So we all know how hard it is to find grills for a 1st gen LS. Ive been looking and looking for billet type grill for my 92' but cant find it anywhere but in Japan. And prices are kinda steep and I dont want a used, dented, dirty and busted grill. So I have just bought a big brand new billet grill that is way bigger than the oem 92' grill for next to nothing and my plans are to cut it to size and somehow have it stable behind the OEM sorrounding chrome grill as an insert. Ive been looking for any type of tutorial to cutting over sized billet grills to fit into to any other car and came accross nothing... Has anyone tried this or have seen this done? My main concern is not cutting the billet grill to fit but holding it stable behind the OEM chrome trim of the grill. Ill let this cook up here with you guys and maybe throw some ideas... And Ill be giving this a good shot next week with hopefully some inputs and make a HOW TO on it so anyone else that would like to do this will have a good reference.

 

I was considering doing this with a mesh insert instead of a billet grille awhile back.
I found a thread where someone had done this and posted the steps.
It would probably be helpful to you. Ill post back if I can find the link.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...tom-grill.html

You may need to make a bracket of sorts to attach the billet part to where he attached the mesh. Hopefully this helps.

 

VIP isnt cheap. You gotta pay to play! I myself am looking for a grill but it looks like carson toyota will be expecting my call soon.... sighh

 

No customization platform is cheap if youre trying to do it right. This isnt my first or second car that has been fully modified. I am just looking for alternatives and I am very handy when it comes to custom work so Id like to give this a try... so a billet grill for $30 plus a couple of hours of work is worth a shot plus it would be nice to have a good reference for any other car who's inserts are next to impossible to find. However if it doesnt turn out PERFECT, then I will keep the stock one until I find a billet one I like. No part of my car is unaccounted for any cheap parts, just trying this alternative. This idea came up when I was at my boys shop and he threw in the idea with the grill for so cheap so Ill give it a go.
And thanks Spencer, theres not much to hold the grill except for 4 vertical metal rods and about 20 or so vertical billets. But I know what youre talking about, maybe weld a couple of small brackets to hold onto OEM grill screw holes.... I will take a picture of the grill soon and give you guys an idea of the what Im working with.

 

Trenz used to make a billet grill for the 1st gen and early 2nd gen cars that was pretty popular, may want try to find a used one?

I've tossed the idea over a few times but seeing as how the only one i liked was ~$850 (and possibly discontinued...) i think i may just have one custom made when i'm ready.

 

i have a trenz on my car i bought in 2005..they soon discontinued them

 

Thank you pure for that info im going to check that out now. pretty much my last resort before i pull the trigger.

 

Yes for that price might aswell get a custom one done... or in my case, try and make it. Will update soon this weekend

 

like pure said trenz use to make them .... he's mine that i cut every other bar out.

 

The hunt for a grill is difficult, especially for the first gens. Sometimes, you have to kick around a few ideas, and even be really creative. It takes work,, I know.

 

what front bumper is that?

 

2 things about Lexkost's car,,,

1. His car is not a first gen, it is a 96 which falls into second gen category. he posted the pic of the grill so you guys could get a better feel for how it would look.

2. IIRC,, I think the kit he has on his car is an older, but much sought after, L-sportline kit. Unfortunately, it is no longer produced, nor will it even fit the first gen. Lexkost DOES have ALOT of custom mod work done on his car, so don't take my word for EXACTLY what his specific parts are. Will leave that up to him to comment on.

 

The kit was a polyurethane LSportline kit for a '98-00 and has had a LOT of custom poly work done to make it properly fit his '96.

As mentioned, nowhere close to fitting on a 1st gen, if you could find one that is.

 

Speaking of this kit, I wonder if Dave's old LS400 is still around.

 

I could have sworn it was bought by a friend of his but I can't for the life of me find that thread

EDIT: Found it, was bought by Veritek. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...accolades.html