Rhino grill conversion

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Driftwood
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Location: 'gon

Rhino grill conversion

Post by Driftwood »

Below is my 79 with its factory Pig nose. All of the following pics speak for themselves showing the Rhino grill and valance conversion process.

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Here's the Rhino valance and all necessary parts I found in a junk yard on a J3000 Gladiator.

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Here's the Hood and Rhino Grill in the bed of the J3000.

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My 79 pig nose and valance being removed.

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Here's the J3000 Gladiator valance and grill ready to be installed onto my 79 to check for fit.

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Loosely installed. The hood still needs swapped out.

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Last edited by Driftwood on Sun Dec 24, 2017 2:55 am, edited 3 times in total.
1979 Wagoneer

J10blue
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Re: Rhino grill swap

Post by J10blue »

Nice find!


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Driftwood
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Re: Rhino grill swap

Post by Driftwood »

Decided to put it all back together today for a run to Sonic. I'll eventually strip the Pie Tins or install 5" lights in their place. The Valance will eventually be stripped, primed, and painted. I have the hood from the J3000. That will be installed soon as well.

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1979 Wagoneer

ArchitectJS
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Re: Rhino grill swap

Post by ArchitectJS »

I see you bent the corners of the rear valance, nearest the radiator opening. Was this for access to nthe bolt head?

I just got my bumper off and only have the bolts across the bottom to remove...
1982 Cherokee, base (Bumppo)
AMC 258 / A727 - AMC 20 / NP208
Holley Sniper with Hyperspark
3" Rough County Lift
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Topic author
Driftwood
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Location: 'gon

Re: Rhino grill swap

Post by Driftwood »

Yes. I took a long punch and hammer and bent the two corners up from below. This gave me better access to remove the valance bolts on either side of the radiator. I did not reinstall those two bolts.

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Shep 762
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Re: Rhino grill swap

Post by Shep 762 »

What a pain in the ass those bolts are, I just took mine out yesterday and they're not going back in either.

By the way what mirrors do you have? I like them. It looks like something I can actually see the through!
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Driftwood
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Re: Rhino grill swap

Post by Driftwood »

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Last edited by Driftwood on Fri Apr 01, 2016 10:12 am, edited 1 time in total.
1979 Wagoneer
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Driftwood
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Re: Rhino grill swap

Post by Driftwood »

Shep 762 wrote:What a pain in the ass those bolts are, I just took mine out yesterday and they're not going back in either.
I had to line up the holes with a screwdriver just to get the bolts started.....
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Driftwood
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Re: Rhino grill swap

Post by Driftwood »

Shep 762 wrote:By the way what mirrors do you have? I like them. It looks like something I can actually see the through!
CIPA 47500, JR. West Coast Mirror and Bracket
http://www.amazon.com/CIPA-47500-Coast- ... B00029WSZ4

IFSJA write up
http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=174433

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ArchitectJS
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Re: Rhino grill swap

Post by ArchitectJS »

I want your pie pans when you switch to lights. PM me when you're ready...
1982 Cherokee, base (Bumppo)
AMC 258 / A727 - AMC 20 / NP208
Holley Sniper with Hyperspark
3" Rough County Lift
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Driftwood
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Location: 'gon

Re: Rhino grill swap

Post by Driftwood »

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Stuka
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Re: Rhino grill swap

Post by Stuka »

Looking really nice! The correct hood also makes a big difference, as it fits the grill more.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
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Driftwood
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Re: Rhino grill swap

Post by Driftwood »

I have the hood from the truck. But the latch system is different. And it needs to be painted firecracker red.
Stuka wrote:Looking really nice! The correct hood also makes a big difference, as it fits the grill more.
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az chip
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Re: Rhino grill swap

Post by az chip »

Nice job on the conversion.
'81 Cherokee Chief 81 WT Chief/MSD 6/Holley Sniper/ Rusty 4" Spring lift/ Bulltear oil adapter/K&P Engineering Oil Filter/ NP 208/ Serehill Light Harness/KC LED Headlights/ Evil Twin Fab Roof Rack and sliders/ Ross mirror mounts.

Tindjin
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Re: Rhino grill conversion

Post by Tindjin »

Gah! Wish the pictures were still available.
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Driftwood
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Re: Rhino grill conversion

Post by Driftwood »

I can still see the pictures.
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Hobart
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Re: Rhino grill conversion

Post by Hobart »

May be a permission issue, I don't see them either. But your profile pic is bad-ass!

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Bill

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1959 Bel Air
1968 Nova
1972 Eldo ragtop
1980 Z28
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brielly
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Re: Rhino grill conversion

Post by brielly »

Looks great! Are you going to paint the black portion of the pie pans?
82 Cherokee 258 w/ mopar fuel injection, ax-15
Fiberglass Rhino Grille reproductions for sale. See my post in the vendors section or contact me rrielly@verizon.net
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Driftwood
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Re: Rhino grill conversion

Post by Driftwood »

brielly wrote: Sat Sep 05, 2020 4:19 am Looks great! Are you going to paint the black portion of the pie pans?
No. I like them stripped.
1979 Wagoneer
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