DIY Network

Mesh Grills Upgrade: Bumper Removal and Grill Install Civic Grill and Lights Upgrade, Part 1 of 4 From "Tricked Out" episode DTRK-304

In this project, Tricked Out host Andrew Totolos adds some visual punch to a Honda Civic by filling in the aftermarket body-kit holes with custom mesh grills and upgrading the lights. He adds some flavor to the grill treatment with a custom electroluminescent (EL) logo design, and completes the exterior treatment with new driving lights and high-tech LED taillights.

In this first segment, introduces the project car--a 2000 Honda Civic SI--and begins the project by removing the front bumper cover and installing aluminum mesh to the vent grilles.

The project car. . .

2000 Honda Civic SI

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	Before the upgrades
	The new driving lights
	The new grill, after the custom EL logo design has been added

Materials for Complete Project

In addition to standard auto-mechanic's tools (wrenches, ratchets, extenders, screwdrivers, nut-drivers, cordless drill with screwdriver attachment, torque wrench, etc.), tools and materials used in this episode include:

aluminum mesh
aviation snips
degreaser and clean rags
alcohol and clean rags
silicone glue
driving lights
spray paint
EL wire
template of desired logo
scissors
tape
high-gloss black spray paint
electrical tape
wire ties
various electrical supplies: fuse taps, eyelet connectors, etc.
cordless drill
block of scrap wood
plug-and-play harness
wire loom
LED tail lights
upgraded bulbs
work gloves

Important: Included in this summary are the steps in this automotive procedure as shown in the episode. These steps are general guidelines that are applicable to most vehicles. With any particular car or truck, there may be procedures, specifications, settings, tolerances, components, etc. that are specific to that vehicle. There are also variations according to the type and brand of upgrade-kit you select. Always consult your vehicle's service manual when undertaking significant automotive repairs, and read and follow the manufacturer's directions and precautions that come with your kit or replacement parts.

Safety Alert: As a standard safety precaution, always disconnect the vehicle's negative battery cable before you begin work on any electrical or mechanical components.

DIY Difficulty Rating for This Project: We gave this a difficulty rating of 3 on a 5-point intermediate-level scale. There's some drilling and a small amount of electrical wiring involved, but if you're comfortable with that you should have no problem.

The Project Car: 2000 Honda Civic SI

This Civic SI has already seen some impressive mods including carbon-fiber hood, projector-beam headlights, 18" rims and "electron blue" paint. A custom body kit and shaved door handles round out the sleek look, but the open grills of the aftermarket body kit leave it looking a little unfinished.

Under the hood, cold-air intake feeds the factory intake through a 1" throttle-body spacer, and a 4-to-1 header pushes spent gasses through the titanium exhaust.

The interior features sports seats and harnesses as well as a custom chrome shift knob and upgraded steering wheel. The rear seats have been removed to make room for the custom air-ride system. The stereo system features upgraded amp and sub enclosure and carbon-fiber dash accent surrounding the in-dash tuner/ preamp.

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