My Satoshi Mod

[seanmh]

I decided to take the plunge this weekend and start my satoshi mod. I drastically underestimated how much work it would be but I think the outcome will be great.

After cutting, I began to sand.

Open hole after cutting and sanding:

Fiberglass:

Bondo:

The mesh I found locally, heavy duty and rigid:

Bending of the mesh after cutting:

Final fitting:

It will be more flush with the curve of the plastic when it's installed. I'll have more later today or tomorrow.

Let me know what you guys think.

 

[Mytoy4]

Lookin' good!

 

[gaterose]

Looks good so far, I like how you made the mesh even with the front like I did as opposed having flat mesh in the back like many others.

What did you use to bend your mesh?

 

[Husker Z]

Looks awesome, can't wait to see the final product. I would LOVE to do this mod sometime, but I'm not sure I have the time or the patience to do it.

 

[seanmh]

gaterose, your grill was my inspiration. Yours looks so clean. I just had to go with the 3D look. As for bending I used some wood 2x4s, a hammer and some elbow grease. Placed the mesh in between the two pieces of wood and started hammering.

I spent extensive time on the mockup in cardboard form before I started and just kept checking against the mesh between bends.

 

[Doozi]

Very nice! Can't wait to see the finished product!

 

[AleksV]

Looks great so far. I'm guessing this is going on 06+?

 

[seanmh]

Looks great so far. I'm guessing this is going on 06+?

Yes, should have specified. 2006 SR5.

 

[deedst4r]

Awesome write up! How difficult did you think working with the fiberglass and bondo was? I can't wait to see the final pictures!

 

[seanmh]

Awesome write up! How difficult did you think working with the fiberglass and bondo was? I can't wait to see the final pictures!

Fiberglass and bondo are incredibly easy. You just need to work quickly before the fiberglass becomes unworkable. Simply plan it out, make sure all of the fiberglass is cut.

 

[seanmh]

Pictures of the finished product. I'll get a better one later today.
Linking because the pictures are huge.

http://i.imgur.com/xZ6zu.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/B5qda.jpg

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Looks great, I love it!

 

[BobbyZee]

Pics look awsome...great job:bravo:

 

[BOSMECH]

That looks great you did a awesome job.

 

[AleksV]

Looks like quality work, I just think color matched would look better, but I'm just not a fan of chrome.

 

[Doozi]

Very nice work... came out great!

 

[seanmh]

Looks like quality work, I just think color matched would look better, but I'm just not a fan of chrome.

Agreed. My experience with painting over chrome hasn't gone well. Maybe I'll run it by someone to paint it for me.

 

[Huskey]

Defiantly looks good, this one my favorite "cosmetic" mods and I'm eager do this one of these days. I think it would look good if you could use the same mesh and fill in the lower grill/opening on your bumper and remove the two horizontal plastic bits

 

[calikev]

Defiantly looks good, this one my favorite "cosmetic" mods and I'm eager do this one of these days. I think it would look good if you could use the same mesh and fill in the lower grill/opening on your bumper and remove the two horizontal plastic bits

This is exactly what I did to mine, but I have to keep the front plate in CA---it's hard to see the mesh at the bottom but it's looks really good---I just need the sport hood with scoop and to do the headlight blackout and it will be perfect then!

My truck is the same color as yours, so this should show you what it will look like if you color code the grille to the truck.

 

[shootersanks]

Looks great and super clean. You said that the fiberglass and bondo were pretty easy to work with, but out of curiosity because you put the mesh flush with the front of the grill do you think the fiberglass and bondo are necessary?