Some of you are anxious to know if the SRT8 grill will fit on a Non-SRT8 GC, so here you go.
No, it will not fit without modifications, either to the SRT8 Grill or the bumper cover.
Here are my findings; the 4 retaining pins on top and 2 bolts on both sides of the grill lined up perfectly when mounted to the front of the vehicle. But the problem occurred when installing the bumper cover. It appeared to me that the bumper/facia won't push in far enough to engage the 4 mounting taps on top of the bumper cover. As a result, the edges on the grill do not line up with edges below headlights (see 1st photo for illustration). And retain holes on sides of the bumper can't reach retaining points on the edges of the fender wells. I had a buddy pushing on the bumper in attempts to line them up but without success.
So I pulled out the SRT8 grill to compare side by side with the standard grill, and immediately noticed two subtle differences on the mounting points. 1. Mounting slots on SRT8 grill has ridges down the middle where the standard grill does not (see 2nd and 3rd photos, I stole the 3rd photo from Pblaias LED thread, thanks). 2. Mounting slots on SRT8 grills are shallower or shorter in depth than standard grill's (see 4th photo).
It was late at night and I was tired so I decided to reinstall the standard grill and the bumper cover and tackle the job another day. Not surpprised, the reinstallation was swift with all points snapped in easily, unlike the SRT8 grill . I'm guessing and hoping that the ridges on SRT8 mounting slots are causing most of the installation problem but will post updates when I go at it again. If my guess is correct, it would be an easy fix to grind out the ridges.
Oh well, at least I'm pleased about having Corsa cat-back installed today :lol:.
Shaved off the ridges on tab slots and tried mounting again tonight. Sorry to report the bumper still didn't fit on the Jeep with the SRT8 grill. Got to be somewhere something I can't see stoping the bumper being pushed in. Don't want to mess with it anymore so I'll take it to a body shop soon.
Perhaps the sRT8 bumper on eBay will be compatible with the SRT8 grill? Nah.. don't want to dig myself into a bigger hole .
Yes I will. Made an appointment with a bodyshop for next Monday to have it fitted. If possible, will document what need to be modified on the SRT8 grill to fit the standard bumper. Cheers.
I bought it from http://www.justforjeeps.com/20srgrchgr.html , use Peter5 coupon code for additional 5% discount. Board member Rushdriven may have a eBay souce for cheaper pricing. Cheers.
Okay apart from the the fact you would lose the cool looking mesh can't you swap the chrome and painted sections to see if that is possible?
I would swap the parts first to see if the swap is possible and then I would cut the fins out of each grille support and swap them attaching the peices with 3M two sided mounting tape and call it a day
and don't be surprised if the body shop offers the same solution. That way it can be taken apart normally and you don't have to MacGuyver it every time you have to take off the bumper for a repair or modification.
you can alway buy a used grille off ebay if you don't want to sacrifice you OEM especiall if it is a Overland/Summit grille
This is exactly what i'm interested in doing since I installed the diamond mesh grilles from Ablaze. I would just like to replace the chrome with the srt8 painted/chrome overlay.
I think some of the none SRT guys like the color matched w/ the chrome outline that the stock SRT's have. I just like the color matched grille with no chrome. Plus I think a lot of guys want that factory paint vs paint over chrome or sanded chrome then paint
Ok boys, it took a couple bodyshop hours and they charged me $100 cash to have it fitted. They had to trim off approximately half an inch from the inner corners of the bumper (see red arrows in 2nd photo) to install the bumper properly with the SRT8 grill on the car. Unfortunately the edges on the grill still do not match up with the bumpers'. One solution I can think of is to add spacers between painted part of the grill and the plastic honeycomb base in an attempt to line up the edges. But again, that would leave gaps between the two..hmmm.
Considering $$ and time I spent on it, the option of painted grill with chrome mesh is starting to look pretty good too . Cheers.
SO JEALOUS! I've been wanting to do this since the second I laid eyes on the SRT grill, this looks so good, a little chrome keeps it classy yet the paint to match part makes it not so 'blingy'. What did you pay for the grill and where did you buy it from?
SO JEALOUS! I've been wanting to do this since the second I laid eyes on the SRT grill, this looks so good, a little chrome keeps it classy yet the paint to match part makes it not so 'blingy'. What did you pay for the grill and where did you buy it from?
How bout some more daytime pics? I'd like to see the fit at all the seams. If I go this route I'm thinking I'll have to disassemble the grille for painting to match my Charcoal gray. From what you've seen do you think this is possible?
How bout some more daytime pics? I'd like to see the fit at all the seams. If I go this route I'm thinking I'll have to disassemble the grille for painting to match my Charcoal gray. From what you've seen do you think this is possible?
I'll post some daytime shots soon. Yeah, anything is possible if you throw enough money at it . The painted front can be easily separated from the plastic mesh by releasing the tabs from the backside. But the chrome trims will have to be carefully mask off before painting I imagin. Good luck.
Very nice writeup here. Even with the difficulties and very slight mis-alignment on the edges, I will say it looks AMAZING installed on the non-SRT!!!
Man, now I want to attempt this mod as well on my Mineral Grey Overland.
I would love to see more pictures and better quality if your able
Does anyone know why JustforJeeps.com does not list the SRT grill in MG yet?
You totally read my mind I've been wanting to do this mod for my Laredo for some time now thanks for the tips. Anyone know where to get the chrome lettering on the doors instead of the other plating?