Somewhat Bittersweet Install of RonJon Grille
11-20-2010, 08:18 PM
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Somewhat Bittersweet Install of RonJon Grille
I always wanted a RJ grille for my SHAWD, but had some other vehicle projects that took precedence. But I couldn't pass up a great deal on a used RJ grille (thanks Blackura!!! 
) and installed it today.
The good: this grille really, really transforms the look of the car. I honestly think it should have been factory equipment. Very classy design and looks perfect with the silver housing headlights.
The bad: I just can't get over the fit, especially at the top where it meets the hood. The gap is very noticeable. I looked at the RJ gallery and see that the fit varies for each grille, and it's just most obvious on white. We pushed and adjusted while tightening the bolts, but that's as good as it gets. I can tell it's as far back as it will get because it's lined up with the side pieces. There's no more wiggle room. Am I doing something wrong?
Does anyone have any ideas? Any calls from the governor? I'm really sad because this is the ONE THING I've always wanted for my TL
But it looks like unless I can figure out a miracle, I am going to have the stock beak painted and then try to find a new home for the RJ grille.
) and installed it today.The good: this grille really, really transforms the look of the car. I honestly think it should have been factory equipment. Very classy design and looks perfect with the silver housing headlights.
The bad: I just can't get over the fit, especially at the top where it meets the hood. The gap is very noticeable. I looked at the RJ gallery and see that the fit varies for each grille, and it's just most obvious on white. We pushed and adjusted while tightening the bolts, but that's as good as it gets. I can tell it's as far back as it will get because it's lined up with the side pieces. There's no more wiggle room. Am I doing something wrong?
Does anyone have any ideas? Any calls from the governor? I'm really sad because this is the ONE THING I've always wanted for my TL
But it looks like unless I can figure out a miracle, I am going to have the stock beak painted and then try to find a new home for the RJ grille.
11-20-2010, 08:30 PM
#2
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Damn that sucks. I think this piece may be from one of the first batches that are apparantly the only batches affected by the gap problem (as was said by the dude from Hawaii)
The RJ grill is a nice design, but this is the main reason I never wanted to get an RJ grill. The fitment was never quite stock like on the ones that I have seen, but its not as noticeable on the darker colors like Pete's.
I thin the painted stock grill would have been a better choice. Nothing like being dissatisfied with a purchase..... sorry man.
The RJ grill is a nice design, but this is the main reason I never wanted to get an RJ grill. The fitment was never quite stock like on the ones that I have seen, but its not as noticeable on the darker colors like Pete's.
I thin the painted stock grill would have been a better choice. Nothing like being dissatisfied with a purchase..... sorry man.
11-20-2010, 08:51 PM
#3
It's just one of those things, it is an aftermarket part, so it is expected. i do paint and body work. So I would be able to take that grille and make it fit, but in your situation, it might be best to put the stock grille back on, because you will always look at it when you come out,
11-20-2010, 08:52 PM
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I think this grille looks better than the stock painted grille, which is why I was holding out. I just want the stock fit.
I'm not prepared to try and resell this and then spend another $800 on another one on the hope that it will be better I just can't help but think it's something I did, as it looked better on Blackura's car!
I'm not prepared to try and resell this and then spend another $800 on another one on the hope that it will be better
I just can't help but think it's something I did, as it looked better on Blackura's car!
11-20-2010, 08:55 PM
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It's just one of those things, it is an aftermarket part, so it is expected. i do paint and body work. So I would be able to take that grille and make it fit, but in your situation, it might be best to put the stock grille back on, because you will always look at it when you come out,
11-20-2010, 08:56 PM
#6
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There isnt a way to get that adjustment unless you adjust the hood stops, but then you will have a gap on the sides of teh hood above the headlights.... worth a try though right?
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11-20-2010, 09:10 PM
#8
To make the grille fit, just take down the high spots and then use reinforced body filler on the gaps to fill in the voids , then reinforce it from the backside. All this is done on the car, so that the grille is "fit" perfectly to its surroundings. It is not hard to do, just takes time, it would then need to be repainted.
11-20-2010, 09:13 PM
#10
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To make the grille fit, just take down the high spots and then use reinforced body filler on the gaps to fill in the voids , then reinforce it from the backside. All this is done on the car, so that the grille is "fit" perfectly to its surroundings. It is not hard to do, just takes time, it would then need to be repainted.
11-20-2010, 09:15 PM
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New, it's $800 painted. But is that really surprising when you think about it? I mean, it's a completely NEW structure and shape that's researched, manufactured, painted, and shipped. Not to mention not many of them around, so you're not benefitting from the economies of scale. Working in a body shop, you shouldn't be shocked by the cost of anything pertaining to this stuff 
Not in the days when having a bumper painted is in the neighborhood of $500 and higher.
I paid $450 shipped.
Not in the days when having a bumper painted is in the neighborhood of $500 and higher.I paid $450 shipped.
11-20-2010, 09:16 PM
#12
I'm still getting over the price, anyways I know the work involved in a special type of grille like this (R&D) (materials to make), so I respect that, however for a price like that, it should fit, correct.
11-20-2010, 09:30 PM
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I'm going to give it another go tomorrow, see if I can push it up any further.
I still really love the grille, I think it looks incredible on these cars. I just want it to be a perfect fit because the design is perfect for the car!
I still really love the grille, I think it looks incredible on these cars. I just want it to be a perfect fit because the design is perfect for the car!
11-20-2010, 09:32 PM
#16
If all else fails, try a hair blower to try and flex the grille. I wouldn't use a heat gun if your inexperienced.
11-20-2010, 09:41 PM
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Not until tonight, Blackura provided some useful advice! I will be heading back out to the garage tomorrow
Always get useful information on the 'zine!
Always get useful information on the 'zine!
11-20-2010, 09:43 PM
#19
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I think there were some threads around here that give the details on how to get the grill to fit better. Something about making the holes bigger for more wiggle room, and also about removing some material from the back as needed. I saw that grill in person on Blackura's ride, and I remember the gap being bigger because he didn't have the engine covers with the rubber seals under the hood, but still didn't seem as big as other photos you have.
I still don't think that his gap was as big as what you show in the photos, so I'm guessing there is still some working you can do to get it to fit better. I can't give you any specifics on the install, as I had mine done professionally. But I think that as long as they can get the gaps to even up, that will probably look the best. I'm sure they can also do some other stuff to make it fit better also, different adjustments and such.
Honestly, I don't think that looks bad at all. A little more adjustment, and I'm sure it will fit better. Good Luck.
Yea - he's got all the info on how he installed it, I'm sure you'll get it much better than what you have now.
I still don't think that his gap was as big as what you show in the photos, so I'm guessing there is still some working you can do to get it to fit better. I can't give you any specifics on the install, as I had mine done professionally. But I think that as long as they can get the gaps to even up, that will probably look the best. I'm sure they can also do some other stuff to make it fit better also, different adjustments and such.
Honestly, I don't think that looks bad at all. A little more adjustment, and I'm sure it will fit better. Good Luck.
Yea - he's got all the info on how he installed it, I'm sure you'll get it much better than what you have now.
11-20-2010, 09:55 PM
#20
an adult perspective
Considering I've seen maybe all of 1 application where the grill actually looks like it fits ...
RonJon does some good work (was one of the first ((if not the first)) to purchase his Servos for my CL), but this piece just doesn't fit. No two ways about it. Too bad you didn't take a long hard look at the pictures when installed on Blackura's car. Hope you can do something with it too make it look like it should.
RonJon does some good work (was one of the first ((if not the first)) to purchase his Servos for my CL), but this piece just doesn't fit. No two ways about it. Too bad you didn't take a long hard look at the pictures when installed on Blackura's car. Hope you can do something with it too make it look like it should.
11-20-2010, 11:52 PM
#22
Just saw this thread now--
I would def try the things i recommended... also, alot of people did widen the holes for the 4 bolts on top, so you can push it back even further...
when me and my buddy installed, it took about 3-4 attempts to align, but there was still a gap.. and i was little bitter at first, but after a while, it just became normal to me
The weather stripping is a big win too... some people took the stripping off the OEM grille, and put in the RJ grille...
widening the holes will definitely fix it... also, where the grille meets the bumper, its important to get them as flush as possible (still should be a little variance though)
Good luck!
I would def try the things i recommended... also, alot of people did widen the holes for the 4 bolts on top, so you can push it back even further...
when me and my buddy installed, it took about 3-4 attempts to align, but there was still a gap.. and i was little bitter at first, but after a while, it just became normal to me
The weather stripping is a big win too... some people took the stripping off the OEM grille, and put in the RJ grille...
widening the holes will definitely fix it... also, where the grille meets the bumper, its important to get them as flush as possible (still should be a little variance though)
Good luck!
11-20-2010, 11:57 PM
#23
a few days after i installed it, i went up to Ron's place, and we adjusted it some more as well...
here are some pics from our attempt at aligning it
definitely just need to realign and keep trying to you'll get it better.. wish i could lend a hand!
this black one appears to have the weather stripping installed under the grille.. not sure if he DIY'ed or had it professionally installed
here are some pics from our attempt at aligning it
definitely just need to realign and keep trying to you'll get it better.. wish i could lend a hand!
this black one appears to have the weather stripping installed under the grille.. not sure if he DIY'ed or had it professionally installed
Last edited by BLACKURA_NY; 11-20-2010 at 11:59 PM.
11-22-2010, 06:38 AM
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I didn't get back out to the garage yesterday. Saturday was a modfest with also installing OEM nav in my Tundra, so I was just tooled out, lol. 
Had to catch up on other stuff around the house.
I will mess with it this weekend. It has to go in for an oil change and rattle repair this Wednesday, so hopefully I'll get it back in time.
Had to catch up on other stuff around the house. I will mess with it this weekend. It has to go in for an oil change and rattle repair this Wednesday, so hopefully I'll get it back in time.
11-22-2010, 11:55 AM
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Can't wait to see your pics. I am calling the dealer today for a quote on painting, just to see what it will run me.
11-22-2010, 04:19 PM
#31
typically around $250 they charge.
Be careful, if they don't do it right, it will chip.
I got the paint today and it cost me $40 for just 4oz of basecoat, holy moly basque red pearl is expensive!
Be careful, if they don't do it right, it will chip.
I got the paint today and it cost me $40 for just 4oz of basecoat, holy moly basque red pearl is expensive!
11-23-2010, 08:27 AM
#32
That was one of the first grilles we had, the Gen 1 if you will. We addressed the problems since then with 2mm larger holes and we builtm a Jig to use as a template before finalizing the QC on the grilles being shipped out. You can already tell, all TLs are not the same, so the same grille will fit two different TLs slightly different. If you make the 4 main holes larger, you will be able to tighten the bolts where it is gapped fine, then shift the area around the other holes until the gap is consistent and tighten to achieve an even spacing. As of now, there probably isn't enough platy to wiggle the grille to the same gap all around. If the middle of the grille is sunken in on your car (appears fine on blackuras, but then again, all Tl's are slightly different), use some washers under the area that needs to be higher, looks like the two primary holes closest to the center would need a washer or two as spacers to level out the height in relation with the hood.
Also, use the weather stripping from the OEM grille around the headlights and between the hood / grille, that will help alot in making the whole thing tighter.
Also, use the weather stripping from the OEM grille around the headlights and between the hood / grille, that will help alot in making the whole thing tighter.
Last edited by rondog; 11-23-2010 at 08:34 AM.
11-24-2010, 07:20 AM
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Well I will not be able to try it again this weekend most likely, the dealership will have to order the seatbeat assembly and Honda parts is closed on Friday
But, as soon as I pulled into the service bay, the advisor immediately commented on how much nicer the RJ grille was compared to stock!
In the meantime I am driving a ZDX again. I love this quirky thing
But, as soon as I pulled into the service bay, the advisor immediately commented on how much nicer the RJ grille was compared to stock!
In the meantime I am driving a ZDX again. I love this quirky thing
11-24-2010, 12:12 PM
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Is there a way to paint your grill to guarantee no paint chips? Or are you better off using vinyl?
11-26-2010, 04:23 PM
#37
Just to get this straight you're saying to paint match it should cost around $250? I like both ideas so if paint matching is cheaper I might just do that. Thanks in advance for any clarification.
11-26-2010, 06:19 PM
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02-01-2011, 02:48 PM
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I am working a deal to trade in my current TL, so this grille may be for sale after this evening. Please let me know if you are interested!
I never did expand the holes (yes, I am lazy lol) so this will be something the next owner can experiment with per RonJon's instructions!
I never did expand the holes (yes, I am lazy lol) so this will be something the next owner can experiment with per RonJon's instructions!