Bandit Runner's Build Thread

[Bandit Runner]

Here is what I came up with for my grille mod. Basically cut everything in the middle out, like everyone else does. But then, make a custom center section to mount the badge to. The center section attaches to the top and bottom horizontal pieces of the grille with the "X" shaped beams. Once epoxied together the "X" will give the grille some rigidity, which was lost after removing all the ribs. Of course there will also be the perforated metal mesh behind the entire grille (not shown in pics).

Front view:

Close up:

With bumper and offroad lights in place:

What'cha think?

 

[ColeTrain76 3OH3]

Front view:

I Like It! Is the Toyota emblem going to bigger than the one already on? Side idea with the mesh going in as well you could make the X pop by bronzing it as well.

 

[Bandit Runner]

I Like It! Is the Toyota emblem going to bigger than the one already on? Side idea with the mesh going in as well you could make the X pop by bronzing it as well.

The emblem is my original 2002 emblem, which is quite a bit larger than the emblems for the '96-'98's. You are right, the X might get washed out and be hard to see with the black mesh behind it. I'll have to see when its done.

 

[ColeTrain76 3OH3]

we all will be eagerly waiting! :hungry:

 

[Bandit Runner]

So I really like the look of 2 large round offroad lights on top of the front bumper. Since the deer smashed my old ones, I want to upgrade to LED lights. The problem is there aren't many large round LED lights that don't cost a fortune. Then I found these on Ebay for around $200:

They are 7" diameter, and have 12 5-watt Cree bulbs in each light. The light output pics are pretty impressive. I know they are made in China, but most LED light bars are too, and many folks have been happy with those. I think I might give these a try. There is a guy on Pirate4x4 selling them too. Here's some more info:
Olympus Off Road Zeus Pro Series Lights - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Anybody know anything else about these?

 

[99 sr5 highlander]

How about something like this.





It probably wouldn't do much for rigidity, but if I could do a custom grill insert, this is what I would do. Just an idea, i really like yours too.

 

[JohnBill53]

[MENTION=77045]99 sr5 highlander[/MENTION] yes.

 

[Bandit Runner]

How about something like this.

It probably wouldn't do much for rigidity, but if I could do a custom grill insert, this is what I would do. Just an idea, i really like yours too.

That's not bad at all. Nice job with the photoshop! I prefer the cleaner look of the emblem, rather than the verbage though. You should definitely do that. You could cut the "bars" out of a piece of sheetmetal.

 

[Bandit Runner]

Been working on my grille mods. I got all the "junk" cut out:

I'm in the process of filling in the holes now. I'm using plastic weld epoxy.

 

[Bandit Runner]

A few more pics. I filled in all the unwanted openings last night with plastic weld epoxy. Spent most of this morning sanding. The basic shape is all there now.

And a close-up of one end (don't mind the nosey cat):

There was a hard edge with molding flash all around the chamfer on the front edge. I spent some time filing that off and smoothed out the transition too. I also decided to fill in the two slots on either side of the front bottom rail. I'm not sure what they were there for in the first place, but it looks much cleaner now.

Now I need to smooth things out with some bondo. Man I suck at body work though. I won't have the "X" shaped center piece for a week or so yet.

 

[t4r4life]

Kitty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bandit Runner]

I got the "X" center section for my grille mod built. Still need to put a few coats of fiberglass resin on it and sand it smooth. Then I'll attach it to the grille.

 

[Bandit Runner]

More progress on the grille mod. I cut out several pieces of plastic that I can epoxy to the back side of the grille. These will be used to screw into, to fasten the mesh piece securely from behind.

Pieces all cut out and positions marked:

Plastic pieces epoxied into place:

I also got the "X" piece all sanded smooth, and then epoxied that into place also:

Just need to smooth out the transitions at the ends of the X, then it is time to paint.

 

[cdrewferd]

That grill is going to look sweet.

 

[Bandit Runner]

That grill is going to look sweet.

Thanks man. And so is your new front bumper! haha

 

[cdrewferd]

Thanks man. And so is your new front bumper! haha

Indeed!!!!

 

[smkd13]

You should as toyota horns to that grill mod

 

[Bandit Runner]

You should as toyota horns to that grill mod

I seriously thought about it, but decided it might look kind of strange on an older guy's truck.

 

[Bandit Runner]

It just keeps on snowing here. I just shoveled 6" of snow out of the driveway (again), and its still snowing. We have about a 6 foot wall of snow along the entire driveway, all from shoveling.

The snow cave is my son's doing. If it gets much bigger, I'll be able to drive my truck through it.

 

[smkd13]

I seriously thought about it, but decided it might look kind of strange on an older guy's truck.

Yeah I can see your point I that one. What do you use to do your 3d molding