Well I got my grille inserts done.This is my first non "bolt-on" mod. They are made from 1/2" expanded metal which I spray painted.Powder coating would have been better,but I couldn't wait any longer. I also made and riveted a mounting plate for one of the hemi badges that I took off the sides.Sorry for the crappy photos,but let me know what you think.

 

Looks good. Like the Hemi plate. I've got a bunch of that stuff left over from a house project and was debating on doing it up?

 

Thanks dirtydog.Yeah I was trying to do something different with the hemi badge....kinda like the old muscle car grille emblems.

As far as the expanded metal I only had one real issue. I used an OEM black insert(seemed more flexible than the chrome one) to hold the wire inserts in.I cut all the horizontal fins out and just used the frame so I could have all the original snap attachments.Unlike the gutter mesh this metal was thicker(18g I think),so the black insert had trouble snapping shut.I had to grind/sand the remaining horizontal bar on the black insert to get it to snap shut.It was kind of a PITA,so just a heads up.

 

Nice job...looks good!

 

Looks really good nice mod

 

Looks really good man I like that!

 

looks a ton better than the "gutter grille" material. I hope the spray paint holds up though.

 

Thanks everyone,I like it much better this way.I have always loved the Rams that had dark material in the grille....making it look very deep.

Matt99, I have a spare grille to work with in case I need to pull this one for paint failure(I would then powdercoat for sure).My thought though is to take the spare grille(which is chrome too),and make it black w/stainless inserts.What do folks recommend for prepping/painting the grille itself, other than plasti-dip?

 

I took my stock 2 piece chrome grille out of my truck a couple months ago, sprayed some clear coat stripper on it (not the super heady duty stuff), then used black spray paint made for the material. Its holding up great and looks really good!