Defender Replacement Grill

[ad91on]

After a few less-than-careful off road forays including many the branch being shoved into it, the radiator grill is starting to look, um, less than pristine and I am wondering what you lot have replaced your stock grills with?

I am looking for something to replace the black plastic original from my 2000 model TD5 110 which is a bit sturdier and maybe adds a bit of bling. Any suggestions would be great as well as pictures of what you have done!

Cheers.

[vnx205]

I can't find it on their website, but Terrafirma have a grille that looks pretty impressive.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/1675.jpg

They were one of the firms that generously sponsored last year's AULRO 10th Anniversary gathering.

Accessories and Performance Upgrades for Land Rover Vehicles | Terrafirma - Serious 4x4 Accessories (http://www.terrafirma4x4.com/index.php)

[p38arover]

If you want a grill, you'll need a Series I/II/IIA grille. :angel:

After the IIA, they went to plastic grilles.

http://www.users.on.net/~rik/lr/rgrille.html

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/1684.jpg

[lzdefender]

KBX have a few types. Just ordered the Java black premium for my Sumatra black 90.
I like how the headlights are sunk into the grille/surrounds

Land Rover Defender Upgrades - Defender Front Grille & Lamp Surround Upgrade Kit - Stylish Facelift - Accessories (http://www.kbxupgrades.co.uk/kbx-defender-grille-lamp-surrounds.php)

[ad91on]

If you want a grill, you'll need a Series I/II/IIA grille. :angel:

After the IIA, they went to plastic grilles.

Land-Rover - The Plastic Radiator Grille Saga (http://www.users.on.net/~rik/lr/rgrille.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/1684.jpg

yes i wanted a grill for like, steak, rather than for the radiator :P

Thanks for all the replies, always find help on here thanks!

[Scouse]

APT Fabrications (an AULRO vendor & advertiser) do a stainless grille:

Stainless steel grill (PM671) (http://www.aptfabrications.com.au/defender/product/42-stainless-steel-grill-pm671)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/1679.jpg

[sumosmurf76]

I can't find it on their website, but Terrafirma have a grille that looks pretty impressive.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/1675.jpg

They were one of the firms that generously sponsored last year's AULRO 10th Anniversary gathering.

Accessories and Performance Upgrades for Land Rover Vehicles | Terrafirma - Serious 4x4 Accessories (http://www.terrafirma4x4.com/index.php)

go to this guy.....i got my grill from him
Custom Made Defender Grills - sydney4x4accessories (http://www.sydney4x4accessories.com/85-custom-grills)

[vnx205]

go to this guy.....i got my grill from him
Custom Made Defender Grills - sydney4x4accessories (http://www.sydney4x4accessories.com/85-custom-grills)

Is that the place in Mulgrave? If so, it is the same place.

[Michael2]

or $45 + freight for a stainless one on ebay

Land Rover Defender Black Steel Grill (replace plastic) | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rover-Defender-Black-Steel-Grill-replace-plastic-/110737930030?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item19c87eb72e)

oops, that's the black one, the stainless one is $67

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rover-Defender-Grill-Stainless-Steel-BA3905-/370397318260?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item563d668c74#ht_1431wt_1186

or on special for $52 from Paddocks for a stainless one

http://www.paddockspares.com/pm671-stainless-steel-front-grille-web-exclusive-special-offer.html

... now you've got me looking, I'm thinking I might replace mine, just to give me some space between the highmount winch and the plastic grille.

[sumosmurf76]

Is that the place in Mulgrave? If so, it is the same place.

He is out past Windsor

[Red County]

Made this up after a run in with a rather large tree, ugly but functional. Possibly bling?

http://webmail.bigpond.com/webedge/do/mail/message/document'msgId=INBOXDELIM3754&part=2&l=en-AU&v=bigpond

[Red County]

Think I did it wrong first time, hope this works?

[ad91on]

Can never have too much chequer plate bling!

[rick130]

Make your own out of weldmesh.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=49862&stc=1&d=1344658876


http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=49863&stc=1&d=1344658876

This is two layers of weldemsh, angle iron up the sides for a frame and the weldmesh is hinged at the bottom so that some air conditioning filter media can be sandwiched between the layers to keep seeds/bugs/crap out of the rad and I/C in the bush.
Look at any farm vehicle and they usually have sarlon cloth draped across the front for this reason.

Not my idea or original manufacture, but I've modified it a fair bit to make it better, and it's a lot stronger than the OE plastic ones.

I don't like the punched/laser cut sheet ones as IMO they restrict airflow far too much, which isn't a great idea in this country where the cooling system can be marginal.

Do a simple open/closed area calc on to see ;)

[Michael2]

well, I bought the s/s Britpart one and fitted it today.

several points ;

1 - I like the look of it

2 - On Aus Defenders with A/C it presses against the thermo fan shroud and the bottom screws don't reach enough to bite

3 - You need to drill 2 to 4 holes on your radiator panel for additional screws

4 - It hides the DEFENDER badge under the bonnet

5 - The screw holes on the sides are elongated, but as it indiscernably flexes over the fan shroud, they're still a bit tight, screws go in on a slight angle or you drill out the holes.

For me it's good, as it gives some clearance between the highmount winch and the grille, so I can fit mesh or a wading tarp, which I couldn't before.

Consider the above before choosing to change your plastic grille.