Would You Mail Your Grille To Get It Modded?

I've been going over this idea a bit in my head and just want to throw it out there to see what other people think of it.

I enjoy having a project to focus on and keep me busy in my free time (if it puts a few bucks in my pocket that's even better) and recently that project has been the Satoshi grille mod. I know there are people out there not wanting to chop up their own and risk messing it up or they just don't have the space/supplies to make one.

The problem with selling a pre-made Satoshi is that the price of the spare grille quickly raises the cost of making one which gets passed onto whoever is buying it. I know deals on spare grilles pop up from time to time but from what I've seen the norm is around $100 and usually only the chrome one can be found.

I want to try to get a little feedback from potential Satoshi buyers what their thoughts are on sending in their current grille to get modded. Yes that would involve driving without a grille for maybe a week or two, not illegal to do that I know of but correct me if I'm wrong.

Mailing in your current grille solves the problem of tracking down a Satoshi in the color of your choice or having to get it color matched afterwards, unless you have a chrome one and you want a color matched then you're still screwed.

Like I said I'm just throwing this idea out there to see what some thoughts are on it. If it's a well recieved idea then I hope to be knocking out some Satoshi's in the near future.

 

I'm just gonna do my own. That's the fun of it.

If I screw it up, I'll just buy another oem one.

 

I'd liked to see some pics of what it would look like and what the cost would be?

 

I'd definately be interested, but i would have to see some of your work to be able to trust you. NO offense, but its expensive to replace if you mess it up, not saying you would. But anyways if yours were good quality id have no problem sending it to you if the price was right?

 

Anyone capable of doing it, or even thinking that they might be able to pull it off, should do it themselves. It's a lot of fun and whenever you look at it you know that you made that badass grille.

I'm just trying to get the opinions from people with no interest in doing it themselves or a fear that they would sand their own face off.

I had one for sale on ebay this past week and there's a thread with some pics but I'll post the pics on here tomorrow. Need to take pics of the new one I just put on my truck anyway. They were both chrome but I'll post pics of both anyway.

Not offended at all. It could turn into a pricey situation if someone screwed you over on this. I'll post pics of my work.

 

For those who wanted some pics here are some of one I recently sold on ebay. Not sure if he's a memeber of TW or not but if he is I'll get him to post up some pics and feedback when it gets installed.

I also took some pics of the one currently on my truck but then realized how dirty it is when I reviewed the pictures.

I'll have to wash my truck then post up pics of mine.

 

I just sold another Satoshi on eBay and thought I wouldn't do any more for a while. Then I made up a list of mods I would like to do...it wouldn't hurt to make a couple extra bucks at this point.

Between this thread and a few PM's I know a few people said they might be interested in sending in their grille to me to get modded. If anyone is still interested in this then now is your chance to save some cash compared to the eBay auctions.

A couple pics of some of my work:

My personal grille, done with customcargrills.com mesh






The one I just sold on ebay, formerly chromed and now primed and ready for paint, done with Lowes mesh.





Anyway, just wanted to update this thread and let those of you interested know that I am ready and waiting to do this.

 

I hope you made it clear to the buyer that was a chrome grill? You don't want the buyer to be pissed when the paint starts peeling off.

I remember seeing that auction. But I don't recall it saying it was a primed chrome grill?

 

I like the grille on your truck with the trd emblem.how much would this cost with the emblem?

 

Interesting idea, I do like the satoshis with a mid or smaller "TOYOTA" discretely in the middle

 

I stated in the auction, as well as the for sale thread I had, that it was formerly chorme and now sanded and primed with adhesion promoter. Everything is on the up and up and the buyer is aware.

I know you weren't implying this but I don't half ass anything and not trying to screw anyone over.

I'm looking to keep this as simple as possible as well as inexpensive as possible for everyone involved. The mesh on my grille cost $70 for the sheet I used. If I offered this to others then that would automatically jack the price up by that much.

I use Lowes mesh, blacked out with Krylon Fusion and then with a clear coat. It's inexpensive and works just fine. If anyone wanted to swap that mesh out at some point it would be easy to get ahold of whatever style wanted and then simple attach it with zip ties through the mounts I attach to the inside of the grille.

As for the emblems, I don't have any top secret method of attaching the emblem. Just a small zip tie or two ran over the emblem, in discreet locations to keep it clean looking, and then back through the mesh. Anyone could easily get whatever emblem they choose off ebay or any other source and attach it themselves in literally 2 minutes.

 

Another way to secure the mesh is to buy one of these at Home Depot (pipe hanger)


Cut one of the 11 segments with the nail hole and secure it with ABS cement like this


and use a screw and washer to attach the mesh to the grille surround.

Screw bosses attached like this (ABS to ABS with ABS cement) will last until the world ends.

 

^ Good to know, might have to look into that.

 

No wasn't trying to imply anything of the sort. Just wanted to make sure you avoid any future issues.

 

Ran the numbers on what it would take for me to do this with shipping, parts, and labor. If you're interested in this feel free to send a PM my way with what you're looking for.

As far as getting nice ass professional mesh on the grille, you could either purchase it yourself and attach it to the grille or add on the cost to me and I'll just order it and put it on for you.

http://www.customcargrills.com/index.asp

The universal mesh link is what you're looking for, a 12" x 48" sheet is needed.

 

I want a Satoshi grill, but do not have the time or patience to make one. So yes, I would mail out my grill. But to be honest, I'd rather pay a little bit more and get another whole grill that was done, and had it shipped to me and then keep my stock one as a backup.

 

x100.

 

Good to know, that's what I need on this idea...feedback. Thanks.

 

No problem. If you start making more of them, I'll buy one for my truck.