Mesh Grill Mod for Jeep JK Wrangler 2007 -2011

Grill Modification - Mesh Grill Screen Guard - Columbia Mfg. Pet Grille - YardGuard Plastic Hardware Cloth - M-D Products Door Grille

1. First Grill Mod Using a Pet Grille, Door Protector from Home Depot

I used a Columbia Mfg. Metal Pet Grille for a 30" door. This is a steel mesh grille, that is available from Home Depot or Lowes. Home Depot SKU # 237788.  Not all stores carry this, but they are available online at this time. They are available in Bronze, Grey or White and can be spray painted any color you want. I used Bronze, just as is. It almost looks black when installed.

• Pet Grille Mod Installation
• First remove the Jeep Grill by popping out the 6 plastic fasteners on the top of the grill
• Tilt top of grill forward and unplug both front parking lights
• The bottom of the grill is held in place by metal snaps. Pull grill straight forward at the bottom to unsnap
• Use plastic zip ties and mounts in black, available at Home Depot, Lowes, or hardware stores. The black color zip ties and mounts are rated for indoor/outdoor use, unlike the white or clear, which are only rated for indoor use
• Clean area on grill where you will place the stick on mounts with rubbing alcohol
• The mounts are self-adhesive, but I also used one small drop of Gorilla brand Super Glue on each mount for extra holding power. Leave the sticky backing on each mount and add a drop of glue
• Let mounts dry for a few hours.
• Cut Pet Grille to size and zip tie to mounts
• See finished job below

2. Second Grill Mod using YardGuard Brand, Plastic Hardware Cloth, also from Home Depot. See below

After installing the Pet Grille, I did some more research and found YardGuard brand, Plastic Hardware Cloth in 36" x 15' rolls with 1/2" mesh openings It is available at Home Depot, in the fence post area. I decided to remove the metal Pet Grille and use the plastic Hardware Cloth instead. The Hardware Cloth has square openings that are 1/2" in size and it can be installed in the Jeep Grill so that the squares are vertical/horizontal, or diagonal. I decided to install the mesh with the squares at a diagonal, for a more "factory-like" look. The advantage of plastic, is that it is easy to cut, and will never rust. Some have mentioned that the plastic might melt. I had this installed for a week, and had absolutely no problems. See the finished Jeep below:

3. M-D Building Products, Door Grille. The first two mesh mods work well and look good. I actually liked the first two a lot, but I think this will be the 3rd and final one for me. See below:

           
M-D Products Door Grille in Bronze (looks black)

• Specifications: M-D Part #33381.  Bar Code #043374333817
• All Aluminum - no rust
• It is called Bronze, but it is a VERY dark bronze that actually looks black to me
• No painting necessary unless you want another color besides black
• Perfect size for Jeep JK Wrangler Grill Modification
• Actual mesh size without the frame: 27-1/4" x 19-1/4"
• Note: Cut the mesh very carefully, right at the edge of the 27-1/4" length on each side. After this is cut it JUST fits the backside width of the Jeep grill. If you accidentally cut it too short, then you will need to re-cut 2 separate pieces, one piece for 4 slots, and on piece for the remaining 3 slots in the grill.
• Diamond holes measure approximately 0.25" x 0.50" - perfect hole size for a Jeep Grill
• Hole size will stop many rocks, stones, etc., but will still allow great air flow for cooling
• Diamond shaped holes give it a "factory look"
• One-Piece mounting in the Wrangler Grill with the diamond holes (long shape) horizontal
• Two-Piece mounting in the Wrangler Grill with the diamond holes (long shape) vertical
• Installed with plastic zip ties and tabs, same installation as the first Pet Grille installation above
• May be available from your local Ace Hardware. Also on Amazon
• I purchased it from my local Ace Hardware Store

Finished Jeep photos below.

Having done this grill mod three times, I found that you can use almost any type of plastic, steel, or aluminum mesh that you want. I searched Home Depot, Lowes, and various local hardware stores for mesh and screen/storm door protectors. There are lots of different options out there. Caution: Do not use mesh with holes that are too small. You want to still allow good cooling air flow, and some of the mesh that I have seen will block too much air.