Grillcraft installation - protection from stones

never though of using the zippys as a hinge...I figured I'd use the zippy to "lock" it closed...

I figure the grill blocker will be the Dec-March mod to help get the car up to temp faster...

I'll probably get an obdII bluetooth device and the android app torque and monitor the temps

 

Will your blocker come off, do you have to remove the grille again to dismount it?

 

I believe it's just the zip ties holding it on.

SCH-I535

 

all I have to do to remove is snip the two zip ties.

I reinstalled the grill without the blocker in place. I then mounted the blocker. I was able to fish the zips through the blocker around the grill "louvers" and back through the blocker with ease. Which is why I opted not to wait for the zeus fittings.

 

Ok, simple, easy install. I used the same method on mine, still kicking around some ideas similar to the Zeus fasteners, will check out McMaster Carr and see what they've got.

 

I looked more and more at the Zeus style, and I'm not sure I really want the "female" side of the fastener always visible when not in use...

So i was thinking about making this... basically nothing more than a threaded rod bent with a hook in one end. and lock nut on the other and a compression spring between the nut and the blocker. Black vertical line is the grill block, the angled black lines are the louvers in the grille. Push the nut in, compress the spring and turn 180* and release the hook will rotate and then not grab onto the grille. easy off, easy on... Installing is reverse. push in twist and release..

the downside to this would be that if you don' thave enough tension, the blocker wuold rest on the lower lip of the grill opening...

As seen from the side

saw this
IHS1588 - Hood J Hooks with Spring and Cotter Pin

 

I find that zip ties are virtually invisible from a few feet, black on black. So I see no need to complicate things on my painted plywood grill cover.



I picked up a piece of roadkill off the side of the highway this weekend. It is a black plastic bumper cover from a wreck. It has the perfect curve in the center and I am going to cut it out to match my plywood grill cover and see how it holds up.

 

I carry around a set of cutters, just in case I see a grille block that I like, held on with wire ties.

 

I live in Northern VA and work in DC....would not be the first time something in dc got stolen...lol

just PM me when you are in town...I'll keep an eye out for ya...

 

Haven't been there since '03 and '04, twice a week I got to visit the BMC, don't remember the exit.

 

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I installed my own mesh screening on my 2012 Prius III. I used plastic gutter guard to fit with black plastic ties. I did the same thing on my 2005 Prius, which I just traded in with 108,000 miles. I never had a problem with the AC on the 2005.

 

I installed the top GrillCraft upper grilles on my PiP last month. I found there was nothing to cut away (and thus structurally weaken) if you take your sweet time on a warm Saturday. Just four guide holes to drill.

My Advanced PiP's fog lights prevent use of the GrillCraft lower grille unless one were to cut circular holes for the fog lights in it. I now block the lower area with a light carbon fiber shield in the Winter, compliments to MarcSmith (above in the thread).

Son's reaction: "Dad this car doesn't look like a Prius anymore".

IMHO the GrillCraft silver paint works well with the PiP's front silver accent bar.

 

nice! i'll add this to the list!

 

IMHO the changes appear to be stylistic - certainly the shape & layout of the front bumper "skin" and some of the incidentals like the daytime running lights but not the underlying bones of the car.

I thought about boring out two foglight holes in the GrillCraft mesh but then I decided to avoid the hassle of trying to match the nice GC paint. I even contacted GrillCraft and they wrote back that they aren't planning a PIp Advanced lower grille. Besides, that led me to MarcSmith's carbon fiber Winter airdam idea for the lower opening.

Moreover, the way I (re)mounted my front license plate holder, its lower back hooks wouldn't work now with the GrillCraft. BTW I got that idea here on PChat.

 

Phoenixgreg Thanks for the DIY photos and instructions to install the grille. I just did mine last week it fit perfectly. Working alone I used zip ties to hold the grille in place before marking the holes for drilling.

My car is Blizzard Pearl, and I make the mistake at the last minute, of changing the color to black instead of silver. Unless you know what you're looking at or looking for, you can hardly see any change <sigh> I guess I have to take the bleeding thing out and paint it to make it show up. I thought sure the silver would get lost with the pearl paint, I was wrong. If nothing else it will prevent stone damage to the condenser.

You were correct that the huge multi-plug for the headlights is an absolute bastard to pull apart!

Regards,

ES