The X Grille: Innovation in Illumination
The X Grille, designed by AX4 and powered by Lightforce, is the newest innovation in driving lights and made quite the impact at the Adelaide 4WD and Adventure Show.
“The X Grille generated lots of interest at the show because it was something different. It certainly appealed to Ford Ranger enthusiasts. It also attracted the attention of four-wheel drivers who would rather not add a bulky bull bar to their vehicle but still want the benefit of high-performance driving lights" stated Peter Howard of AX4.
It’s a complete replacement radiator grille with an integrated pair of high-performance Venom LED driving lights.
The first X Grille kit, to suit the popular Ford Ranger, is a custom package that looks awesome, as if it came straight from the factory. It will be available to pre-order soon for delivery in early 2019.
The X Grille is the result of a collaboration between leading Australian manufacturers Lightforce and AX4, the aftermarket automotive equipment division of Axiom Precision Manufacturing.
The two companies have a long history of partnership, with Axiom being a long- standing supplier to Lightforce.
“We have been working with Axiom as a supplier for many years, and now we’ve decided to come together with their new AX4 division to design and develop a new approach to aftermarket lighting,” says Lightforce Chief Operating Officer Tarnia Conti.
“Axiom formerly manufactured OEM components for the auto industry. Now that car manufacturing has ended in this country, they have transferred their expertise into defence and aerospace, and into innovative automotive enhancements.
Combined with Lightforce’s three decades of highly specialised manufacturing experience, we can create innovative products that challenge the norm and improve on the standard set by the car makers.”
The X Grille’s inspiration comes from a very different sector of the car market: the Shelby GT Mustang from 1967. Sleek and muscular, it’s an aesthetic that translates surprisingly well to today’s superutes.
It’s appropriate then that the first X Grille to go on sale will be for another Ford, the best-selling Ranger.
AX4 designed and developed the robust glass-filled nylon composite grille, with Lightforce providing a special new version of their popular Venom LED lights.
The lights have composite flush-fitting front casings and powdercoated aluminium rear heatsinks so they are resistant to fatigue caused by vibration, temperature variation and UV light exposure.
They attach to the grille at three adjustable mounting points which allow the lights to be fined-tuned for optimal alignment.
Each Venom LED contains 21 LEDs that operate at the optimal colour temperature of 5000K, allowing drivers to see colour and contrast at night, promoting safety and reducing eye fatigue.
The pair of Venom LEDs deliver 1 lux of usable light 850 metres down the road and are shielded to prevent electromagnetic interference on UHF and AM radios.
Modular filters are available to suit different applications – yellow for fog, blue for snow, and clear filters for different beam patterns.
Lightforce lights are exported to more than 50 countries and are recognised as the highest quality both in lighting function and durability in extremes of temperature and vibration.
The X Grille is the perfect combination of aesthetic appeal and robust performance.
The X Grille eliminates the need for bull bars, nudge bars or bulky mountings to add driving lights. The car’s original grille is removed, and only minor modification is required to install the X Grille.
There’s no exposed wiring, fastenings are out of sight and secure under the bonnet, and the lights are fully supported and maintain their full range of adjustability.
Unlike some bull bars and other light mounting solutions, the X Grille does not affect the car’s safety rating or interfere with any of the sensors in modern vehicles.
“Increasing numbers of 4WD and SUV owners are choosing not to fit bull bars,” says Tarnia Conti. “As manufacturers are paying more attention to the styling of these vehicles, many owners want to keep that factory OEM look. We’ve seen recessed and built-in lighting appearing in the custom world, and we decided to make that look – and of course the functionality and performance people have come to expect from Lightforce – available to everyone. It’s DIY with an OEM result.”
The X Grille kit contains a wiring harness, switch and connectors – everything needed for a seamless fit. Instructional videos will provide a step-by-step guide, making installation a straightforward DIY job. Alternatively, owners can choose to have the X Grille professionally installed, a process that takes under two hours.
The X Grille fits Ford Ranger PX2 and PX3 Models. Kits for other vehicles are in development, with X Grilles to suit Holden Colorado and Toyota Hilux planned for release in 2019.
