Hyundai Tucson NX4 Body Kit Installation Review

Why Your Hyundai Tucson NX4 Needs a Radiator Grille Mesh

The Hyundai Tucson NX4 boasts a modern, visually appealing design with its parametric diamond pattern grille. However, this open design, while stylish, also means the grille openings are quite large. Directly behind the grille sits the radiator, crucial for cooling the engine. High-speed driving can expose the radiator fins to damage from small stones, debris, insects, and plastic fragments entering through the grille. Such impacts can bend or crush the fins, reducing cooling efficiency and potentially leading to coolant leaks. A grille mesh, or mesh insert, acts as a protective barrier, installed inside the existing grille to filter out this harmful debris without impeding airflow. Typically made in black, it maintains the vehicle's aesthetic appeal.

Installation Process: Protecting Your Tucson NX4's Radiator

While seemingly straightforward, installing a grille mesh requires careful handling to avoid damaging the factory grille. The Tucson NX4's front grille is secured with clips and bolts, and forcing it can break mounting points. Professional assistance is recommended for this step. The process begins with the careful removal of the front grille. Once detached, the interior of the grille is thoroughly cleaned. A clean surface is essential for the mesh to adhere properly and prevent future lifting or detachment. The team at O-neul-ui-car in Incheon followed these steps: removing the grille, cleaning the interior, measuring for the mesh, and cutting the mesh to size.

The Tucson NX4 has two main areas requiring protection: the upper main grille and the lower air intake grille. Both have wide openings and require separate mesh pieces. The mesh material used is typically a high-durability product with enhanced resistance to heat, weather (UV rays and moisture), and impact, ensuring it withstands external conditions without significant deformation over time. Precision in cutting the mesh to fit the grille's contours is paramount. A poorly cut mesh can leave gaps or vibrate during driving. This installation utilized a custom-fit method, cutting the mesh directly against the vehicle's grille for a perfect seal.

Securing the mesh can involve adhesive methods or a combination of clips and cable ties. To ensure longevity, especially in high temperatures, a method that securely fastens the mesh edges to the inner grille frame is preferred over adhesive alone. This detailed approach minimizes the risk of detachment while driving.

Final Inspection and Results

After installing the mesh on both the upper and lower grilles, a thorough inspection was conducted before reattaching the main grille to the vehicle. Checks included ensuring the mesh edges were neatly tucked inside the grille frame, verifying there were no loose sections, and confirming the mesh maintained its shape. Once satisfied, the grille was reinstalled. The result is a protected radiator with a grille that looks clean and integrated, maintaining the vehicle's original appearance while adding a layer of crucial protection.

The cost for this service at O-neul-ui-car in Incheon was approximately ₩70,000 (around $50 USD), with the installation taking about 1 hour. The durability is expected to be long-lasting, with minimal maintenance required beyond occasional cleaning of the mesh itself.