Did the new parts come black or did you have to paint them black?Like I said, this thread was super helpful! I took out all 4 of the plastic shield plugs on the bumper to get to the Fog Bezel. It did make it easier as you have to bend it back if you only take out the 3. Thankfully, I had ordered new OEM bezels and grill inserts as I did crack both bezels prying them out.
That being said, the process was so much easier with the tip from this thread than from others. You definitely don't have to take out the full bumper cover to get to these. That would have been far more work!
After having swapped out the fog bezels. That already makes such a difference. What I never liked about the silver inserts is how it changes the focus of the front to the outside of the bumper edge vs the focus on the iconic Jeep O|||||||O 7 slot grill~
Taking the grill out is a little bit of a mind bend... It bends and makes you worry that it could crack. Especially since I did crack both bezels removing. I just took extra time and you can feel each clip disengaging.
I took a couple photos of the grill prior to getting started so that if I had any questions as to the various screws, tabs, clips etc I could reference as I put it back together. I was glad I did, because the very last clips at the base of where the grill mesh went in had me scratching my head. It's not complicated, It was just nice to have a reference.
All the videos I watched made pulling the insert out look a bit easier than mine. Both the light inserts took a bit of force and twisting to pull out. Again, I just took my time and each came out tab at a time until that f'ugly silver was out!!!
As I mentioned, it did take bit of force. A minor battle with one of the tabs and my thumb took a defeat from some stubborn Ohio made plastic!
I was super happy upon getting it all back together and seeing the black accents vs the silver. For a while I had contemplated just getting a Mopar satin grill replacement vs changing out the inserts. But I love the granite paint color and am happy I went this route instead as the accents give it a really nice detail while still keeping the continuous paint match theme to my Jeep.
Getting the grill back in once you have it all back together was a synch. You simply line it all up and gently press in watching that to tabs up top slowly align as each tab click into place. The pin's go back in super easy also.
Man, do I love the look! I really simplifies the front end and gives the Jeep a really classic look while still feeling stock. Ideally, I do want to swap out the bumper to steel... but not yet an expense Im ready to pull the trigger on. This however, was a super inexpensive way to black out the front until Im ready to swap the bumper~
Anyhow - This thread helped me immeasurably. So hoping my additional context may help someone else~
Did you paint them or usI finished getting rid of the silver today. Here is a couple of pics. In my opinion the black looks so much better.
Did you paint or is this new parts?I finished getting rid of the silver today. Here is a couple of pics. In my opinion the black looks so much better.
Thats what I was wondering if there was a reason to paint them since they were already black.
I finished getting rid of the silver today. Here is a couple of pics. In my opinion the black looks so much better.
Looks great. Will be hard to look at all the silver ones from now onThanks for this thread. Did my grill today and updated to the JT inserts
