, they are not super cheap but they have great service and tons of scrap and complete planks if you need them.

They have about 12 diiferent ones, this one was my favorite, Is cold roll, in stainless will be impossible to conform with manual tools..

 

[TheForger]

Love the look of that grill, reminds me of the "TOYOTA" mesh grills which I've been wanting for a while now

 

[Patineto]

Love the look of that grill, reminds me of the "TOYOTA" mesh grills which I've been wanting for a while now

Well go for it..

The grill on the pictures is far easier to make..

The second I made the "ribs" on mine it became extremely stiff, then when I turn the borders, oh man like a plank, but the grill on the 1000 is not flat, in fact is very curvy, I lot of pushing had to happen before I was happy with the shape..

The Toyota in the picture only has two main bends (ten degrees backwards) the rest is flat, easy as pie..

 

[87warrior]

You seem very good at fabrication. Nice work on that grill!

I wanted to mount lights on my stock bumper, but decided against that since the only metal around the bumper was down low and I wasn't convinced the plastic could hold two 6" halogen lights steady. So I built a simple bracket that bolts to the inner fender, slips between the grill and bumper with two tabs protruding forward for the lights to bolt to. I could see something similar being built to support lights behind the grill.

 

[H E A V Y M E T A L]

Them too...??

So my truck is going to end up with a bunch of lights, but to satisfied my wife needs and desires, the less the "mad max" the better (By the way the Australian version is more bloody and way more fun)

Outside mounted to the stock plstic cover bumber will be a pair of round Borg wagner H-4 (yes high and low beam) I think they are about 6' maybe 7" in diameter

The ones I want to mount behind the grill are four Ridgid cubes, two of each type, I'm thinking one on top of the other at this point, my issue is that is not really anything to mount them to, (Reason why I ask here no in the lighting forum) the closest rigid point is the attachment for the bumper (about 7" below the grill) but is not really a upper structure that is rigid

Yes I'm installing a nice mesh on the grill, I just hope I don't screw the mess up..

Opinions, advice whatever you have, i'm open hears.

Thanks

Ricky

Note: I'm very fun of asymmetry, specially in terms of composition but will be a little to much for her.

I like that GS

 

[Patineto]

You seem very good at fabrication. Nice work on that grill!

I wanted to mount lights on my stock bumper, but decided against that since the only metal around the bumper was down low and I wasn't convinced the plastic could hold two 6" halogen lights steady. So I built a simple bracket that bolts to the inner fender, slips between the grill and bumper with two tabs protruding forward for the lights to bolt to. I could see something similar being built to support lights behind the grill.
View attachment 1366360

I love comparing notes, thanks for sharing your approach..

I already starting building mine from the 'frame horns'' (where the number attach is too) is going to be made of 80-20 extrusion segments since I already have a bunch and 1/4'' plate, Sally I need to be on a "vertical" cantilever (H frame) I'm just afraid is no real upper support and I can hurt the radiator if I hit something, something even small..

I show you some result soon..

 

[Patineto]

I like that GS

To many silly and fragile computers modules, I like the older ones much better..

 

[SmoothLC]

Nice job @Patineto. That looks really nice.

I also like the look of the one @TheForger posted.

There's an 80 on the forum with the old school white block letters "TOYOTA" that would look good on that grill as well.

 

[Patineto]

List on "tool"

For the ribs.
*Garden variety 2x4" with a 1/2" radius routed into it..
*3/8' diameter brass rod with rouded edges.
*Hammer to push down the brass rod down little by little..

For the curved edges
*22mm aluminum bar bolted to my vise (stoke the back jaw out)
*Skateboard and other industrial wheels to try to form the radius for the corners, very difficult to persuade, but perseverance paid of.
*plyers, channel locks, but the home type, nothing specific for metal work
*pop rivet and drill, I have klicos but I did not have a angle to properly insert them, so I just start ribeting and hope for the best.

Procedure, start bending the grill like if it was 2'' longer and wider and keep "Aproaching" it but always with a round edge (you bend that mesh on a 90, you are never getting in back.

Then cut small wedges with a 4 1/2' grinder to let the mesh bend on the perimeter and force, force, force and hope the plastic frames does not bend.. (exagerationg, actually the mesh will not spring out of the frame, everything was prebend before I install it

 

[Patineto]

Nice job @Patineto. That looks really nice.

I also like the look of the one @TheForger posted.

There's an 80 on the forum with the old school white block letters "TOYOTA" that would look good on that grill as well.

Try it, I promise, is a really easy process, just use normal steel (stainless is not bueno, much to hard and rigid) also avoid a mesh in 'diamonds (expanded) since they cut tini slot on it and then stretch it, it losses shape so easily


And remember need to be cutting with the GRAIN....!!!!

MaTching the tiny diagonal holes is a logistical night mare..

Now imagine the colors, I almost paint my orange, well because I like orange..

 

[mmw68]

If I understand you... you pushed the mesh into the grill from the front? On top of the plastic, with out removing any of the OEM grill?