Looking for ideas for custom DIY grills for M1078

[SteelCaesar]

My agency’s M1078 is in need of a grill but don’t want to spend a whole bunch of money. We have several talented mechanics that have metal fab skills so I was hoping to find some inspiration on here for a custom grill. So if you have pictures of your custom grills let’s see em.

 

[coachgeo]

Only one person has done a custom grill and he sells them. Believe custom is available too. See his ad in the classifieds.

 

[SteelCaesar]

Really there’s got to be some more people out there who have made their own custom made grills. I saw the guy in the classifieds and his are nice but i want one that we made. I guess I will have to find some inspiration somewhere else.


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[coachgeo]

for ideas search net for " Steyr Excap "

 

[tobyS]

Flattened expanded metal maybe. Sorry, not 1078.

 

[Ronmar]

Got all kinds of ideas, just none that I can easily share as they are still in my head

 

[SteelCaesar]

I was thinking some flat plate with cut outs with expanded steel behind them. Just wanted to see what others have used and problems they encountered with this kind of project. Would think 1/8” thick plate be sturdy enough so it wouldn’t flap around if I used the factory mounting points?


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[Ronmar]

I am think 1/8” would be extreme overkill... The problem you will run into with 1/8 Plate is bending it to cleanly match the curvature of the front of the cab...

I was planning on no thicker than 16ga. I will cut ribs to match the cab curve with a plas, weld them together in a grid/frame and then I can form the skin over those curved ribs. I was thinking slats behind the openings or some patterned expanded sheet. I have a whole sheet of 18ga with 1/2” holes, but that might look a little strange for backing.