Mods - Exterior Discussion related to the looks of the exterior of the HHR.

My $1.08 Lower Grille Mod on Shaggy and Shaggy Has New Teeth

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Old 07-08-2006, 06:30 PM
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My $1.08 Lower Grille Mod on Shaggy and Shaggy Has New Teeth

That is right, I did say $1.08. They had 3 outside a package and the normal price was $6.78 for 5 and she sold them to me for $3 for 3.

I went on a quest for a grille like Sindys and walked the whole store at Lowe's. Finally ended up at the gutter area and there was all kinds of goodies. you can get dark brown plastic and they had this anodized aliminum. 5 to a ack for $6.78.

Pics and URL for product i used below

ok so this is how it installs
1. cut to 33 inches
2. Flatten the mesh so it is smooth and it bends or curves in an arch slighltly by itself. this bend matches the HHRs grille opening
3. unbend tabs on back of stainless clips pretty far out and take off mesh
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4. at 9 inches in from each side and where there is a flat part on top, put the clip thru the mesh at the 3rd slot down and then take a needle nose pliers and flatten the lil tabs
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you are ready to install
5. make sure that it is exactly between the 2 posts on top and align the tabs on the top of the mesh and push the clips down on the plastic rail there on the inside of the bumper. it goes on snug. the mesh goes along the top and fits snug when you do this

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6. wedge the mesh against the left and right bolts coming out of the bumper ( you can buy a metric nut and a large fender washer and screw it down on the post and really secure the 2 top sides down) I didnt have time to go to Turners Hardware and find 2 nuts. i will post tomorrow.
7. gently hold the mesh flat against the hole in the bumper on the back and the with your finger tips, bend the mesh over the bottom edge and lightly and firmly pinch in place. do this all along the bottom edge and sides.

You now have a custom fitted lower grille.

this was way too easy and anyone can do this

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Lowes
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...57336&pad=true

Home Depot
http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS...=09-12343952-2

Last edited by SindyDix; 08-09-2009 at 09:28 AM. Reason: as requested
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Old 07-08-2006, 06:35 PM
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Looks great, I just and I mean, just got back from HD with the same leaf guard. Iam gonna paint mine with the bedliner stuff, since I already have it.

So, use the two clips and the bolt it in with the two nuts already there?
So, I will need two metric nuts and washers, huh?
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Old 07-08-2006, 06:35 PM
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Excellent CJ, that's what I did the other day, it cost me about $8.00 all together. Excellent mod!
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Old 07-08-2006, 06:59 PM
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I got the same deal their on Wednesday. Bought two. one for a spare.(just in case). Taking trip to Florida on friday. Did not want to get stuck without a/c. Got a couple of mods to finish monday, then will take pic's. Hey CJ, the bolts are metric #8- 1.25 they were .34 cents each in the bolt dept.
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Old 07-08-2006, 07:08 PM
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That's a good idea on the clips there.

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Old 07-08-2006, 07:14 PM
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Woohoo! I'm excited. Got me a grille comin' when I move up there in a couple of weeks. New name for CJ....MCGUYVER
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Old 07-08-2006, 07:39 PM
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Fort Worth, I used to live there!!!!!! My family still does. How`s the weather, hope there is no tornandos. Yeah, I told my wife that we have never had any tornadoes is like 80 yrs, then I looked out my window, by I`m dumb!
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Old 07-08-2006, 08:31 PM
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you can use the gutter stuff just watch out it will rust you can also get a 2x8 sheet of metal lathe at home depot for like 6 or 8 dollars so you can do more or a bigger piece we use that stuff for body kits. it is in the drywall area use for stucko
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Old 07-08-2006, 08:42 PM
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So the clips come with the mesh???
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Old 07-08-2006, 08:46 PM
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Yes, two and they will pry off easily. As for the rust issue, use the bedliner stuff, and scuff it real good then wipe with alcohol. OR paint it.
I do not think the paint will last that long as it chips easily.
Time will tell.
Gutter gaurd, $1.61
2 disposable brushes, $.70
$3.01 plus tax= $3.35
Not bad insurance!!!!!!!
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