The temp. finally got above 30 degrees F. today, so made the switch from my stock Lariat Grill to an XLT (Black) Grill.
With Stock Grill:

With XLT Grill:


Unfortunately, the picture of the black grill doesn't do it justice. It looks as good as I had hoped, maybe even better. The Ford hood deflector really blends in now, it doesn't stand out at all. You might notice that I've also already got a Black "Ford" emblem decal on the grill.

What do you think? If you don't like it, I won't be offended if you say so...it's all about personal preference.

 

Looks good.

 

Looks Great!!!.
What are you going to do with your old one?
I would be interested if you want to sell it

 

I like it, too. Matter of fact, it has taken me some time to get used to the stock Lariat grill. Seems a little ostentatious, somehow.

How much did you have to pay for the XLT grill?

 

Sorry 04xlt,
I'm going to hang onto the Lariat grill...I'll probably put it back on when it come times to trade-in or sell. I already packed it into the box that the xlt grill came in for safe keeping.

John

 

I like it. Looks good on the black truck.

 

I think the XLT grill looks better on a dark truck, and the Lariat on a light colored truck.

 

bikelover,

Yeah, I wasn't terribly fond of the "Nickel" color of the honeycomb. I paid $169, including shipping. I know it can be had for less, though. E-mail me privately (via my profile) if you want more information.

John

 

I think it looks good. I was wondering how it would look with the different grill. I've already had an in-law comment that they don't like the chrome style grill on the lariat and they hadn't seen the truck until I pointed it out, so it's surely something people focus in on right away. I'll keep the chrome style on mine though because it lets people know right away that it's the lariat...since only the lariat comes with that surrond and grill. Anyway, yours look good either way.

 

I like that you also changed the chrome border around it. Did it comes as one big piece with the black trim around it, or is it 2 separate pieces?

 

Looks great. I have an xlt on order and that was one of the things that kept me away from the lariat. I have been thinking about replacing the chrome bumpers with body painted ones when it comes in. It will be pretty expensive though.

 

not if they just "happen" to get hit by someone in the middle of the night and need to be replaced by your insurance company. dang vandals...

disclaimer: I am not encouraging insurace fraud, just encouraging one to think of the tragedies that can befall a new vehicles in a tough neighborhood.

 

Thanks to everyone for the feedback.

Brewmaster, it comes as "one big piece", including the brackets. I only had to use a 10mm socket to remove the 6 nuts and 4 bolts on the original, remove it, put the new one on and reattach the nuts/bolts. It took less than 20 minutes.

John

 

Krap! I wanted to put a Chrome ring on my XLT grill.....Maybe with some surgery.

I like the way the inserts in the lower air dam now match. Making those match the lariet grille would be a good mod.

-ii

 

JohnandDar

I like it... I'm also a fan of the FX4 bar grill... Do you know if this would fit in replacement of the Lariat's?