I installed the Grillcraft grill insert yesterday (part # FOR-1306B).
Full on close up:

Front-angle view:


My F150 is a Lariat model. I had previously replaced the stock Lariat Grill (Brushed Nickel Honeycomb Grill w/Chrome Surround) with an XLT grill (Black Honeycomb Grill with Black surround).
I also just removed the Ford hood deflector that I had installed. With this grill, I think the truck looks better without the deflector.

I’m still waiting to receive the insert from Grillcraft for the lower opening. I’ll post more pictures when that is installed.

What do you think?

Installation description and pictures to follow.

 

Here is a picture of the Grillcraft grill insert (this is part # FOR-1306B) before installation:

Installation:
1) Optional Prep: The screws supplied by Grillcraft are very shiny. You may wish to spray paint their heads with flat black exterior spray paint. Do it before you get started and they’ll be dry when you need them.
2) Remove grill assembly from the truck w/ a 10mm deep socket.
3) Now for the most difficult (at least psychologically) step. Use a saw to cut the center grill section out from its frame. Take your time with this. I used a sawzall, but would have preferred something smaller and less awkward, but it got the job done. Keep a light finger on the trigger and carefully control the saw so the grill frame doesn’t get marred. You don’t need to cut too close to the edge. The grill insert will hide any little spikes that remain. Here is what the original grill looked like after cutting:


continued --->

 

4) Place the grill inset into the grill frame. There are 6 mounting tabs on the insert that will be held in place with screw fasteners. The Grillcraft instructions say to hold the grill in place and mark the hole locations for all six tabs. I wasn’t able to keep everything aligned, so I marked the hole for the bottom center tab and drilled it (using a 3/16” bit), then fastened the screw in place. With that screw in place, I was able to evenly align the insert and mark the other 5 hole locations on the frame. I then removed the bottom center screw, drilled the other 5 holes, and attached all 6 tabs using the fasteners provided.
5) I finished off the job by covering any shiny parts on the front of the radiator with flat black tape so they aren’t visible through the grill. I should have done this sooner with the black honeycomb grill. If the tape doesn’t hold up, I’ll paint these parts flat black at a later time. Here is a picture of the taped parts:

6) Finally, you may wish to remove the Grillcraft emblem (easy).

This was not difficult to install by any means. If anyone has a question, just ask.

~John

 

Looks good JnD. Real good. Nice mod

 

Nice grill!! You gonna put the lower grill in? What about the ford emblem?

Nanners for the grill!!!

 

I’m still waiting to receive the insert from Grillcraft for the lower opening. I’ll post more pictures when that is installed.



Shees, read the guys post will ya

 

Thanks for the nanners BREW & dz!

Lower Grill - BREW already fielded that question for me.

Emblem - We've all gotten used to that BIG 'OLE emblem on the front of our trucks, so the new grill does look kind of empty without it. I may like it better that way, though. I'm going to temporarily affix the old emblem to the new grill to see how it looks. I'll post pics so you can see how it looks and give some feedback.

~John

 

B'ah! Read?! Puh-leeze... why read when you got pretty picture?! Now what about that lower grill?

 

john i shot you an email

 

The Grillcraft part for the lower grill arrived 2 weeks ago.
I opened the shipping box (which was in perfect condition) and found that the lower grill piece was bent out of shape, so I had to take some time to correct that.
The installation required drilling 3 3/16 holes in the plastic surrounding the lower opening...1 in the bottom center and 1 on each side...to line up with tabs that stick out the back of the grill piece.
Per the directions, you are then supposed to place provided screw nut clips on each of the tabs and then attach the grill with screws by going from outside the lower surround inward so that the screw firmly grabs the screw nuts on the grill tabs. That worked fine for the bottom center hole, but was impossible for the sides...there is no room to get a socket or screwdriver (or a hand even) in that space. It turns out that the '04 F150 pictured in the directions doesn't have fog lights, and therefore must have a lot more room to work with than mine. I called Grillcraft and explained the problem with the installation. I told them I could probably install the piece by inserting screws from the inside through the tabs, then through the surround, but would need flat screw nuts like they provided with the upper grill. They sent me some slightly longer screws and flat screw nuts, but it took over a week by regular mail.
Now that the installation is completely done, I am happy with the look and the fit of the Grillcraft inserts. They are also a lot easier to clean than the honeycomb grill.

Here is how it looks:

 

Man that looks good! Be cool if they made a 6pc one for the grille on my FX4...

 

I plan on yanking the STX grill out and replacing with a XLT and grill craft grill soon.

 

That is definitely one of the best grilles I have seen.

Great job, I like your attention to detail.

I couldn't wait to paint my grille black, while I wait to get a grillcraft.

 

https://www.f150online.com/galleries/mygallery.cfm?gnum=4560




just like to say one thing this is a cool site!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!http://fordtruckworld.tenmagazines.com/mygallery.asp?id=3475

 

Your black truck looks amazing! But I was alwasy partial to black...