are a god damn pain in the ***!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!

3 hours man...
3 HOURS...

i didnt have a dremel.. so I was using wire cutters to cut the things out.. and a small saw to smooth out...
wasnt working very well..
so I take it over to my friends house and use his table top grinder..
which was also a pain since its shaped to where I cant grind where I needed it too....
long story short..
Save your money and buy one already installed.

dont get me wrong..
it looks great now that its finished...
if I had to do it again I would...
but just warning you guys...
NOT FOR PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE PATIENCE.

Now I have to figure out how to install the lower grill..
any ideas?

 

Tisk tisk....never attempt a job without the proper tools. Normally take 1/2 hour to do.

 

what year is your car? is it an OEM lower grill?

 

2002 x-type sport 3.0

pretty sure its oem..
take a look at my pic on the left

 

I like it and have the same one!!!!!!

 

Glad the better looking 2009MY grille looks better and is much easier to fit

 

I dunno buck... they seem to both be pretty cool looking...
maybe MY mesh grill is one you havent seen before...
because you would be blown AWAY!

 

first off, where are the pictures of the mesh grill? Here is what I know, the 02-03 X-types were not made with the lower mesh grill as an option. I think they are a hair... and I mean a hair, have a larger opening on the bottom part where you would install the lower mesh grill. I remember my 03... we had to cut the plastic pieces away on the bottom to get the grill to fit. On the 05 i have we just slapped the mesh grill right over the black plastic piece. It fit perfect on the 04 and good but, not perfect on the 03. I have seen some people remove the bumper and place the grill behind the bumper and it looks cool but much more work.

 

Rosemont83, lower mesh grill install difficultyon the '02 Sport will depend on where you get the grill from. Definite pain in removing the difusser/grill pieces in there to be able to install the new one. I've got an '02 and got the lower mesh grill from JagXP mainly because of the rubber gasket around the mesh. BUT, the instructions for the mounting hardware didn't match the hardware they sent. I ended up removing as much of the original plastic in there without removing the bumper cover('cause let's face it I'm lazy) using a wire hook to hold the mounting hardware in place and then usingstainless steel screws (don't use their's they rust) to mount it. Once I got going it wasn't too bad. The planningwas the long part. It's been in place for two years now with no problems.

 

dammit.

i already cut the diffuser out.
soo..
Ill try to have someone take off the bumper..
im Lazy..
lol

 

It is very interesting to read how those grilles were installed in so many differentmanner. I had mine installed in less than2 hour. I used a band saw that cost me like few bucks from wallmart to cut the plastic stock grills. as for the lower grilles,I got mine from jaguar xp for it comes with the rubber surround which protects the car paint, Also used the band saw to cut the stock plastic vent grilles with out taking off the front bumber. have to take out the under plastic liner though to get some room for the mounting bolts. had it on for few years and still stand out great.

[IMG]local://upfiles/4346/EEF2444D64B1480188F08CC95EE1F999.jpg[/IMG]

 

rosemont83, you don't have to take the bumper off. you can do it with the bumper cover in place. I didn't even remove the plastic liner just fished around with a wire hook to hold things in place as I mounted it

 

I havent seen a pic of yours so whats the difference between the look of yours and other stainless or black mesh grills?
If it looks anything like them them Im afraid I wont be blown away otherwise I would havefitted one as at least they look better than the vanes, but you still cant beat the perfection of the new 2009MY grille and badge.

 

lol...

buck ur way was too expensive

 

Expensive? 2009MY grilland badge around $200...The stainless steel ones are around $250 over here (UK) (guessing at approx $-£ rates)

 

wth?
I had a quote for $400 from the jaguar dealer here.