Jeep Garage  - Jeep Forum banner

Paint-matched Grille & Tow-Hook Install

12K views 21 replies 11 participants last post by  Sparro 
#1 ·
I finally had a chance to swap out my stock Overland grille today. I swapped it out for a paint matched grille (thanks Scotts Paint & Performance) with the Summit inner mesh. I simply bought a Summit grille online ($299 on eBay), popped the chrome bars off and sent it out for painting.

While I had the front off I installed my tow hooks. I didn't want to spend the $285 for the genuine Trailhawk hooks so I painted the traditional black Mopar's with red caliper paint. I simply sanded, primed and painted four coats. I know these will not stand up to abuse of chains or straps but since I do not do much more than mild trail riding in my Overland I doubt I will be using them so I went with style over function.

BEFORE


DURING




AFTER







This took me about 4-hours to do alone.
 
See less See more
6
#3 ·
Yeah, it was a gorgeous Veterans Day so I took advantage of it.

Which reminds me, thanks to all who have served and continue to serve and I'll keep doing my part to supply you with the best armor, equipment, vehicles and firepower!
 
#7 ·
Actually, it is pretty easy. I've done it twice now, both times by myself and have managed not to scratch or destroy my bumper.

Drill out the two rivets in each fenderwell, remove a few screws underneath and then start at one end of the bumper and give a firm tug and work your way around

Be mindful that the fogs will still be attached (you can reach in and disconnect prior to removal) and if you have ACC watch the sensor when replacing -- my bumper was getting hung-up while I was trying to put back on because the inside of the lower bumper was hitting the lower portion of the ACC sensor.

I went ahead and placed masking tape on the fender trim pieces and the other edges so I didn't inadvertanly scratch anything.

Also, make sure you have a rivet gun and rivets aead of time: Hand Riveter with 40 Industrial Strength Poly Rivets I used the 6.6mm x 17.2mm rivets as replacements and they fit fine.

MOPAR removal instructions: http://www.wk2jeeps.com/pdf/2011_2013_wk2_fascia_grille_headlamp_removal.pdf
 
#8 · (Edited)
Looks great!
You could have bought a Brilliant Black "Altitude Edition" Grill to match your brilliant blank WK2 & saved some time and money as it comes already painted from Jeep!

Brilliant Black Painted Altitude Grill..........
Mopar part #1ZW79AXRAA MSRP $499.00 Cost $299.00 {PXR paint code}
 
#9 · (Edited)
Thanks. I had originaly planned on buying an Altitude grille but the Altitude's inner mesh has a slightly different (darker) chrome finish than the Summit inner mesh (Platinum Chrome vs. Bright Chrome) and with the other bright chrome pieces that I don't plan on removing (door handles, window trim, etc.) I wanted it to match.

But a great recommendation for others and $299 for the Altitude grille is a steal... justforjeeps has it at $449.10
 
#12 · (Edited)
I wasn't able to send pics over p.m so I'm going to write it here. Yes I did tint the corner of my headlights with Lamin -X "Smoke" (done by a local tint shop) and honestly it's my favorite thing on the whole truck, it really made everything come together.
I have a build thread named "The Queens Terror" with a bunch of pics. Here's a few
If I were to do it again I would probably go one stage darker with the lamin-x called "Charcoal", but I still love how mine are. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask. Post pics if you do it! Lol
 

Attachments

#18 ·
Looks Great, mine is being done right now.
Does anyone know if they make chrome inserts that would fit into the openings of the grill... kinda like whats on the 2014's?
 
#20 · (Edited)
I unfortunatly hit a deer (or the deer hit me!) which broke my front grille, scratched the hood, broke the right headlight housing, and broke my front fender. $5500 damage. Deer was dead!!!
So I told the body shop I wanted the SRT 8 grille. It does not fit the Overland. So I told him to paint the grille. He says you can't paint chromed plastic... the paint basically melts it away. They have outlawed oil based paints in Canada now, so its a water based paint they now use. So the only grille that would meet my requirements and fit was the Altitude black grille with chrome mesh. He had to paint it brilliant black cause it only came in the different black. I got the black tailgate trim coming from an Altitude to replace my Overland's chrome strip. The Altitude grille painted my colour was cheaper than the chrome one. Chrome was over $800 from Chrysler. There was no cost to me.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top