How Do I Install an F-150 Billet Grille?
The F-150 is a full-sized, 1/2-ton pickup truck made by the Ford Motor Company. Originally dubbed the F-1, F-series trucks have been on the market since 1948; and as of 2010, the F-150 is still being manufactured. Many aftermarket parts are available for the F-150. Some of these parts are made from billet aluminum, an alloy that is stronger than standard aluminum. Billet grilles are machined from blocks of billet aluminum and are designed to replace the standard F-150's factory-installed grille, which is made of plastic.
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Instructions
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Apply masking tape to the chrome trim surrounding the grille as this will be reused. Open the hood. Remove the grille assembly retaining bolts on the underside of the hood with a 10 mm socket and ratchet wrench turned in a counterclockwise direction. Remove the grille assembly from the hood and place it on a workbench.
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2
Remove the factory mounting brackets from the back side of the grille with the 10 mm socket and ratchet. Install the heavier brackets that came with the billet grille onto the grille with the original mounting hardware.
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3
Peel back the factory tape covering the grille insert retaining clips on the inside of the grille assembly. Pry up on the tabs with a flat head screwdriver and remove the factory plastic grille insert from the grille surround.
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4
Place the new billet grille into the backside of the factory grille surround. Place the plastic washers that came with the billet grille onto the mounting studs on the backside of the factory grille surround. Place the billet grille mounting brackets over the studs, making sure the bend in the bracket is facing upwards. Tighten the mounting screws on the brackets to the billet insert with the socket and ratchet.
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5
Hold the grille assembly to the underside of the hood and reattach it with the mounting hardware that came with the grille. Tighten the bolts finger-tight only. Lower the hood and check the alignment of the grille in relation to the headlights and bumper. Slide the grille slightly, as needed, to obtain the proper alignment. Open the hood and tighten the grille retaining bolts with the socket and ratchet.
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6
Remove the factory logo from the center of the factory grille insert by unscrewing the retaining bolts with the socket and ratchet from the backside. Attach the logo to the center of the new billet insert and tighten the bolts. Remove the masking tape from the grille surround and close the hood.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not attempt to use the factory grille mounting brackets when installing a billet grille insert. Billet aluminum is much heavier than the original plastic grille, and the factory brackets cannot support the extra weight. Use the mounting brackets that came with the billet insert.
