XJ-5 Grille Build

[FlexdXJ]

Not my Cup of tea but it looks like you have some nice handywork!

 

[winkosmosis]

I think this is going to look great. I've thought about this but I don't have the skills

 

[jts93xj]

this is why i love this forum. you guys do things i never thought would've worked, and make it look easy! outstanding ingenuity

 

[vincepru]

I dig Cruzin's rig, and this one as well. Were it me, I'd prefer a bit larger light, or maybe try to mount it lower in the panel, and maybe an inboard fog like a KJ (which I believe is what the headlights are from).

I enjoy these kinds of threads, even if it's not what I'd do. Always interesting to see what guys come up with, and how they pull it off.

imho that looks like complete shit. the detours xj is my favorite one of all though, cruizins coming in a close second

 

[licorice noose]

I dig Cruzin's rig, and this one as well. Were it me, I'd prefer a bit larger light, or maybe try to mount it lower in the panel, and maybe an inboard fog like a KJ (which I believe is what the headlights are from).

I enjoy these kinds of threads, even if it's not what I'd do. Always interesting to see what guys come up with, and how they pull it off.

I think this one looks weird because the headlights are so small. I think the larger, more "bug eye" looking headlights im running will give it a little bit more of a classic (albeit strange) look.

Got the other side made. looks like the actual grille is next (or maybe i should just leave it for max airflow :confused1). i still have some work to do on the header panel itself (was almost in 2 pieces when i got it). hopefully it'll all come together.

 

[Johnnie Walker]

The jeep with the dog in it looks like a bastard child of a Jeep and a mk1/2 VW with the round euro lights

 

[xjtrailrider]

I like Mark's best and Cruisin's second best as well. The stock black XJ with the bug eyes looks retarded.

I think XK headlights look the best of any headlight conversion out there though.

 

[jeeperjohn]

I like where this is going. I want to do something similar with mine at some point. With mine I plan to do round headlights, LED markers and turn signals, and a perforated steel grill. Very utilitarian but I think it will come off nicely.

 

[RadioShackSpecial]

The blue bug eye one is not even street legal, no forward facing turn signals. Needs to have an amber turn signal up front, fog light does not count.

 

[licorice noose]

Didn't get anything notable done today. I tried cutting out the center section for the grille but it looked terrible. gonna have to do a bunch of thinner pieces and stick them together so they curve. I thought about another grille design involving perforated metal like what was mentioned above. i think it could look alright if done correctly. still looking for input on the whole thing.

 

[srmitchell]

I like the middle one.

It's very unique on an xj.

 

[Ronbo]

I always thought this was cool.

 

[JpigXJ]

looks like the new clip is coming together nicely. Given the three options i would definatlly work out something like the second one. maybe close out the loops above the lights. like this

 

[Xtreme XJ]

I too have thought that if made correctly the round lights would be cool... Cruzin's came out nice...
I'm not feeling the dark one sport'n the dog is that attractive... and I think your's is looking cool at this point... I'm wondering if the flush mounting will give it that "bug eyed" look in comparison to the gold XJ above where they're recessed.

Curt

 

[srmitchell]

I dig Cruzin's rig, and this one as well. Were it me, I'd prefer a bit larger light, or maybe try to mount it lower in the panel, and maybe an inboard fog like a KJ (which I believe is what the headlights are from).

I enjoy these kinds of threads, even if it's not what I'd do. Always interesting to see what guys come up with, and how they pull it off.

The problem I see with this one is that the grill and lights are smooth with the bezel. It looks weird. And also, the lights need to be way bigger, and lower like you're doing.

 

[winkosmosis]

The problem I see with this one is that the grill and lights are smooth with the bezel. It looks weird. And also, the lights need to be way bigger, and lower like you're doing.

I don't think the lights need to be bigger at all. How would they even fit if they were bigger? And where are you gonna get a bigger standard size round headlight?

The problem is the lack of turn signals makes it look weird

 

[srmitchell]

Yeah, I guess you're right.

I think it looks bad because the buckets are mounted on a curve. In addition to the lack of a normal grill.

 

[licorice noose]

I don't think the lights need to be bigger at all. How would they even fit if they were bigger? And where are you gonna get a bigger standard size round headlight?

The problem is the lack of turn signals makes it look weird

Yeah, I guess you're right.

I think it looks bad because the buckets are mounted on a curve. In addition to the lack of a normal grill.

It looks to me like he might have used TJ light buckets. They seem a bit odd to me because they don't look like 7" headlights. His looks more modern inspired while mine looks like it's trying too hard to be an old(er) man. :yap:

 

[licorice noose]

Got a lot done today.

Permanently affixing the the headlight pieces:

All sanded:

First coat of filler sanded:

How she looks:

test fit:

So far i'm pretty happy with how its coming along. I've heard that it looks like both a scout and a bronco front end. Still undecided on the grille.

 

[winkosmosis]

Wait so the original grill doesn't fit?


I say you stick with 7 slots