Custom front grille instructions.
Custom front grille instructions.
After recieving tons of requests from the members of this board in regards to my grille I've decided to post a "how to" to answer all your questions.
The following parts can be found at your nearest Home Depot and Pep Boys.
Parts:
Aluminum Meshing
Black gloss auto spray paint
6 screws to fit the the existing bolts that wll be removed off the existing grille or if you want something easier to work with 6 black zip ties.
Tools required
Wire Cutters
Flat head screw driver
Pliers
Adjustable wrench (Socket if possible)
Tape Measurer
Removing your factory grille:
Open your hood and locate the 6 nuts that holds the grille in place. There are 2 of which are covered by black plastik coverings. After you remove those and you will notice that the grille is still attached. There are an additional 2 plastik screws that fastens the grille in place. Carefully use your pliers to clamp and push them out. Use your hand to aide the grille out by gently applying pressure upwards. They are stubborn and may require several attempts.
Making the grille:
Check the measurements of the opening of where the factory grille once was. Measure it as if you were to measure a rectangle the add about 2 inches extra on each side, I will explain why later. Apply those measurements to the aluminum mesh and cut accordingly. After you cut out what is presumably a perfect rectangle, paint it on both sides with the black auto paint. Wait for it to dry and put on another layer to prevent chipping in the future. Now you need to cut a 2 inch square on all four corners of the rectangle so that you will be able to fold the edges in.
Installing the grille:
After the mesh is completly dried, take it and hold it in front of the opening so you can visually see what you are about to do. This is the tricky part. You need to manually bend the mesh along the edges to where the additional 2 inches is folded and flushed with the inside walls of the opening. After you sucessfully fold the outer edges you will notice that the folded section of the mesh overlap the existing holes that once accomodated the screws of the factory grille. Now is time for fasten in the new custom grille. This part is up to you. You can either use screws or the black zip ties to fasten in the mesh. If you decide to use the black zip ties, simply cut off the excess plastik.
When you finish it should look something like what's beyond the link on the bottom.
I hope this was some what helpful.
http://www.lancerforums.com/registry...p?vehicleid=24
The following parts can be found at your nearest Home Depot and Pep Boys.
Parts:
Aluminum Meshing
Black gloss auto spray paint
6 screws to fit the the existing bolts that wll be removed off the existing grille or if you want something easier to work with 6 black zip ties.
Tools required
Wire Cutters
Flat head screw driver
Pliers
Adjustable wrench (Socket if possible)
Tape Measurer
Removing your factory grille:
Open your hood and locate the 6 nuts that holds the grille in place. There are 2 of which are covered by black plastik coverings. After you remove those and you will notice that the grille is still attached. There are an additional 2 plastik screws that fastens the grille in place. Carefully use your pliers to clamp and push them out. Use your hand to aide the grille out by gently applying pressure upwards. They are stubborn and may require several attempts.
Making the grille:
Check the measurements of the opening of where the factory grille once was. Measure it as if you were to measure a rectangle the add about 2 inches extra on each side, I will explain why later. Apply those measurements to the aluminum mesh and cut accordingly. After you cut out what is presumably a perfect rectangle, paint it on both sides with the black auto paint. Wait for it to dry and put on another layer to prevent chipping in the future. Now you need to cut a 2 inch square on all four corners of the rectangle so that you will be able to fold the edges in.
Installing the grille:
After the mesh is completly dried, take it and hold it in front of the opening so you can visually see what you are about to do. This is the tricky part. You need to manually bend the mesh along the edges to where the additional 2 inches is folded and flushed with the inside walls of the opening. After you sucessfully fold the outer edges you will notice that the folded section of the mesh overlap the existing holes that once accomodated the screws of the factory grille. Now is time for fasten in the new custom grille. This part is up to you. You can either use screws or the black zip ties to fasten in the mesh. If you decide to use the black zip ties, simply cut off the excess plastik.
When you finish it should look something like what's beyond the link on the bottom.
I hope this was some what helpful.
http://www.lancerforums.com/registry...p?vehicleid=24
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Stuck = stickied = permanent. I'll post pics and stories (boy oh boy) when I do my grill, but I don't expect to do it in the very near future. From the description you've given though it should go off without any major hitches. Preciate it. 
I'm no plastik, but the mesh you use is totally up to you. There are meshes made for automotive applications (no different from any other mesh really, but probably wider than whatever you've found) that may work well. I'd suggest trying looking around personally. There's always chickenwire, right? ...or barbed wire! 
home depot sells 8 ft. rolls of aluminum mesh for under 3 bux. look in the roofing section. I recommend aluminum meshing because it is alot easier to bend and work with. I also recommend that you use gardening gloves to protect your hands because you will jack your hands up pretty badly if you're not careful.
Evolving Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
i planned on doing a mesh job too...
I wanted to do the same thing, just tonight I was messin with it. Undid all the nuts and screws, and yeah those two black covers. But I'm taking it a step further...I'm gonna weld off the mid-section attached to the hood-but retain the hood latch piece-then make a fiberglass copy of the frame casing for the two blinds/stock-grill, and make it more open. BTW it looks kinda like an IS300 like that, Heheh, but better in my opin. I'll post pics when I get it done, if this thread sticks. Good tips man, definite aid for the Lancer Community...Hey maybe if I do my thingy I can make an in-depth full-custom tutorial? Hahah, I guess we'll see..
- Good shizzle plastik,
- - Kei.
- Good shizzle plastik,
- - Kei.