2016-2018 RDX Custom Grille - Complete!

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Old May 3, 2021 | 10:51 AM
  #1  
Jeff Baker's Avatar
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2016-2018 RDX Custom Grille - Complete!

Hey all! I recently finished building this 2019+ style grille for a 2017 RDX. It's currently shipping to the vehicle and I'll update with installed pics once I have them! At first it didn't look to be possible as the RDX base grille from this gen is taller than the 3rd gen RDX diamond grille. Luckily, I had the diamond grille from the 3rd gen MDX and it was a near perfect fit. The MDX grille didn't fill the whole space at the top outside corners, so I can so cut from spares and adhere the full diamond into the corners to fill the gap. I'm pretty damn pleased with the result. It took about 2 weeks of careful fitting, cutting, filing, and holding my breath.

1. Base grille from 2016 - 2018 RDX
- Cut out center, filed smooth, covered in gloss black vinyl to match the diamond grille
2. Diamond grille from 2019 MDX
- Cut to fit. Secured with black screws and black glossy JB Weld
3. Emblem Cover and Emblem from 2019 MDX (freakin expensive, emblem was $400 alone from the dealer)


Enjoy:



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Old May 4, 2021 | 07:16 AM
  #2  
Kelsen's Avatar
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That certainly looks very nice. I like it much better than taking the emblem out entirely. Good work!


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Old May 4, 2021 | 11:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Jeff Baker
Hey all! I recently finished building this 2019+ style grille for a 2017 RDX. It's currently shipping to the vehicle and I'll update with installed pics once I have them! At first it didn't look to be possible as the RDX base grille from this gen is taller than the 3rd gen RDX diamond grille. Luckily, I had the diamond grille from the 3rd gen MDX and it was a near perfect fit. The MDX grille didn't fill the whole space at the top outside corners, so I can so cut from spares and adhere the full diamond into the corners to fill the gap. I'm pretty damn pleased with the result. It took about 2 weeks of careful fitting, cutting, filing, and holding my breath.

1. Base grille from 2016 - 2018 RDX
- Cut out center, filed smooth, covered in gloss black vinyl to match the diamond grille
2. Diamond grille from 2019 MDX
- Cut to fit. Secured with black screws and black glossy JB Weld
3. Emblem Cover and Emblem from 2019 MDX (freakin expensive, emblem was $400 alone from the dealer)

Enjoy:

Looks well done, nice job. Can’t wait to see what it looks like installed.

This was the issue I faced with @boss02126 when he built my #DeleteTheBeak grill: The TLX grill was to short for this application. I thought about using the MDX grill but chose to go with a mesh pattern that matches the faux vents for a bit of design consistency.


First 2G RDX to go full #DeleteTheBeak
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Old Nov 15, 2021 | 01:40 PM
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Originally Posted by ThaChadwick
Looks well done, nice job. Can’t wait to see what it looks like installed.

This was the issue I faced with @boss02126 when he built my #DeleteTheBeak grill: The TLX grill was to short for this application. I thought about using the MDX grill but chose to go with a mesh pattern that matches the faux vents for a bit of design consistency.


First 2G RDX to go full #DeleteTheBeak

Does someone make your grille now? I'm having a hard time finding grille options I can purchase.
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Old Nov 15, 2021 | 02:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Larzini
Does someone make your grille now? I'm having a hard time finding grille options I can purchase.
I build them:

https://j2customs.ca/product/j2-cust...2018-acura-rdx
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Old Nov 15, 2021 | 02:09 PM
  #6  
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How much US? Do you have an option with the grille matching the 2017 bottoms like ThaChadwick has?
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Old Nov 15, 2021 | 02:10 PM
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There is a currency selection on the website there. I just do the diamond pattern OEM style.
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Old Mar 18, 2022 | 12:17 AM
  #8  
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Originally Posted by Jeff Baker
Hey all! I recently finished building this 2019+ style grille for a 2017 RDX. It's currently shipping to the vehicle and I'll update with installed pics once I have them! At first it didn't look to be possible as the RDX base grille from this gen is taller than the 3rd gen RDX diamond grille. Luckily, I had the diamond grille from the 3rd gen MDX and it was a near perfect fit. The MDX grille didn't fill the whole space at the top outside corners, so I can so cut from spares and adhere the full diamond into the corners to fill the gap. I'm pretty damn pleased with the result. It took about 2 weeks of careful fitting, cutting, filing, and holding my breath.

1. Base grille from 2016 - 2018 RDX
- Cut out center, filed smooth, covered in gloss black vinyl to match the diamond grille
2. Diamond grille from 2019 MDX
- Cut to fit. Secured with black screws and black glossy JB Weld
3. Emblem Cover and Emblem from 2019 MDX (freakin expensive, emblem was $400 alone from the dealer)


Enjoy:


Hello friend, are there some pictures of how it is already installed? any update? Thank you
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Old Mar 18, 2022 | 09:10 AM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by xaviersuira
Hello friend, are there some pictures of how it is already installed? any update? Thank you


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Old Mar 24, 2022 | 01:23 PM
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I want a custom grille like this for my 2016 MDX! Will this fit?
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Old Apr 18, 2022 | 08:29 AM
  #11  
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Adaptive cruise

Why does make the adaptive cruise not work
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Old Apr 18, 2022 | 08:32 AM
  #12  
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This grill not didn't make works cruise.


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Old Apr 18, 2022 | 10:20 AM
  #13  
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New grill and cruise control

I take what you are saying then is that this grill will not effect my adaptive cruise control? 🤔
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Old Apr 18, 2022 | 03:24 PM
  #14  
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Obviously, on the surface of it, it wouldn't make sense for the grill to affect adaptive cruise control. That said, it is often useful in forums like this to let people know what year model your vehicle is; mine does not even have adaptive cruise control, being 8 years old. I cannot say definitively where the cameras and other sensors are. The grill itself wouldn't have an effect, but if it houses some sensors you would have to move them to the new grill.

My comment above was simply tongue in cheek, riffing on the format of your question, which I suspect was simply missing the word 'this', but made for humorous reading.


RFT!!!
Dave Kelsen
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Old Apr 18, 2022 | 04:43 PM
  #15  
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Custom grill

Yes Dave I did omit the "this". Thanks for replying again. I do have a 2016 with the adaptive cruise. I saw on the web site, for ordering one on line, that they make a generic warning ⚠️ that it might. Thanks again for the info. Might order one!
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Old Apr 21, 2022 | 07:28 AM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by Jeff Baker
This looks sweet!! Perhaps an eventual upgrade to my 2018 it would then match my MDX.
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Old Jul 6, 2022 | 03:55 PM
  #17  
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Does the adaptive cruise control still work fine with this custom grille? I'm planning to order one later this year.
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Old Sep 28, 2022 | 01:07 PM
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I'm reviving an old post here. Great work, Jeff! For background, I've made my own shark mouth grill for my 2005 Acura TL and I am planning to re-do it to include the 2020 RDX diamond pattern grill. One other person has completed this retrofit, so I now have the measurements and know it will work.

I have a 2013 Acura RDX and I've seen the #deletethebeak posts all over Instagram. Personally, I always thought the openings were far too large and the emblems were too small. I love that you were able to make this version work. It looks perfect. I do however have a question, regarding your following comment:
The MDX grille didn't fill the whole space at the top outside corners, so I can so cut from spares and adhere the full diamond into the corners to fill the gap
Is the circled section made up of a spare piece?


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Old Dec 23, 2022 | 04:23 PM
  #19  
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Woops sorry! Didn't see your reply until now.

The big diamond piece above your circled area was the spare part I attached up there (both sides).

Jeff
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Old Dec 28, 2022 | 04:06 PM
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Awesome, thanks for clarifying! If I ever upgrade my 2013 Acura RDX front bumper, this will be on the modification list.
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Old Dec 30, 2022 | 07:16 AM
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Some scammer on Facebook is trying to sell your grills and claim they are OEM lol. I tried messaging him about them and he is just shady shady shady. He also just created his Facebook account like 2 days ago.

His picture is almost identical to yours:




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Old Sep 28, 2023 | 09:05 PM
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2017 rdx

Ho can I order the diamond pentagon grill for my 2017 RDX?
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Old Sep 13, 2024 | 11:20 PM
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Where to purchase

Hello ! I am wanting to change my grill on my 2017 RDX to a full diamond / similar to the 2019+ grill. Can you send me an email or link to where to purchase. Is there a how-to video?
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Old Sep 14, 2024 | 03:37 PM
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Originally Posted by jessiegdz
Hello ! I am wanting to change my grill on my 2017 RDX to a full diamond / similar to the 2019+ grill. Can you send me an email or link to where to purchase. Is there a how-to video?
https://j2customs.ca/product/j2-cust...2018-acura-rdx
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Old Mar 17, 2025 | 07:36 PM
  #25  
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2018 rdx grill

Hello, I would very much like to buy an after market grill on my 2018 rdx
ryansibley986@gmail.com





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Old Jul 31, 2025 | 07:40 PM
  #26  
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Help!!!

Originally Posted by Jeff Baker
Hey all! I recently finished building this 2019+ style grille for a 2017 RDX. It's currently shipping to the vehicle and I'll update with installed pics once I have them! At first it didn't look to be possible as the RDX base grille from this gen is taller than the 3rd gen RDX diamond grille. Luckily, I had the diamond grille from the 3rd gen MDX and it was a near perfect fit. The MDX grille didn't fill the whole space at the top outside corners, so I can so cut from spares and adhere the full diamond into the corners to fill the gap. I'm pretty damn pleased with the result. It took about 2 weeks of careful fitting, cutting, filing, and holding my breath.

1. Base grille from 2016 - 2018 RDX
- Cut out center, filed smooth, covered in gloss black vinyl to match the diamond grille
2. Diamond grille from 2019 MDX
- Cut to fit. Secured with black screws and black glossy JB Weld
3. Emblem Cover and Emblem from 2019 MDX (freakin expensive, emblem was $400 alone from the dealer)


Enjoy:


do you still make these?
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Old Oct 8, 2025 | 10:31 AM
  #27  
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I'm responding on Jeff's behalf, but yes he does.
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Old Oct 8, 2025 | 04:57 PM
  #28  
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Considering wrapped the grill completely to black it out and lose the chrome...
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Old Oct 8, 2025 | 07:35 PM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by wusty23jd
I'm responding on Jeff's behalf, but yes he does.

how do i contact him?
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Old Feb 19, 2026 | 12:42 PM
  #30  
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Smile

Originally Posted by Luis MM
how do i contact him?
Jeff hasn't been making these grills for over two years because he handed the business over to me. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them. I can currently make this design for the TLX, MDX, RDX, and RLX.
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Old Feb 19, 2026 | 12:43 PM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by volodymyrbnd
Jeff hasn't been making these grills for over two years because he handed the business over to me. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them. I can currently make this design for the TLX, MDX, RDX, and RLX.
And all this information is still on j2customs.ca
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Old Feb 19, 2026 | 01:31 PM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by volodymyrbnd
Jeff hasn't been making these grills for over two years because he handed the business over to me. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them. I can currently make this design for the TLX, MDX, RDX, and RLX.
you have Instagram or a page to see your work?
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Old Feb 19, 2026 | 01:35 PM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by Luis MM
you have Instagram or a page to see your work?
Of course. But winter isn't the time for updates, so I haven't posted anything for a couple of months. It's too cold. Plus, the new taxes between Canada and the US have significantly worsened the pricing situation...

instagram

facebook
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