Relocating DRL / Fog lights to Lower Grille Build

[TRC-SS]

Hey guys i decided to start a thread of my lower grille build as i go. In this thread i will show my progress of attempting to place my DRL's in the lower grille to make way for my T3 ports. Feel free to leave comments!



I started by taking the whole front end off the car. and decided i wanted to put the T3 ports in the bumper. But i also wanted to keep my DRL but not to have them in the ports so i want to try and put them here



Problem we have here, is that the support beam that connects to the car gets in the way and the plastic frame on the bumper as well. shown below


So i started by measuring out the drl and the holes in the bumper, almost a exact fit but will have to trim down an edge lightly and they fit in place.

(This lower bumper grille is a test dummy, i will be getting a new one at the end of the project and cutting it nicely)


here is one set in place


And both in place

[TRC-SS]

Here is problem one. From behind when its all attached to the car the crush support and black frame get into the way. heres where the dremel comes into play. I will be cutting out the outlined portion below. this is where the bracket will attach to






I will be using the T3 Drl Bracket as a template to make a new bracket out of metal this coming up weekend.

I will post more pictures as i go.

Wish me Luck

EDIT------No welding was needed.....crush frame had center metal piece

[SummoneR]

Awesome man I had considered doing the same, but I can't decide what to do with my front bumper right now... :-/ Replace it with the Rideskinz or T3 port it, or ZL1 replacement... Looking forward to the rest of it, good luck!

[TRC-SS]

Originally Posted by SummoneR

Awesome man I had considered doing the same, but I can't decide what to do with my front bumper right now... :-/ Replace it with the Rideskinz or T3 port it, or ZL1 replacement... Looking forward to the rest of it, good luck!

You read my mind exactly. Was condidering all of those but decided on trying somthing of my own. We will see, I hope it works out other wise im out a front bumper

[SummoneR]

Once you get it finished up and the ports installed it's going to look great!
I cant do the ports with my current chin spoiler... so that's why I am considering a whole new bumper style... If I did this I was going to try and fit the stock DRL bezels in there too. as a way to trim them out, or find a ring that is the same diameter of the DRL's to trim it.

[TRC-SS]

Originally Posted by SummoneR

Once you get it finished up and the ports installed it's going to look great!
I cant do the ports with my current chin spoiler... so that's why I am considering a whole new bumper style... If I did this I was going to try and fit the stock DRL bezels in there too. as a way to trim them out, or find a ring that is the same diameter of the DRL's to trim it.

Yea the stock DRL Bezel will require cutting into the bumper it self and then using some filler to blend it in. That was a bit out of my comfort zone, plus i would have to re-paint the bumper.

[SummoneR]

Originally Posted by TRC-SS

Yea the stock DRL Bezel will require cutting into the bumper it self and then using some filler to blend it in. That was a bit out of my comfort zone, plus i would have to re-paint the bumper.

Gotcha good to know. What is the outside diameter of the DRL's?

[TRC-SS]

Originally Posted by SummoneR

Gotcha good to know. What is the outside diameter of the DRL's?

4"

[SummoneR]

Originally Posted by TRC-SS

4"

Thanks, I looked online and found one 4" ring it was a mustang steering wheel chrome ring... Looking for a ABS ring that is small enough to trim it out.

[TRC-SS]

Tackling more of this project today, Should have the custom brackets done and re-welding of the front Crush frame.

Tomorrow T-3 ports

Pictures to follow

[SummoneR]

Originally Posted by TRC-SS

Tackling more of this project today, Should have the custom brackets done and re-welding of the front Crush frame.

Tomorrow T-3 ports

Pictures to follow

[TRC-SS]

Originally Posted by SummoneR

Yea definately wasnt able to do anything this weekend...ill try this week

[SummoneR]

Originally Posted by TRC-SS

Yea definately wasnt able to do anything this weekend...ill try this week

I know the feeling I had a lot of things to get done this weekend but it did not happen...

[TRC-SS]

Ok i was able to get about 2hrs of work in last night and so far everything seems to be coming out great. Alot of trial and error involved but i almost have it done perfect. I think one more solid night and should have a finished product.

Here is what i used, If you go to buy a T3 set from ACS Composite there is an optional Bracket you can buy to house the DRL inside the Port, well i happened to buy that bracket shown below. (this bracket can be bought without buying t3 ports)




From here i decided i would use this as my mounting hardware, what i did was cut off all the unneeded parts, i chopped off the rounded edge and the angled part and came out with this.

I sanded down the edges to match nicely. then did a trial fit onto the fog light.





Then did a test fit in the Spot i made for the DRL, i had to notch out a bit more of the Black plastic shield.



Then this is how im going to connect the bracket to the car. I took a thick peice of diamond plating, cut it down to size and placed it behind the drl bracket. What i did is cut the holes in the diamond place and then enlarged the holes on the diamond plating only to make sure the clips on the DRL had plenty of room to fully seat into the Bracket.