08 DIY grill: 4 hours and 40 bucks

I took the plunge, I decided to make my own grill for my 08 LGT:

 

Tools needed:

1) Dremel with cut off wheel

2) Stubby screw driver

3) Wire cutters

 

Before pic:

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r358/collegemt/101_2442.jpg

 

Supplies Used:

1) JB quick weld:

2) Fine Bendable Wire, not sure of guage, the stuff i used is for my dirtbike grips, it holds them on.

3) Wire mesh purchased at pep boys for $40.00

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r358/collegemt/mesh.jpg

 

Dremel: Walmart $35.00, I said 40 bucks in my thread title, assuming you may allready have the dremel.

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r358/collegemt/dremel.jpg

 

To Start:

1) Remove grill from vehicle

2) Reomve all chrome from grill (screws and some clips)

 

This picture here has the plastic supports and the wings removed, the center is still in tact, which was later required to be removed to be fluch mount.

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r358/collegemt/start.jpg

 

3) Use Dremel and cut the middle out of the grill (use goggle and a mask)

 

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r358/collegemt/grillopen.jpg

 

4) Start to shape the mesh to form on the back side of the chrome outer ring:

(there are a couple tabs on the top and bottom that you can attch the mesh to the ring, also alot of the screw hole lined up to a opening in the mesh) Lots of trimming to get it to fit right.

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r358/collegemt/backgrilltrimmed.jpg

 

5) Paint grill if desireed, i feel it is best to paint it after it is fitted to avoid scratching the paint. I used Rust Oleum gloss black paint, 4 coats.

 

 

 

6) Attch outer ring w/ mesh back to grill, it won't fit as snug as it did originally but it isn't noticable on the vehicle becuase it is covered by the bumper.

 

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r358/collegemt/grillpaintedattachtedcloseup.jpg

 

 

 

6) Attch Emblem: The emblem is a 2 piece emblem so it is kinda tricky to install and i am sure there are multiple ways to do it. I used some small guage wire which i looped around the tabs on the outer emblem ring and then used JB weld to attch the center piece to the outer ring. After that i just twisted the wire around the mesh in the desired location:

 

Emblem:

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r358/collegemt/101_3097.jpg

Emblem w/ JB weld and wire:

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r358/collegemt/JBgrill.jpg

 

6) Reinstall on vehicle

 

Pics w/o paint and emblem, I originally didn't paint the mesh, but after numerous request and some thought, i decided i would paint it, and i am happy i did. But it looked good without paint as well, so whatever floats your boat.

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r358/collegemt/grillengine.jpg

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r358/collegemt/101_3089.jpg

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r358/collegemt/101_3088.jpg

 

Pics w/ paint and Emblem:

In the sun:

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r358/collegemt/centerblackcloseup.jpg

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r358/collegemt/centeredemblemback.jpg

 

In the shade:

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r358/collegemt/blacksideshot.jpg

 

 

Looks very similar to the JDM grill, except this one will fit:

JDM Grill pics:

http://www.dpccars.com/photos/01-24-07-01-Subaru-Legacy-STI.jpg

http://static.blogo.it/autoblog/subaru_legacy_sti_05.jpg

 

Now all we need is a front lip for the 08's and we are set, who needs the JDM conversion? We can make our own.

 

Let me know what you think. Not a bad way to get rid of those ugly wings on the 08's.

 

Help availible for locals

Cool man! Nice job!

 

Look forward to seeing it with the emblem on it!

take the mesh out and paint it black.

I think it would look nice painted black also... just my .02

 

 

Edit: Especially on the OBP car. That'd look real hawt!

You should definitely paint the mesh black. Too bling for the Legacy...

take the mesh out and paint it black.

 

I dont think i want it black it might look to hollow on my black car. Thanks for the tip though.

Looks good. But, you might want to put mesh on the lower section too. Protect your AC condensor. Just my .02

it doesn't match the car at all right now the way it is so by painting it black it atleast isn't so Rapper/Cholo Chromish.

Looks good. But, you might want to put mesh on the lower section too. Protect your AC condensor. Just my .02

 

i was thinking about doing that, but i will have to buy another piece of mesh and probably remove the bumper, maybe later.

Another +1 on blacking out the grill. You might need something a little tougher than regular spray paint to avoid rock chips.

it doesn't match the car at all right now the way it is so by painting it black it atleast isn't so Rapper/Cholo Chromish.

 

I think it matches fine, especially with my wheels, my wife doesn't want it to be black either, but maybe others can take your advice when they do this mod.

nah spray paint is fine... it will slightly over like 6 months time or so get a little worn down but you can easily remove and touch it up again.

 

 

also go to home depot and buy some grill guards for a house roof drainage. They work great for the lower sections and cost only $5.

 

also go to home depot and buy some grill guards for a house roof drainage. They work great for the lower sections and cost only $5.

 

I have the ones at home depot they are a different pattern of mesh so it wouldn't match.

normally i'd say paint it black but i actually like it as is on your car. i say keep it. but maybe add the emblem

normally i'd say paint it black but i actually like it as is on your car. i say keep it. but maybe add the emblem

 

I think i will add the emblem but i need to find a screw on type of emblem, do you know if the back emblem is screw on, i might order one from subaru.

I have the ones at home depot they are a different pattern of mesh so it wouldn't match.

 

 

paint the lower ones black then. its only for protection anyways.

paint the lower ones black then. its only for protection anyways.

 

I might try that, do you have to remove the bumper to do it?

agree on painting the grill black

I might try that, do you have to remove the bumper to do it?

 

its easiest to do it with it off.

 

I had mine off allready working on my headlights so I just put it on before I put the bumper back on.

here's mine:

http://i28.tinypic.com/jgi5ie.jpg

http://i30.tinypic.com/25saadk.jpg

 

 

and the grill doing what its suppost to do. Catch things and protect and it sure did. Those cigarette butts trying to kill me. (don't mind the pretty color'd zip ties, I ran out of black ones.)

http://i26.tinypic.com/f6yia.jpg

Looks great. How does the emblem attach to the oem grill?

looks good. Paint the mesh black and add the emblem and it would look sick as hell

 

-Brian

take the mesh out and paint it black.

 

 

******* awesome job man. I'm contemplating doing this this weekend. The chrome rim kind of drives me nuts though.

Someone on here has already blacked out their grill. I dont think they had a flush grill, but it would give you more to think about.

 

Ill look for it.

Looks great. How does the emblem attach to the oem grill?

 

Stock it attches with silicone/glue. Not sure how i am going to attch to the mesh.