Mesh grill for xk8
#1
Mesh grill for xk8
As a relatively new owner I am excited about all of the options to dress up my XK8 and am both impressed and overwhelmed by the beauty of so many of the cars posted on the site, especially the XKR and XK8's.
After new wheels next year I would really like to add a mesh grill cover (black) . I have been looking on line and have seen a wide range of prices out there which I assume means a wide range of quality. Some appear to bolt on or attach directly without removing the front bumper. Others seem a little more involved.
Can members help me out with opinions, recommendations, or experiences in acquiring and installing mesh bumper covers? Photos as always a welcome part of any story.
Thanks much.
After new wheels next year I would really like to add a mesh grill cover (black) . I have been looking on line and have seen a wide range of prices out there which I assume means a wide range of quality. Some appear to bolt on or attach directly without removing the front bumper. Others seem a little more involved.
Can members help me out with opinions, recommendations, or experiences in acquiring and installing mesh bumper covers? Photos as always a welcome part of any story.
Thanks much.
#2
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#6
+1 on Bladerunner919.
There are three bolts either side between the plastic nose-cone and the wing (fender). In the UK these are often rusty and difficult to remove. There are another half-a-dozen or so fixings across the front under the bonnet (hood) which are protected from the weather so usually OK.
Mine is one piece of mesh, but obviously designed to fit around the black overriders.
The centre bar with badge is in addition to the grill and is screwed on from behind. It wasn't particularly well done on mine - you can see the slight "misfit" on the left hand side. That's since been rectified, and I have also removed the cheap $1 from Amazon V8 badge on the front which was hiding the fixing hole for the original Jaguar badge.
Thanks for the compliment, and yes, I assume it the "three piece" XKR style albeit made as one unit.
There are three bolts either side between the plastic nose-cone and the wing (fender). In the UK these are often rusty and difficult to remove. There are another half-a-dozen or so fixings across the front under the bonnet (hood) which are protected from the weather so usually OK.
Mine is one piece of mesh, but obviously designed to fit around the black overriders.
The centre bar with badge is in addition to the grill and is screwed on from behind. It wasn't particularly well done on mine - you can see the slight "misfit" on the left hand side. That's since been rectified, and I have also removed the cheap $1 from Amazon V8 badge on the front which was hiding the fixing hole for the original Jaguar badge.
Thanks for the compliment, and yes, I assume it the "three piece" XKR style albeit made as one unit.
Last edited by DevonDavid; 11-08-2016 at 03:03 AM. Reason: typo
#7
The OEM one is hard to find however there is one for sale here in Florida.
OEM Jaguar XKR XK-R mesh front grill 1997-2003
would make your car look something like this
Fitting it is not difficult. Would take a few hours if you went slow and careful.
OEM Jaguar XKR XK-R mesh front grill 1997-2003
would make your car look something like this
Fitting it is not difficult. Would take a few hours if you went slow and careful.
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#10
No your not. I replaced my X types with a mesh nearly the first thing I did and of course like the XJR look as well but the only thing I think think I would like more then the xk8 grill is just a big opening with nothing visable.
#11
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#14
Not at all. When I bought my XK8 I had in mind that the grille would be one of the first things I'd change, but I actually like it a lot as it is. Sometimes the mesh grilles can look like there's too much 'going on' at the front, especially if the vertical overriders are still there.
#15
It's a personal choice - I don't like the mesh sort-of flush with the aperture, but many owners do, and that's fine by me !!
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Here is my grill:
Last edited by blindside; 11-10-2016 at 08:35 AM.
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#19
If you have a lift it is even easier (I am so envious). I did mine a couple years ago. From memory...
Remove the black plastic front undertray - 6 or 8 screws
Remove the black plastic fender liners (optional but makes it easier) - 7 or 8 fasteners
Disconnect the fog lights
Disconnect the marker lights
Remove the 3 bolts that connect each fender to the bumper cover. You can see a couple of them in this pic above the marker light.
Remove the 6 bolts under the hood along the top of the bumper cover. There is a plastic plug in the center of the 6 bolts that I left till last. Pop that out when you are ready to lift the cover.
The cover should be loose at that point so you can ease it off.
Once it is off you will will need to cut the rivets on top and bottom of each of these two "aluminium" bumpers and remove them to make room for a flat grille. I used a dremel.
Then it is just a matter of mounting the new grille into the bumper cover and reassembling. I bought mine from Adamesh and it fit well.
Remove the black plastic front undertray - 6 or 8 screws
Remove the black plastic fender liners (optional but makes it easier) - 7 or 8 fasteners
Disconnect the fog lights
Disconnect the marker lights
Remove the 3 bolts that connect each fender to the bumper cover. You can see a couple of them in this pic above the marker light.
Remove the 6 bolts under the hood along the top of the bumper cover. There is a plastic plug in the center of the 6 bolts that I left till last. Pop that out when you are ready to lift the cover.
The cover should be loose at that point so you can ease it off.
Once it is off you will will need to cut the rivets on top and bottom of each of these two "aluminium" bumpers and remove them to make room for a flat grille. I used a dremel.
Then it is just a matter of mounting the new grille into the bumper cover and reassembling. I bought mine from Adamesh and it fit well.
#20
Thank you for your effort to present a great reply to my question. I'm impressed that you remembered the number and locations of the fasteners.
I'm definitely going to look into installing a new grill properly as you have done.
The lift is a back saver. I now drive on the car I'm working on, then adjust the height of the car to minimize the amount of bending I might have to do.
Thanks again for the excellent reply
Jack
I'm definitely going to look into installing a new grill properly as you have done.
The lift is a back saver. I now drive on the car I'm working on, then adjust the height of the car to minimize the amount of bending I might have to do.
Thanks again for the excellent reply
Jack