dmross Posted March 3, 2008 Posted March 3, 2008 I was inspired by some of the other DIY efforts here and decided to have a go at making my own. I removed the stock grill and went crazy with tin snips and my Dremel. I cut all the crap out of the center so it is just a frame. I took off the outer chromed ring and put a screen behind it, then remounted it. It took about 2 hours total time and looks pretty decent IMHO. I screwed up when cutting the screen so there is a spot with a gap on the sides, but I am going to buy another screen and do it right. The screen I used is from http://www.customcargrills.com which someone had linked to in another thread. Total cost is about $40 right now, which was the price of the screen. Notes: 1. Cutting plastic with a Dremel smells really bad and is probably not good for you to breathe. 2. Patience is a virtue, take your time when cutting. I have to buy a second screen now which will double the cost. 3. I am considering painting my radiator with some thermal dispersant paint, in order for everything to look "black" behind the grill. *see #4* 4. Make sure you mount the mesh the right way. The screen I bought is more transparent from certain angles making it easier to see the radiator in the pics below since I mounted it the upside down! http://chrono.firex.org/images/diygrill1.jpg http://chrono.firex.org/images/diygrill2.jpg
dmross Posted March 3, 2008 Author Posted March 3, 2008 After staring at it all day and talking to my euro-snob brother, I've decided that I'm gonna mount the Subaru emblem in the center because this looks a bit too ricey. I will post follow up pics later.
Underdog Posted March 3, 2008 Posted March 3, 2008 Definitely add the emblem. Good call. It's gonna look hot! The Crimson Dynamo
Repsak Posted March 3, 2008 Posted March 3, 2008 i would say paint the chrome. i think it sticks out waaay to much now. looks great tho!
CTATV Posted March 3, 2008 Posted March 3, 2008 looks good to me man, a nice STi or subaru logo just icing on the cake
collegemt Posted March 3, 2008 Posted March 3, 2008 Looks good, I might have to try this soon, getting real tireed of the chrome wings. I think the Emblem would look nice in the center.
collegemt Posted March 6, 2008 Posted March 6, 2008 Any updates with the Emblem in the Center yet. I really want to see how it turns out.
dmross Posted March 6, 2008 Author Posted March 6, 2008 I'm waiting for the replacement mesh to arrive before I mount the badge. I also realized that the current setup has the mesh upside down! Basically, it's much easier to see through it the way it is mounted. If it was right-side-up it wouldn't look so transparent. I will post update pics soon as I can.
CTATV Posted March 6, 2008 Posted March 6, 2008 cool. Im planning on just manning up and getting the rallitek one i know its 200 but i dont have the time to DIY it...
dmross Posted March 6, 2008 Author Posted March 6, 2008 Well, nice that you have that option with an 06. AFAIK there is no grill available for the 08. $50 and 2 hours and you're set! BTW I don't know who said that you need to take off the bumper to get the grill out but you don't (implied in one of the Rommel threads). It's a bit tricky to unscrew the grill with your hand jammed but it can be done!
CTATV Posted March 6, 2008 Posted March 6, 2008 Well, nice that you have that option with an 06. AFAIK there is no grill available for the 08. $50 and 2 hours and you're set! BTW I don't know who said that you need to take off the bumper to get the grill out but you don't (implied in one of the Rommel threads). It's a bit tricky to unscrew the grill with your hand jammed but it can be done! that just for 08s or you mean for all of the grills? I too would prefer not to take the bumper off
lamw001 Posted March 6, 2008 Posted March 6, 2008 Thanks. Very good DIY result! Subscribed for future reference.
Throttlejockey Posted March 31, 2008 Posted March 31, 2008 Which screen did you use? I'm thinking if trying the smaller hexagon mesh.
Throttlejockey Posted April 6, 2008 Posted April 6, 2008 Just did mine yesterday, I got the small hexagon mesh powdercoated black. Came out great. I'll post some pics later.
Throttlejockey Posted April 6, 2008 Posted April 6, 2008 From http://www.customcargrills.com Here's mine- http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Throttlejockey/08SpecB0092.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Throttlejockey/08SpecB0082.jpg
tito_b0y Posted April 6, 2008 Posted April 6, 2008 From www.customcargrills.com Here's mine- http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Throttlejockey/08SpecB0092.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Throttlejockey/08SpecB0082.jpg nice, which mesh grill pattern is that? and did you order it pre-painted or DIY? cuz it says add $10/$14.99 if I want it pre-painted gloss-black. 2006 SWP 3.0R 5EAT VDC BBQ 2008 OBP 2.5i 4EAT BBQ [RIP]
Throttlejockey Posted April 7, 2008 Posted April 7, 2008 http://www.customcargrills.com/proddetail.asp?prod=%2301%2DUM3 This one powdercoated gloss black.
LBpsu83 Posted April 8, 2008 Posted April 8, 2008 Both of you guys did a great job. Cars look amazing. Was it really that 'simple' to do though? Just cut the crap out'a the middle and install the mesh behind the chrome outside ring? Did u have to use adhesive/screws for the mesh? Or does it just sort of get snapped in when you reinstall the chrome? I am busy the next few weekends, but I have a weeks vacation starting April 19th..this could be my project!
Throttlejockey Posted April 8, 2008 Posted April 8, 2008 It definately wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. It was a bitch getting it wrapped around the chrome piece. Getting the screws out of the grill to get it off wasn't too easy either. I had to use a small mirror just to find them. You wrap the mesh over the chrome piece and it fits inside the black plastic part you cut the center out of. No adhesive.
nemo Posted April 8, 2008 Posted April 8, 2008 http://www.customcargrills.com/proddetail.asp?prod=%2301%2DUM3 This one powdercoated gloss black. Good choice. I think I might want to order the larger sized hex.. but I'm not sure.... If you don't vote Trump, out, you're a bigot who hates america.
Throttlejockey Posted April 8, 2008 Posted April 8, 2008 I like the look of smaller mesh. It hides what's behind it better too.
dmross Posted April 10, 2008 Author Posted April 10, 2008 I am going to mount the badge when I install the new mesh in mine. ThrottleJockey did it perfect IMHO, looks great!
nemo Posted April 10, 2008 Posted April 10, 2008 I like the look of smaller mesh. It hides what's behind it better too. How did you mount the emblem? If you don't vote Trump, out, you're a bigot who hates america.
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