I have the 3 slat chrome Justa grille and need it replaced after rear-ending someone. Instead of going with the same thing, can I swap it out for a black honeycomb grille? I'd need to do the lower grille on the bumper as well to match.

From what I understand that the slated grille was the only one used on first gens (all chrome for Justas, slats in body color for S) unless you got the JCW aero kit.

What do I need to consider in terms of fit?

How difficult is it to modify a first gen aero grille?

Do I need different mounts if I decide to use something different than what I've got now?

If anyone has swapped grilles on their own, I'd love some pointers!

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Do a search for aero grills

The upper grill (on the hood) is a simple bolt on

The middle grill (in the bumper) will require modification of the bumper and the grill unless you have the aero front bumper. I used to run mine that way until I got the aero kit.

 

I just did my 04 MC this past Year and it came out fine. Check out my gallery. I took some HiRes images of my mod. The one thing that I found very useful was a dremel tool and nylon tiewraps. The tiewraps did a very good job of holding the middle grill in position and eliminated some looseness when you drill out your plastic frame for the middle grill tabs (the originals OEM slots are not in the right locations for the aerogrill tabs). Once I got the tabs through my newly cut slots, I wrapped the tab with the tiewrap and pulled them tight with a long nose pliers (see my images). The aerogrill comes with instructions for cutting the outer edge of the middle grill so it fits flush into the middle grill location on your car (you really have to do this...follow the instructions). You will be happy with the finished product!