Modified Raptor/TRD Pro Hybrid Grill

[SalsaRed]

A while back I decided that I was going to attempt to make a Raptor style grill on my own, they just looked so cool. I didn't have easy access to a brake to make the bends, so I started making a make shift brake. I quickly realized that the grill is much more complicated to make than I thought, and I wanted to do something a little different than anyone else already had.

As I already had the mesh and Raptor letters, I was going to have to use those. I found a few pictures of a TRD Pro-esque tacoma grill that was tabbed up using square aluminum tube stock. I put the two ideas together and decided that I was going to mount the letters on a 3.5" piece of 3/16" thick 6061 aluminum flat stock. Painted the grill and flat stock black and the letters silver to get a little contrast.

It didn't turn out perfect, but I'm very happy with it for my first attempt at a custom grill. I plan on using the leftover mesh material to make the lower grill match. I have to clean out and reseal my headlights from my last retrofit attempt so I'll probably do it then.

What do you all think?

 

[clobna]

Not sure about the size of the lettering, but that red looks great cleaned up!

 

[EL CID]

So wait, is that a Toyota? Kidding man, I'm just impressed that you were able to fab something like that up! Mad skills, nice job!!

 

[ST1FLER]

I like it but a subdued lettering would look better IMO

 

[SalsaRed]

I like it but a subdued lettering would look better IMO

I've been wondering about that myself. I figured it would be easier to start this way and then plastidip the letters black if I want to try that out.

 

[cstmg8]

I like the concept, but would definitely dip the letters black, possibly red.

 

[pauldavis]

Yeah I agree with others. Mod looks great but the letters look a little too big. Either that or tone the contrast down between the letters and the black background. If it was darker they wouldny stand out so much. Over all though I think the concept is cool.

 

[SalsaRed]

Letters are almost done being dipped now, if it's not too dark I'll post an updated pic tonight. It's looking a lot better.

 

[SalsaRed]

Still drying, but its quickly getting dark here so I took a few shots.

 

[salong53]

I definitely like the black lettering better. Nice work

 

[marshal]

rustoleum makes a paint called midnight black metallic that is really really close to magnetic grey, slightly darker. i think the letters would look good in that black is too subdued.

 

[2chains]

Looks decent, I think a metallic colour ie. dark gray or very deep red for the letters would create contrast.

 

[mrmachinist]

I like that. Good work.