2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Front Grill ? $#&*%(!

[RedRamer]

My plastic front gill has no tabs left holding it in there. The top screw holders are half busted too! #&%^$*@



Has anyone tried glue or something or know what's the best to hold these back on there.

thanks

 

[JoshPeters]

I used a 2 part epoxy for mine. I work at an dealership with a body shop, so I just used what they called 40/40. I donno if you have a B/S around you that would have it, but it's held up for a year now with no problems.





Josh

 

[y-knot]

Hey RED,

grills realy are not that expensive, why sweat it.

 

[Hohn]

Get a billet replacement... .

 

[krs]

I've used JB Weld to glue washers in place where the holes in the tabs are supposed to be on two grills (4 tabs). They're holding fine and I think that the washers make the things stronger than they were originally.

 

[JoshPeters]

I guess if $275 isn't expensive for you, you can buy a new grill! I'll glue mine for free for the next 10 years.





Josh

 

[Woodenhead]

My buddy worked at the dealer for quite a few years and collected some warranty replacement grills. He's got two and I got one hanging on the wall with Christmas lights in it (in the basement). If I was at home I'd send ya one but I won't be home till Christmas. Sorry. Maybe you can get a cheapee at the wreckers.





Mike

 

[Cooker]

I have an OEM Grille off a 1996 is you are interested. Or you can get an aftermarket grill for under $100.

 

[Oil Burner]

I got my billet inserts from Summit Racing for much less than the cost of a new grill.

-Jason

 

[John]

That's nothin'...



the '99+ Sport grilles are $430. (price as of 2000 sometime).

:--)

 

[LHartman]

Picked up a new aftermarket grill for 35 bucks when mine broke. Looks the same and doesn't rattle like the busted one

 

[Dennis Garrett]

Dozens of them cheap on Ebay, type in dodge ram grill

in the "search". Lots of inserts too.

 

[Utah Willie]

Front Grill

Are we referring to the grill (the hex shaped part) or the outer, chromed frame? My frame and grill have both had tabs snapped off and I have had to use my Ford Repair Wire (AKA: Baling) to hold them somewhat in place. I had attributed the problem to vibration from an out-of-balance right front tire. As for glue... . I ordered some Cool-Chem on line after seeing it used by the Two Guys Garage folks. Haven't used it yet as I foolishly tossed the busted tabs when I did the wire trick. @#$%:{

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

You might try stainless steel carriage bolts in a size like 10-32 and loctite the nuts so you don't have to overtighten them but they will stay (Ny-locks might have enough resistance to initial tightening that they would spin the bolt and damage the face of the grille). Since the steel turbing around the perimeter of the grille on the inside isn't too substantial, I'd use something like 10-32 instead of 1/4" bolts so as to remove a minimum from the tubing.

 

[RedRamer]

Well guys thanks for the ideas, but buying was too expensive up here.

I ended up glueing them all back in reinforced with galvanized 1/4" screening for the end tabs and I also found a great new product that glues this plastics up like for good. It's call J-B Weld,a 2 part glue.

I used a hand held sand blaster to get the paint / oil off the peices and body and it looks like it will hold for a long time.

I'll let you know.

Oh, and the last 2 holders that were still on, well they were hanging by a string too.

 

[John]

JB Weld is great stuff! It's also been around for something like a million years.