Custom grille

[choo_31]

Decided to make a custom grille for the RAM. Ran across some pics of someone else doing the same and knew I had to do it at some point (don’t remember where I saw the initial post).

Anyways ordered some metal from custom car grills and decided to give it a try.

So, basically the Ram grille has 3 parts:
Frame- no mods needed
Middle piece with the RAM logo and all the lines. You basically just cut out all the plastic parts holding in that main piece then you are left with the plastic outline that goes into that outside surround. Everything is held in with clips. So I just trimmed out the metal grille to fit the outside frame with about 1/4 more metal. The hardest part was the rectangle pieces that come out from each side of the grille. With that small plastic of the outside of the grille (color or chrome piece) there isn’t much play.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Nice. I like it.

 

[31RamIt]

This looks good and I might copy it.... What shape mesh design is that?

 

[choo_31]

This looks good and I might copy it.... What shape mesh design is that?

Perforated GT aluminum. 16 x 48 sheet in gloss black is what I used.

 

[31RamIt]

Thank you. I like the pattern.

 

[choo_31]

Adding a couple more pics of the grille taken apart. On the outside piece, you can see the clips that hold the black plastic frame in. Once you cutout all the horizontal lines, the metal needs to be trimmed to fit just inside the clips. Then the outside chrome or color piece clips back into the black plastic frame and the new metal piece is held into place between the 2 with all the factory clips, no glue needed.

Best part, the metal sheet costs less than 100 shipped to do this mod!

 

[Bpebler]

Nice write up & sweet looking truck man. I’ve been trying to figure how to do something similar while retaining the front camera somehow.

 

[OCD Solutions]

I really like what you did there and I bet that pattern loosk even better in person. Any thoughts about adding backlit RAM letters or do you think it will clutter it up too much?

I've installed billet grills in all my trucks since the 90's but haven't found any options for the Limited models. What is offered seems geared towards aggressive offroad looks where I like subtle, clean and simple.

 

[choo_31]

Nice write up & sweet looking truck man. I’ve been trying to figure how to do something similar while retaining the front camera somehow.

Yeah, the camera would add some difficulty, but I’m sure it could be done. Maybe a different metal pattern that has slightly bigger openings so the camera would blend in more. Not really sure how the camera mounts on the front grille, but I think it’s just under the Ram letters centered up?

 

[choo_31]

I really like what you did there and I bet that pattern loosk even better in person. Any thoughts about adding backlit RAM letters or do you think it will clutter it up too much?

I've installed billet grills in all my trucks since the 90's but haven't found any options for the Limited models. What is offered seems geared towards aggressive offroad looks where I like subtle, clean and simple.

It’s really hard to get pics to show the detail on the grille for sure!

I go back and forth on the letters and lighting. The company I got the metal from also makes custom lettering and designs that look pretty sweet, but I really like the clean and simple look with how it is now.

Tried to get some better pics of the details, but I’m no professional photographer lol

 

[Bpebler]

I like the clean look without letters, personally. Very sleek. Been trying to figure how to do something similar & deleting the Ram logo. I really like what you’ve done with the white paint matching as well.

You’re right, the camera mounts just under the “A”. I’ve ordered mesh for my old Jeep from the same website as Choo - they have a lot of cool options!

 

[bikemancs]

It’s really hard to get pics to show the detail on the grille for sure!

I go back and forth on the letters and lighting. The company I got the metal from also makes custom lettering and designs that look pretty sweet, but I really like the clean and simple look with how it is now.

Tried to get some better pics of the details, but I’m no professional photographer lol

Turn the truck around and take pictures with the sun shining on the grill. Your camera is having issues with the sun behind the truck and facing towards it.

 

[SKT Customs]

That looks awesome! I’m interested to see what it looks like with the sun hitting it head on, I’m curious how much you can see behind the grille

 

[CaliRebel]

Looks amazing! Great work my man!

 

[choo_31]

That looks awesome! I’m interested to see what it looks like with the sun hitting it head on, I’m curious how much you can see behind the grille

Weather hasn’t been cooperating lately, but will try to get some pics with the front end facing the sun this time. With everything behind the grille really black nothing really stands out, but it’s still just enough to catch a few details behind the grille, which I kind of like.
Weather looks decent this weekend so will update here soon!

 

[choo_31]

Here are some pics with the grille facing direct sunlight.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Looks great. Good job.

 

[Hawkshot99]

I built a grill from them for my old tacoma, then placed 2 7" spot lights behind it.
Really like the look you have.

 

[SKT Customs]

Here are some pics with the grille facing direct sunlight.

Nice! That looks sick! I also love your painted headlights and tow hooks! I’m jealous!

 

[choo_31]

Thanks everyone!

Some of you may be interested in this, but the guy that owns custom car grilles was super helpful when talking to him about making the grille. He’s designed a pre-cut piece that will now for the Ram grilles for 2019+ making this install even easier with cutting the mesh the exact size needed.

Check out the link here:

2019 - 2024 Dodge Ram 1500 Mesh Grille Piece by customcargrills

Perforated mesh grille piece for the 2019-2024 Ram 1500. This sleek gloss black Perf GT mesh grille installs inside of the factory grill with minimal modifications.

www.customcargrills.com

He also has a really nice walk through video of the install process.

I have no affiliation with Matt from custom car grilles, just a really cool guy to work with and this takes out the most time consuming part of this install!