Front grills

[wingrat]

I have a 3.0 V6 NA Auto. Have been looking for a front grill to fill the hole.

Have found some on web but in USA.

Anyone in the UK do a good quality grill

[timwildman]

Quote[/b] (wingrat @ Dec. 31 2003,15:40)]I have a 3.0 V6 NA Auto. Have been looking for a front grill to fill the hole.

Have found some on web but in USA.

Anyone in the UK do a good quality grill
If you've got a V6 i'll be very surprised. There all stright 6.

Jive has done his NA with the front grill, I'm sure he'll be along in a min.

[Martin F]

I don't think any companies in the UK sell the front grill kits, and by all accounts the Grill-Craft ones from the US are not up to much.

Best to buy some stainless or aluminium mesh (has to be stainless or aluminium otherwise will rust) remove your front bumper and fit one yourself. About ?30 worth of bits from B&Q and a couple of hours with some spanners, silicon sealer (for fixing mesh) and some tin snips.

Next time i do mine i'll take some pics.

[wingrat]

Thanks Guys, I really meant STRAIGHT 6.

The grill I was looking at was from 'grille-tech.
Will have a go at making own..

[Martin F]

Be good to see some before and after pics if you get chance.

[wingrat]

Thanks Martin F... Will add some take some pics (before/after). Possibly looking to fill in pods where indicators sit as well...

Look out for update....
Cheers

[Jive]

Yep, I've done this and also made a complete balls up of mine, bought what I thought was stainless steel mesh from B&Q and fixed it in, turned out it wasn't and it's gone rusty http://www.mkivsupra.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

I've got the standard j-spec front bumper and this has a big bit of polystyrene behind where the number plate goes and acts as a good wedge. I did take a load of pics when doing it but haven't got them up on my site yet.....doh.

I'll get them sorted soon and let you know when it's done.

[Martin F]

Quote[/b] (Jive @ Jan. 06 2004,09:56)]Yep, I've done this and also made a complete balls up of mine, bought what I thought was stainless steel mesh from B&Q and fixed it in, turned out it wasn't and it's gone rusty ?http://www.mkivsupra.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
Sounds like the same mesh i bought. Next time you do it prime, paint and lacquer the mesh and it will be fine.

If only i'd have done that first time around !!

[Jive]

Couldn't agree more Martin, I now have to wait for a clear weekend when it's not raining before I can even attempt to take the bumper off, by that time it'll probably need replacing http://www.mkivsupra.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

Still, at least I know what I'm doing next time http://www.mkivsupra.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[wingrat]

Thanks guys.
The mesh I am going to get is from 'Extreme', they do them in various sizes and colours.

Could do with a guide on how to remove the bumper though. There are 2 runners on the top under edge of the grill area, what are these for...
Will take a couple pics over weekend and post.....

[Jive]

Right from memory and also from the pics I've got here at work that need to be put onto a web page but just haven't had the time lately.

1. Remove the battery and it's tray

2. Remove the air filter box or any other filter you've got

3. Remove both the headlights

4. Jack the front of the car up on axle stands

5. Remove both front wheels

6. Remove the plastic wheel arch linings from both sides

7. Remove the undertray

8. Remove the thin soft plastic [black] rubber strip that you can see when the bonnet is closed, it's under the bonnet and the top of the front bumper.

9. Remove the ali strip underneath this

10. From then on, you should be able to see various bolts that hold the bumper in place

If you want to see the pics I've got of when I removed mine, PM me with your email address and I'll send them tonight.

Hope some of that helped, it's not the most comprehesive instructions but should help some http://www.mkivsupra.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Martin F]

I think Jives covered most of it http://www.mkivsupra.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/buttrock.gif

There are two 10mm nuts either side that abolt the front bumper onto the wing, you should be able to see them once you've removed the headlights.

This may help a bit http://www.mkiv.com/manual/manualtt/front_bumper/index.html

[Jive]

Cheers Martin

I think, again, if memory serves me correctly, you'll only need one ratchet and one 10mm bolt as every nut around the bumper, under the bumper, inside the bumper basically everywhere is 10mm

Makes everything so much easier than "damn wrong sized bolt, doh wrong size, doh wrong size" http://www.mkivsupra.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Christian]

I cut my own mesh from some Halfrauds/Ripspeed stuff but it was a real PITA. I had to cut about 200 bits of wire than didn't want to be cut, then make my own fixing brackets from biscuit tin. Cut a MASSIVE gash in my thumb doing that. http://www.mkivsupra.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

Also fixing the side bits was a little tricky. I really wished I'd paid someone else to do the whole job.

Looks good when clean though http://www.mkivsupra.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[Nathan]

Quote[/b] (Martin F @ Jan. 06 2004,12:52)]Sounds like the same mesh i bought. Next time you do it prime, paint and lacquer the mesh and it will be fine.

If only i'd have done that first time around !!
...or you could just buy the aluminium version...B&Q do most of their mesh in either steel or aluminium. We use the ally type and don't need to paint/laquer anything...

It's actually quite difficult to tell the difference between the two when new- you have to look at the little bar/code label.

In fact ,thats probably also why you sliced your thumb up and took forever to cut it- the ally stuffs cuts really easily, even a nice big pair of sharp scissors is enough.

[dangerous brain]

I did mine with the stuff from B&Q but I chose the gold coloured grill which has a coating on it (i have gold badges on the car so why not?).

I didn't take the battery out or the wheels off, or any other trim than the bumper - just the lights out. I secured it with a piece of extruded ali angle (which I am yet to colour co-ord) and a piece of flat ali strip again from B&Q. Mine is totally removable.
It looks like this now.

Installed look (http://www.showoffyourcar.com/cars/2702.JPG)

As I said it needs the ali strips colour co-ordinating with the rest of the grill. The whole job took me from lunchtime to tea time one day including cure time for the small hole inserts glue.

It really isn't that difficult. Key to it all is prep work. Make sure you have a good dry warm area with plenty of space to maneouver in to do the job. Nice weather or a garage is handy for takin the bumper off an re-fitting it. make yourself a cardboard template (you can do this previous to the job with the bumper in situ to save you time on the day). Ensure that you have good quality tin snips (not a crappy set of leccy wire snips). Prep your tools and all the required parts (nothing worse than having to nip back down to B&Q for more bits you forgot, especially if you only have the soop and the bumper is removed) ie files, self tapper screws, cordless screwdriver or drill is handy, araldite or other adhesive (I used holt melt glue it cures faster so you don't have to hold the grill in place for as long), hacksaw and preferably a bench with a vice to hold the ali strip in to cut it. Am I missing anything here? Then allocate the time and away you go. If you are an uber-clutz wear some protective garden type gloves to prevent leaking finger injuries whilst cutting grill.

Above and beyond all else here's a rule Think twice before you cut as you can only cut once!!!!!

Hope this is of some help

[SKI]

I bought some Aluminium grill its about ?25 including delivery for more than you'll need even to do behind the indicators...
http://www.speeding.co.uk/acatalog/Grille_Mesh.html
(they have a few different designs I chose the one that matched the bonnet grill)

Made a template from cardboard first, be careful cutting or you?ll lacerate your hands.

My UK MKIV has a plastic lip that is runs inside where the grill is attached. ?I loosed the fastens on this rim and bent an elbow around the grill, the grill then slotted into the rim. I also filled the rim with clear silicon, this secured it completely. I realise I May be screwed if I ever need to take it off, but it saved me the hassle of removing the bumper! ?Did this without any consultation so if it sounds like the worst thing you?ve ever heard, ignore it.

You can see it in the picture attachment.

[Chris Rocks]

I`ve just got my front grill fitted..

actually used some galvanised mesh that I believe is used when plastering walls ( I`m not joking! )

cost about ?5 for enough to do a few cars.

looks cool, if I get a chance over the weekend I`ll snap a pic.

-c-

[dangerous brain]

I know the stuff you mean it comes in 4 inch wide rolls I think

[Chris Rocks]

ok finally managed to remember and take a pic of my front grill.

ok the pics taken at night but you get the general idea.

http://www.chrisrocks.plus.com/supras/grill.jpg

for about ?1.50 for the mesh I`m not complaining http://www.mkivsupra.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

-c-

[chiefgroover]

Hi SKI
I like your front indicators with the clear lens. Can you tell me where to get them?. Hope to have side skirts like yours soon. I also have the lower part of the front bumper painted, and EVERY Supra should have that done.:D

[SKI]

Chief, I bought them from P.W
http://www.whifbitz.co.uk/supra-hid.html

You have to get the oranage bulbs from motor world or Halfords.

I spoke to a friend of mine who runs a body shop about having the rear light cluster sprayed chrome (like the Lexus), wonder if anyone's had this mod done already!?

Later

Shane

[SKI]

On the subject of silver Grills,

Anyone know the part code for a silver Toyota badge, like the ones you see on the new Avensis for example.

The badge on the front of my car is like dark grey or something, doesn't really match the bodywork. I was thinking of replacing both front and back with chrome/silver type! I realise the body plugs may be in different places, presumably these could be filed of so that the badge sits flat with the adhesive layer holding it.

[Chris Rocks]

I have a silver one on the back of the car...

bought it from the US off Ebay.

think it was about ?4 or something..

-c-

[Suprash]

Guys, some of you removed some serious bits and even the bumper itself. I done our NA and all I done was remove teh front under tray, the long thin one that goes from left to right. About 25 10mm bolts and you have access to up in the rear of the bumper. Cut mesh and place inside over hole, bend edges around hole, and get some real small cable ties, I got some from Halfords about the length of my finger, then get a small drill bit, and drill a small hole in each of the 4 corners at the edge of teh hole, then replace grill and cable tie, leaving the untidy part of teh cable tie at the back, trust it barely notices, plus this way when it comes to changing time you just cut the cable ties and replace, Im even going to make up several designs, with logos spayed over the mesh and change them for different meets. I will post some pictures of Clairs. I also used Halfords Ripspeed mesh, that doesnt rust, ?20 a sheet.

http://www.mkivsupra.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/buttrock.gif

[Chris Rocks]

yep it`s possible without removing the front bumper, just need to take extra care. I was all set to do as Ashley did above, but the front bumper was off when the car was being resprayed so I did it then.

beats me why toyota never fitted a grill as standard...

-c-

[dangerous brain]

Wow that colour is the mutts nuts Chris!!!

What colour is it???

My lovely hand made front grill got trashed today by a seriously large bit of roadkill. I un-wittingly drove home with the bloody bird hanging out the front of my car stuck headfirst through the end of the grill I fitted and a wing in the side indicator pod. Not a happy little bunny but I guess at least the blighter didn't get into my radiator or damage my power steering coolant pipes.

PS for you bird lovers I didn't kill the thing it was chucked up off the rear wheels of the car in front!!!