Gladiator/Rhino Grilles Fiberglass Reproductions

[brielly]

I'm now taking orders for fiberglass reproduction gladiator grilles. These are exact copies from an original gladiator grille.

Please read carefully-

What it is-a repro gladiator grille taken directly from an original. Its made of fiberglass and is finished in primer. It will bolt up just like the real thing. I would call it paint quality as in your not going to add a chrome paint and make it shiny and perfect like an original.

What it isn't-a show piece that will win you a trophy at the next competition. There are minor imperfections since the original was not perfect but in really good shape. There are small spots here and there that need to be sanded flush. This was due to minor imperfections in the mold due to tiny air bubbles. It does look very good strait on and from five feet away looks nearly perfect. A close inspection will of course reveal the imperfections. It would take many many hours to make it perfect to the point where I'd have to charge way more than anyone would want to pay. I suggest finishing it with your favorite color spray paint or whatever strikes your fancy.

I will leave the 5 mounting tabs undrilled so that each customer can adjust where the grille gets mounted. I know on my 82 I had to mount my original gladiator a little lower so the hood wouldn't hit it when closed. I enlarged the mounting holes on the front valence to drop it down but the hood still makes contact with it. The tabs on the repro grille are wide enough to where each customer should be able to drop it down far enough for the hood to clear. Those with older style hoods will not have this problem since the hood is shaped differently. For now I'm not bothering with the top mount. It shouldn't be necessary since there are 5 other mounting points and it would be very difficult to make that part strong enough anyway becaiuse of how it would attach to the grille.

The grille will be $150 by itself, $165 with badge and once I can get some decent pie pans $200 for a whole kit-grille, badge and pie pans. Looking at a few other threads as of recently it looks like there are some cool options for lights to replace the pie pans. Shipping should be pretty reasonable since its fairly light weight.

If you are intrested in a grille please PM me and I'll add you to my list. I'm not going to take deposits just build them and contact you when its done. If you don't have the funds at the moment it goes to the next person in line. Money orders are preferred but paypal is an option as well. Email me at rrielly2@comcast.net with any questions.

http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff365/brielly1/grille004.jpg
http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff365/brielly1/grille002.jpg
http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff365/brielly1/grille006.jpg

[bruner1981jpce]

Thats a cool idea! I may have to get one sometime soon

[COLOFIREMAN]

Couldn't this product work on them?

VIDEO (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3kwkki0bMk)

[brielly]

Any chrome spray paint will work but it will be up to you guys to get it baby arse smooth enough to look good. That would mean some sanding, filler primer, etc. If I were to do this all myself I would have to charge alot more for these things:)

BTW guys that are ordering I am slowly working on these but after June 13th I will really get going on these. I'm pretty busy with work, my boat, the cherokee, etc. at the moment. Once June rolls around work is done, the boat will be in the water and I'll be free to work on the grilles.

[brielly]

Update: The first grille is done! Pie pans are looking good as well. Like the grille, they aren't perfect but definitely look better than most of the stuff Ive seen on ebay. Originally I was not going to do the top mount but after installing the grille on my truck it became necessary. I was able to create a top mount so the grille mounts exactly the same as the original. I'll have some pics to post later today. Included with the kits will be instructions .pdf emailed to the buyer. I have another grille nearing completion so those that ordered will be hearing from me soon.

[brielly]

The top mount installed. All of the mounting hardware can be bought at home depot for a few dollars. The top mount is just a corner brace with an extra hole drilled into it.
http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff365/brielly1/grillemounts001.jpg

http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff365/brielly1/grillemounts003.jpg
A small piece of electrical conduit works well as a spacer.

http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff365/brielly1/grillemounts002.jpg
Threaded insert epoxied into place. You can make studs from 1/4-20 threaded rod or just use bolts. I found the studs made it a little easier to install. I simply slipped my finger behind the grille to get the nuts on.

http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff365/brielly1/rhino1.jpg

[Bill Moore]

Nice Job, best repro Ive seen, gives alot of folks an alternative

[rlars7]

Looking good. PM sent

-Rob

[brielly]

I finally got around to installing my own. I painted the grille and pie pans with silver metalic spray paint to match my trucks paint. I then hand painted the black on the pie pans and finished with matte clear coat.
http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff365/brielly1/rhino.jpg

[FSJ_Daniel]

how did you get the black on there? did you just do alot of taping off or use a brush? i will be doing the same thing as you did in that pic
EDIT:oh wow im stupid nevermind:banghead:

[brielly]

I used a very small artists brush which of course didn't make it perfect but it looks good from 5 feet away. To do it right I could have taped and then with a very sharp exacto blade trimed away the tape where I only wanted one color. That of course would have been very time consuming but probably would have come out much better.

[Achilles]

I received my Rhino and pie plates yesterday. They arrived intact. Really stoked. Will let you know when I get around to test fitting it. Thanks a bunch for a great product. :thumbsup:

[brielly]

Glad to hear UPS didn't break it!

[Dmntxn77]

Can fiberglass handle the heat of powercoating?

[Knuck]

I don't think it would. Way to much out gassing from the fiberglass resin.

[rocklaurence]

Really, it looks great!! I'm sure it could be chromed (its a cold process).

[brielly]

The display options on this page automatically make the thread disappear after 10 days. Hey mods can that be changed? It's hard to sell stuff when no one can see that its being offered for sale. If not i guess I'll have to bump it from time to time. Anyway the grilles are still being made. Its a slow and itchy process and I thank everyone who ordered for their patience.:thumbsup:

[jaber]

The display options on this page automatically make the thread disappear after 10 days. Hey mods can that be changed? It's hard to sell stuff when no one can see that its being offered for sale. If not i guess I'll have to bump it from time to time. Anyway the grilles are still being made. Its a slow and itchy process and I thank everyone who ordered for their patience.:thumbsup:

The pics in my adjuster thread have been there for 3 years, I dont think you have to worry here.

Nice work, I might have to get one when funds permit. :thumbsup:

[brielly]

Maybe its just me but mine only shows the last 7 days. If I didn't know to set it for longer I would have never seen your thread either. Is everyone's set for 7 days? Its weird because on my smart phone I can see all threads in this section.

[j20owner]

It's a setting in the 'Display Options' at the bottom of each section.

[Achilles]

hey brielly how did you get the metal tabs off that held your previous grill on.

[brielly]

You need to cut/grind them off with a grinder then fill and paint. If i can find the file I'll send you the video from when stacey david did this on trucks. He makes it look a it easier than it is but it should help. I'll need your email address again.

[Achilles]

You need to cut/grind them off with a grinder then fill and paint. If i can find the file I'll send you the video from when stacey david did this on trucks. He makes it look a it easier than it is but it should help. I'll need your email address again.

I did not think of that. I have those two videos saved. I will save you some time and I will go an reference them. Thanks for reminding me.

[Bjtgtr]

Just wanted to give this thread a bump and thank Brad again for a quality peice. Great communication and prompt shipping. :thumbsup:

If you want the the Rhino grill and can't find a real one this is the way to go. Thanks Brad:D

[Achilles]

Just wanted to give this thread a bump and thank Brad again for a quality peice. Great communication and prompt shipping. :thumbsup:

If you want the the Rhino grill and can't find a real one this is the way to go. Thanks Brad:D.

:worthless: Substitute thread for post!!!!:D

[mathman]

.

:worthless: Substitute post for thread!!!!:D

:confused: Lots of pictures on page 1 of the thread....

[Achilles]

Ok I fixed it. I wanted to see a picture of Bjtgtr install.

[mathman]

Ok I fixed it. I wanted to see a picture of Bjtgtr install.

Ah - that clears up my confuzzed state... ;)

[gladman]

looks awesome.. any chance of you making a fan shroud for us? I would buy that in a heartbeat for my 327 loaded Jtruck

[Bjtgtr]

I just received mine this past week and have not had a chance to install it yet. Been a bit tied up with selling my house at the moment so waggy work is on hold till next week. I will post pictures as soon as the grill is attached.

[brielly]

Due to a computer crash I lost some info from prospective customers. If you are on my waiting list for a grille please contact me through email or PM. Specifically Mike Daily and Licoln Kai please get in touch with me. Your grilles are done.

[Tinkerjeep]

Those look cool! do you reinforce them to handle bird strikes or various 2-4 legged creatures leaning against them in driveways and breaking them?

I have a couple real grills and the stainless steel (or just polished steel with chrome/nickel plating) are fairly stout. they have gone through some helascious hailstorms as well and are unscathed. How would these compare?

[brielly]

They are reinforced with 2 layers of 6 ounce cloth. How will that hold up to a bird strike? I guess I'll let you know when I hit a bird.:) I can say its a hell of a lot stronger than the plastic inserts on the muscle grille.

[Tinkerjeep]

They are reinforced with 2 layers of 6 ounce cloth. How will that hold up to a bird strike? I guess I'll let you know when I hit a bird.:) I can say its a hell of a lot stronger than the plastic inserts on the muscle grille.

Sounds good... I'm more of a non-plastic guy, though. especially on the exterior. I kinda like the idea of Aluminum replacement Rhino grills, but that wont handle a hailstorm. So I stick with steel. :rolleyes:

If I could figure out a way to replace my markers/turn signals with glass or metal units of the same size or smaller...and not spend an arm on it...I would.

[brielly]

I made about 10 of these over the summer. Right now there is no wait time. I have a full kit in the box ready to go!

[Atla]

These are pretty amazing, but not in the wallet til next year.

Bravo on your fabrication!

[Locked and Loaded]

Looks good. But I think the Rhino fad is about over. :rolleyes:

[Greg Taylor]

This is awesome. How much is the Grille & Pie Plates as a combo? :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[j10jim]

Greg, are you going to try and powder coat one? I have one of his grills in my office. Have not installed it yet, but was thinking powder coat would be great, but not sure it would hold up to the heat from the oven.

[serehill]

Standard chroming is not a solutiuon it takes electrical conduction to work. The spray on crhrome like the video is really cool. These never came in chrome though. the grille is stainless semi piliished & the pie plates are stamped aluminum.

Nice Job brielly. Way too cheap. Check the compitition.



RHINO FAD OVER LMAO Look on Ebay. Love affair has been going on since the 60's world longest fad.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1964-JEEP-GLADIATOR-WAGONEER-J10-J20-GRAND-WAGONEER-RHINO-GRILLE-CHROME-/281033234677?hash=item416ee2d8f5&item=281033234677&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

They have sold for that don't go there.
Look Familair??????????
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jeep-Gladiator-Grille-Rhino-Grille-FSJ-Wagoneer-/271113358144?hash=item3f1f9d8b40&item=271113358144&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

[serehill]

hey brielly how did you get the metal tabs off that held your previous grill on.

Grinder with cutting blade & then flap sand it.

[JeepBountyHunter]

AWESOME! I wanna see one chromed....

[brielly]

This is awesome. How much is the Grille & Pie Plates as a combo? :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Full kit $200 includes grille, emblem, and pie pans. I have one all done and ready to ship if you're interested.