My first mod! Mounted my driving lights

[SilverBullet]

I had a set of PIAA 510's that I bought off a fellow board member with the intent of replacing my fog lights with them, I decided I'd try something different. I really wanted to mount them up inside the grille like the old Mustangs used to have (and the new style GT's). I was just a little afraid of hacking away at my new (to me) Explorer.

Well, today I was shy no more!
(dead link)

I didn't get a chance to wire them up, it got dark on me. It only took me 2 hours to do, including taking the grille off, cutting the grille, mounting the lights, and re-mounting the grille. They came out REALLY nice, and I am very impressed.. I love how they look.

 

[briwayjones]

They look good. Turn them on. I hope it doesn't rain Saturday so I can do mine.

 

[newc5188]

that looks pretty sweet. nice work man

 

[96ExplorerXLT]

thats sweet man! Only 2 hours w/ taking off the grille!?!?!? How do u take it off? Mine has many cracks on it and i have a spare one waiting to get put on but i havent the slightest idea how to get it off.

 

[SilverBullet]

It's really simple. Pop the hood, and right by the hood latch there are two screws (one on each side of latch). Then, lift of the plastic "flap" over the headlights, and you'll see two more. Then you have to unscrew the two screws for each corner light and then remove the corner lights. It's kind of hard to remove the corner lights, you have to press on them from the backside to get them to pop out. Once the corner lights are out, there is one more screw on each side that holds the grille on. After that, there are 4 clips (two are visible once the corner lights are out) that hold the grille. I just gently but forcible tugged on the grille and it came right out. Since you're is getting replaced, you probably don't care if it breaks. The grille is actually very sturdy and solid, it's a pretty thick plastic.

 

[SilverBullet]

The pictures really don't do them justice.. it looks so sweet in person.. I am totally satisfied with this mod.

 

[briwayjones]

Need some day time pics.

 

[2000Sportdriver]

looks like it turnd out awesome.
Now that you have some success under your belt, you will feel more confidant for your next mod !!!!!!!!
Great work.

 

[MONMIX]

man that looks fantastic.
ya gonna show them to us Saturday night at the Maryland Meet & Greet ?

 

[bmxking5]

When I first saw the cut up grille, I thought it'd be ugly. But after I saw them mounted, it looks really good. You did a great job on it, plus your the only/one of the only guys who has done that.

 

[aldive]

A great mod. You should be proud of that.

Do you have pics of the attachment to the grill?

Thanks ....

 

[IAmTodd]

That looks great. I may try and do that with my Daylighters. Hmmm

 

[IAmTodd]

One question, what did you use to cut it with?

 

[Hartman]

Whoa my old lights! Good mod.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

I like it. Good job. You wiring a seperate switch for them?

-Drew

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

silver nice job man

do you got pics of them on I would love to see how they look and anyways keep up the good work bro.

 

[Bill Kemp]

I really like that look. That took some good planning & execution.
Congrads.....

 

[SilverBullet]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the positive comments.

I thought I would wire them up to work with the fogs or highbeams, but the more I thought about it, the more I was leaning towards a separte switch. I bought one the other night, it's a green rocker switch that lights up when the lights are on (should match all the green interior lighting).

Al: I'll get a picture of how they are mounted. Basically, there is a bracket on top of the lights with a bolt going through it.. so I just cut a hole in the grille to slide the bolt through. It is very simple, and the lights don't get in the way of anything.

IAmTodd: I used a dremel tool at first, and then used a small coping saw, and to shape the plastic even more I used a rounded ******* file. It all was very easy I must say, I thought it'd be difficult but it wasn't.

I'll get some more pictures soon for you guys, especially once I get some power to them!

 

[carjohnchen]

It look nice, I like it!!!

Good job, well done.

 

[techieman33]

They look nice, well done.