I recently bought a 6 bar chrome grill from an XLT to put on my FX2 (chrome haters, just move along nothing to see here) It was just a little to white for me. I had read all the horror stories about removing the grill and they turned out to be partially true. It is not easy but it can be removed without breaking any tabs. I stared on one side and using small screwdrives gently opened a gap. Then inserted another small screwdriver to the spot where the tabs are located. If you gently pry the tab foward and then twist the screwdriver combined with a little pressure and luck the tab will pop out. And it scared the crap out of me each time. It really pops out with a bang...

Here are the before and after pics. I installed the new grill without the metal parts on the tabs so I can run it for awhile with the chrome grill to make sure I like it that way.


Before...


after...

 

Looks nice!! I did the same thing to my FX4....


Before:


After:

 

Looks odd, its not to my liking but if you like it cool. I will say Ford dropped the ball on the FX2 and FX4 gills.

 

If I could get my hands on a 6 bar tuxedo black grille I would switch out the chrome grille and sell it, or would be willing to trade. The reason why I went with chrome is because my original FX4 grille had dents on top of every tab (5 dents). I had a battle with Ford because I felt it was a defective grille. Needless to say I lost that battle and couldn't get it covered under warranty.

 

dang i've been looking to get rid of my xlt grille for a fx4 or fx2 one!

 

My Sentiments exactly...

 

Looks good, but looked excellent before

 

The chrome grill looks good, but I like the white grill surround better than the chrome one.

 

Good job both of you!

 

I know for a fact that the fx4 grill is a 2 peice unit that is relatively easy to take apart. If the XLT grill comes apart, I think you may have a true winner, with the best of both parts. Can you combine the FX2 surround, with the XLT insert? That would be better.

 

^ thats what I have wanted to do, but been told the xlt grille will not come apart, but the harley grille will. But they are way more expensive.

 

I still like the painted surround, chrome grill they had on display at the Tx State Fair last year.

 

Thats what I would like to do with mine, might black chrome it too.

 

That is the XLT custom package that comes with that grille. Only avaiable on 4x2 XLT's with the 3.7 only. On the subject of the FX4 grilles, I feel that the 2011 billet style ones are infinitely better looking. Definitely not a fan of the 3 bar ones.

 

What would you guys think about painting everything tuxedo black on the grille except for the chrome mesh behind it? I like the chrome grille I put on but in direct sunlight man that thing is bright lol!