Raptor's Official Grille Upgrade Thread
 

So the wreck totalled my old chrome surround. The main insert was fine. So now I'm on the hunt for a new surround.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...20081212_3.jpg

No one wanted to sell me just the surround, and since the main billet insert was fine, I turned to my long-forgotten stock H-bar up in the garage rafters.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...20081212_1.jpg

Fixed:

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...1/DSC04866.jpg

My new project!

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...1/DSC04871.jpg

Many of you may remember a year or so ago when I got my stock bumper painted? Well I pulled whats left of the primer, base, thinner, and CC from the spider webs and cut the center H-bar out of my old stocker.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...1/DSC04872.jpg

Some bondo and a lot of sanding will fix this fracture that was causing by hitting a deer at 55 mph many years ago.

I will be borrowing a jigsaw from someone and cutting along the edge to get it looking just like my old one. I will be sanding it down smooth, and begin priming it. In the end it will be white, to match the truck.

Before picture (will be using this for comparison for when the project is completed):

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...1/DSC04873.jpg

Best part of all, my estimated cost will be around $0.00! Check back often for updates!

thats alot of work, im starting another Patman grill myself, so im right there with you :p

Sounds like you have a good plan. Hope it turns out the way you want.

hey raptor try lmctruck.com they have those surroundings i beleve in chrome

LMC truck has the 99+ models, not the '98 grille. Secondly, I want mine white, and thirdly, this will cost me nothing and I must say, homemade mods beat factory mods in both pride and self-esteem levels :D

Update #1- I'm at my friend's house now waiting for his dad to get home so we can both pick a good day to do the painting. Still trying to locate a jigsaw.

Update:

Managed to get the the center off, still in the process of sanding down. Possibly going to prime tomorrow. I took a pic but cant figure out how to copy from my cameras internal memory onto the card.

All sanded down and ready for primer :thumbsup:

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...1/DSC04880.jpg

Stupid law saying you cant buy paint supplies if you are under 18 has postponed my project for a week. AutoZone also didn't let me get JB Weld to fix a crack caused by a deer collision. Grr....

i got carded for spray paint but a few days before i bought a can of dip from the same cashier and didnt get carded.. its halarious

good luck man.

I got carded years ago when I bought the movie Office Space.

I'm 29 and got carded buying spray paint a few weeks ago too....by some old bag who was about 70.

haha sorry raptor for the hyjack...

ive got carden for some stupid crap... super glue... WTF it happened.

I got carded for buying a 10pk of sharpies at walmart when i was in highschool :rolleyes:

Haha. America, huh? Well I'm going to have my dad pick up some primer and JB weld this week. Hope to have it painted by Sat and installed on Sun.

i was carded for a rated R movie a few months back, im almost 22.........