The Jeep Wrangler is one of those vehicles that owners love to customize. You can get all kinds of lift kits, chunky tires, and lighting packages to make your rig your own. You can even get all kinds of grille treatments with angry eyes or teeth to make it more vicious. Or, for whatever reason, you could buy this rather awkward grille that makes your Wrangler look like the back of an old TV set.
The grille in question is the product of Chelsea Truck Company, an aftermarket manufacturer based in London. As a British outfit, the company has a wide range of products for vehicles like the Land Rover Defender, Ineos Grenadier, and even the Mercedes G-Wagen. Now, though, it’s turning its gaze across the Atlantic to produce parts for the JL Jeep Wrangler.
The result is this—the “Heritage Lattice Grille.” It’s sure to guarantee your Wrangler looks like absolutely nothing else out there.
In the company’s own words, the Heritage Lattice Grille is “a bold reinterpretation of the Wrangler’s signature front end.” The manufacturer is well aware of just how unique this look really is. “No manufacturer, not even Jeep themselves, has ventured to evolve the front fascia with such a sophisticated, design-driven approach,” notes the press release.
I might venture a delicate, if harsh, word on the matter. There’s a reason nobody has made a Wrangler grille like this before.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I get where the designer is coming from. As the provided images show, the look is directly inspired by the barebones lattice grille that was such a striking design feature on the very first Land Rovers. Chelsea Truck Company have, to their credit, found a way to port this look to more recent models from the British automaker, with moderate levels of success.
The problem is that they’ve completely missed the mark when it came to the Wrangler version. You’re not getting a simple metal mesh that looks fit for the untrodden paths of your nearest jungle. You’re getting a hunk of what looks like black plastic peppered with square holes, along with a pair of goofy headlight cutouts that can’t decide whether they want to be round or not. If you told me this grille was made out of discarded 90s home appliances, I’d wholeheartedly believe you. It looks like it should be caked in dust at the back of a hi-fi cabinet, not stuck on the front of a Wrangler.
The company also notes there are further possibilities, too. “The distinctive lattice design also offers excellent potential for personalisation, customers can easily apply painted letters or numbers to the grille surface, allowing for a unique, vintage-inspired look tailored to individual style,” reads the press release. They include an example, too—a version emblazoned with the number 1941, presumably referencing the year the first Jeeps entered production.
I get it. It’s fun to customize cars and draw elements from one and stick them on another. The first Land Rover was a rough and tumble adventurer, and that same look would surely fit on the Wrangler. But I’d strongly advise thinking about authenticity before buying the injection molds and putting out a press release.
I reckon this concept could still be good, but it should stick true to its core roots. The Wrangler might look genuinely good with rugged steel mesh for the front grille. It suits the off-road look and hews closer to the original inspiration—in just the way a hunk of what looks like black perforated plastic just doesn’t.
Anyway, that’s my opinion, and I stick by it. Maybe yours differs, and you think this is the sharpest look going for an American off-roader in 2025. I’d be
happy to hear your thoughts below, and Chelsea Truck Company will be more than happy to accept your money, I’m sure.
Image credits: Chelsea Truck Company
The world is just happy it is not angry eyes.
Is it Masonite like the back of an old TV?
You could make it cheap enough for a fashion switcheroo.
Guaranteed to never rust. (-;
Aftermarket style parts makers, tirelessly inventing new ways to cripple an automobile’s thermal management. I wonder whether it makes an awesome whistling noise when you hit 60, too?
This is Infinitely better than any angry eye mod.
I’m glad I’m not the only person who thought this. Not sure this one is my cup of tea, but it is infinitely better than most of the other aftermarket grilles I see for Wranglers.
Nah, yeah, I don’t think you’re anywhere near alone in this. I’m sick to death of the “no talk me, i angy” look on Wranglers, especially when combined with thin blue line punisher logo bullshit. Buncha dumbass macho posturing from dudes who probably don’t wipe their asses because they think that’s for [slur for gay people]s.
I thought those jeeps were mad because they never got to go play off road.
This is way, WAY, WAY better than the default slotted grill that jeeps come with from the factory. That’s a hill I’m willing to die on.
I’m ok with the concept, but the Jeep has a signature grill. Maybe apply this idea to a Bucktooth Monster Werks. It might improve the hideous kidney grill
Good idea.
I don’t know if I love it, but it’s far superior to any angry grill.
Make your Jeep look like it’s a Chinese Aughts product!
I know that wasn’t their intent, but they achieved it perfectly anyway.
It’s meh. Better than the grumpy jeeps though.
Missed opportunity.
https://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-land-rover-early-versions-series-i.html
It’s clearly much better-looking. It also doesn’t remind you as much that it is a US product, which should help dull the pain somewhat. I mean, you really don’t want to be seen to be driving around in anything US related in this current climate.
I dislike it a great deal but this is what the Mahindra Roxor should have done instead of what they did do to the front of those.
I actually kind of like it.