Satoshi GrillCraft *How To* w/ pics

Awesome job, I think I might have to try making it this way the next time I try it. Not nearly as messy this way.

I'm not sure on the mounting though, I might be looking at it wrong. Can you see the zipties from the front of the truck? I know they are black and blend it and it doesn't look like much showing but I can't tell if they are visible in the inner lip or if they don't go through it at all. Regardless

 

Sweeeeet

 

Wow, i wish i would of read this a few days ago... I've already started the fiberglass+bondo method. Nice guide.

 

Nice write up man. You just made this mod so much easier.

 

Nice job ,

OZ

 

those trd emblem bolts were sitting too close to the tranny cooler lines, so i trimmed em up

 

nice work klipp

 

okay let me know what you guys think about this. I went to home depot to get the zip ties and saw the packages of zip tie base mounts. I was thinking instead of drilling the holes for the ties you could use the base mounts and maybe add some epoxy to secure them (they have double sided tape on them) just thought the epoxy would hold better. In any case you could use alot with little cost and you wouldn't be able to see the zip ties from the front...... just my two cents here. I'm trying to figure out the best way to do this. I'm also looking at making a cover for the horns instead of moving them.....

 

I've used this method on the couple Satoshi grilles I've done and have had mixed results. The mounts and epoxy seem to stick just fine to the original plastic of the grille but sometimes want to break free from the fiberglass portion of the grille. I peel the sticky pad off the mount, rough up the spot I'm putting it with a dremel so there's something for the epoxy to grab onto and then just wait for it to cure.

On my personal grille I've had to go back a few times and redo the sides and haven't had to touch the top or bottom. Once you finally get everything secured down though it seems to hold up very well.

 

i haven't seen the mounts you're talking about, but that sounds like a great idea to me. you could hide the zip ties from the front view completely that way. post pics here when you're done!

 

I usually use a couple of those mounts on the grilles I make as well. I remove that double sided tape and rough up the plastic on the back portion of the grille prior to using ABS glue to bond the two plastics. If the surface isn't flat though they sometimes want to break free so watch where you are mounting them.

I usually only use a couple for the top because on the bottom of the grille on the back portion where it isn't visible I drill a few holes and loop the zipties through there on up to the grille. I can try and take a couple pics to explain what I mean if you need a visual.

 

If you could take a couple photos and post them that would be great. I'm going to attempt mine this weekend, and just saw photos of one you did with the perforated metal and it looked super clean. So I'd like to see exactly what you're doing to keep everything hidden.

I will however be using this new method as opposed to the fiberglass and bondo. I haven't had much success working with fiberglass in the past, so thats been my biggest concern in doing this mod.

 

feel free to post 'em here ty

 

Is the thickness the same for the plastic piece you epoxied back in to fill the gaps? I was thinking about doing something similar to what you did or taking it to a local plastic fabrication place to get some pieces plastic welded in.

 

yeah, the thickness is pretty much identical. you'll be sanding and putting a layer of the putty overtop anyway, so even if it's a little uneven, the putty will hide any flaws

 

Sorry for the pic size and quality I snapped them with the good ole cell phone.

Bottom of the grille


Drilled little holes just large enough to fit the zip-ties through. Make sure if you drill through the plastic tab you don't keep drilling and go through the outer grille surround.


Side of the grille
Drilled a hole through the empty box portion on an angle to run a zip-tie, that's real sturdy. The bottom two in this pic I tried to drill them close to the base. Careful not to overtighten here, I think the plastic my crack. I've had no problems with mine though, I've got it just a little past snug as far as I'm concerned. Did this on my grille and a few others I've made and no one has had problems yet (knock on wood).


And on the top I've been using the zip-tie tab thingy's



Let me know if you have any questions

 

subscribed for future refrence...Looks great.

 

lookin good, ty. good job!

 

Subscribed.

Definitely going to go with this method. Never worked with fiberglass/bondo before and this seems much more within my reach! Hopefully going to get to do my satoshi next weekend.

BTW, yours looks great Klipp11.

(And SWEET picture with the lions. )

 

Awesome Method. Kudos to Klipp. I had already bought the fiberglass for mine but this looked so much easier. I did it and it came out great. I epoxied "L" brackets and used bondo instead of putty but the base use of the cut outs went very smooth.