Before Here is the Super Duty-style...
Before
Here is the Super Duty-style grille in the new Ford. It's a very utilitarian style instead of the custom look that we're after.
Billet grilles have become so common in custom rides that some factory trucks come with a billet look-alike. The new F-150 isn't that lucky. Ford decided to throw in two different grilles in the front of its new truck: a flat honeycomb-style and what looks to be a direct duplicate of the Super Duty grille. Neither of these two designs scream custom and both could use a little help from the aftermarket industry.
Luckily, T-Rex Truck Products Inc., a company that has been making billet bars for more than 10 years for just about every application, has grilles for both styles. The company starts with a solid stock of aircraft-quality T-5 or T-6 billet aluminum. The stock is cut to length, shaped to its specific contour, then TIG-welded in a jig.
After As you can see, the...
After
As you can see, the front end looks a lot cleaner and a lot less like a work truck with the T-Rex grille in place. The guys at JBM had this grille installed in less than an hour because they're good at what they do. If you install it yourself, take your time and be careful not to scratch the paint.
With the introduction of new-model trucks, we get to show you how the grilles are installed and what, if any, are the hidden tips and tricks. The honeycomb-style grille can be enhanced without cutting, thanks to T-Rex's overlay, but for the Super Duty-style, some cutting will be necessary. Since the honeycomb-style grille is the easier of the two, we'll tackle the harder one. We went to JBM Sport Truck Accessories in Orange, California, to let the experts there show us how it's done. These guys install a lot of grilles and have it down to a science, and recommend that if you do it yourself, take your time and be careful not to scratch anything.
The inserts from T-Rex are...
The inserts from T-Rex are constructed out of aircraft aluminum and polished to high luster. The grille is TIG-welded in a jig to make sure all the bars are even. As you can see, T-Rex supplies you with an upper and lower grille insert to produce a complete look.
If you happen to have the...
If you happen to have the honeycomb-style grille, T-Rex can provide you a billet insert like this one.
1. The grille shell is now...
1. The grille shell is now attached to the hood on these Fords, instead of staying on the body like before. Opening the hood and removing a few nuts will get the shell off.
2a. The lower insert is an...
2a. The lower insert is an overlay held on by these nut clips and flat bars through the existing plastic.
2b.
3. The main grille shell is...
3. The main grille shell is not going to be that easy, so the paint is covered in masking tape to prevent scratches.
4. The grille itself is a...
4. The grille itself is a separate piece. The center is initially cut with a Jigsaw before being taken apart; this will keep the center rigid and make the cut easier.
5a. The two sections are split...
5a. The two sections are split apart by releasing the clips that run around the perimeter so that the final shaping can be done without worrying about the paint.
5b.
6. An air grinder is used...
6. An air grinder is used to knock down the rest of the unwanted center section.
7. JBM sprays the centers...
7. JBM sprays the centers satin black to match the powdercoating on the T-rex grille.
8. The center section is snapped...
8. The center section is snapped back into the shell before the new grille is installed.
9. A few holes are drilled...
9. A few holes are drilled in the factory piece for the grille mounts.
10. The provided spacers are...
10. The provided spacers are installed between the grille and the factory insert.
11. The tape is removed and...
11. The tape is removed and the entire grille assembly is reinstalled on the truck. With a quick shot of detailing spray to remove the fingerprints, the job was done.