Hi all. I am a new 97 Ford XLT owner and am in the market for a new billet grille. My truck has the chrome around the headlights but the grey portion of the center grille was pretty faded when purchased. I figure it would be good to just replace with an aftermarket one.

Any suggestions and cost as to what is out there??? Thanks again...

 

I put a stull billet grille in my 2000. Sorry don't have pics w/ me. Make sure that you order one for the 97-98 model as the 99 & up are different. I bought mine new on E-bay. Saved some bucks. Know what you are buying,research the item up for bid and you will have no problems!

 

I just went with Precision. Too many bars though, I prefer fewer bars.

Also, Ford emblem is separate. Mine sits tight right in the middle of the grille though..

 

Pat,

Oh, cost? Sorry..

Hmm, looked through receipts, apparently no price since it was shipped direct from manufacturer. Free maybe? I think it was around $100 if I remember well. Don't quote me on that though..

Grille was purchased through Autobahn Wholesale. Check their website @ www.zmotive.com

Installation is a breeze if you have a rotating tool. (For cutting clips off factory grille holder)

Happy New Year!!

 

Thanks for the info guys. Here is my problem now lol. I ordered the Stull billet grill from Summit Racing Model# 5029-P. It says its for the 97 Ford F150. However, I am not sure after looking at it if its the right one. The curves on the stock one are not the same as the billet and the billet seems longer. Does the billet actually go behind the actual grill??? I have attached pics of my grill and the Stull to show you what I mean. Thanks in advance..

 

Pat did you get any instruction?
On the stull that I installed, I had to take the whole grille assemnle off, carefully remove the plastic insert, and cut ,I think, part of the tabs off. It was not hard to do.

 

Pat,

Believe it or not, it does fit. The assembly come off (as stated by Peties) and the billet grille fits behind it. You're correct a/b the curve though. Making it fit will require some (or a lot) of force while you're screwing the whole grille/assembly back onto the truck..

Pretty easy huh?

Have a Happy New Year everybody!!

 

Hey Pat

I just installed the stull grill on my 98 today. It is the same part# and looks just like the one you have and it fit fine.I see you have the chrome surround wich I think has to be cut out. I have color matched and I only had to knock off the melted tabs on the back.I do have to replace two of the plastic screws that hold the cover on the radiator on. Some of them didn't want to come out bit it wasn't a big deal.

Also some people say to cut the plastic push pins on the bottom of the surround but I would just pry them out so you can reuse them after.

So just to give you a quick how to

1 remove all of the black plastic screws on the radiator cover.
2 remove all the screws on top of the surround.
3 find the torx screws behind the corner lights and remove them (1 on each light)
4 pull the corner light towards the front of the truck and they should slide out( might have to wiggle them a bit, unplug connectors)
5 remove the screws behind the corner lights(two on each side)
6 Use a screwdriver to pry the bottom push pins out that hold the rubber valance.
7 look under the middle part of the surround and you will see two clips. push up on the bottom of the clips and pull the surround out.
8 remove grill from surround(either knock off melted tabs for colored surround or cut out for chrome surround)
9 assemble grill and test fit by sliding grill into the front of the truck between crossmembers and temp install the surround so you can adjust the grill and mark where you need to drill.
10 Drill the four holes you marked.
11 install the grill but do not tighten down yet just snug them.
12 Replace the surround and the screws on the surround.
13 adjust grill as needed and tighten down
14 install everything else
15 sit back and admire

I also installed the lower grill and it really completes the front end

I hope this helps a little

 

Shawn, Thanks for the info thats great. Its a big relief knowing I got the right one. I am having a Class III hitch put on my truck in a week or two and am going to have the shop but the billet on.

Did you take any pics with the new grille?? What did you do with the Ford emblem? Are you going to try and put that on with the billet?

 

Sorry I don't have any pics yet I will try to get some up before the end of the week. I didn't do anything with the emblem yet but I don't think I am going to put it back on the grill. I kinda like the clean look.

Don't worry about yours your gonna love it..