img]https://www.f150online.com/galleries/images/1460-2165-25116.jpg[/img]

Where do I cut to make this stull grill fit right will it fit the whole whill only be 38 3/8 and the grill is 41?

 

https://www.f150online.com/galleries...2165-25116.jpg

 

You cut everything gray out of the center. Leave about a 16th of an inch and then sand to the edge of the chrome. It's a lot of work but worth it in the end. Here is a picture where you can see my grill. It is not the same brand but installs the same way.

 

JUST HELPIN'

 

I have a 97 Longbed that came with the stock one piece grille with a chrome surround & the standard big bar insert which I couldn't wait to replace. I removed it, placed it on saw horses, covered the chrome with 3 layers of blue painters tape to protect it from the foot of my jig saw. I drilled a 1/2" hole at each upper corner & cut all the way around approximately 1/16" - 1/8" from the chrome, then sanded the edge with a sanding block in the flat areas & a dremmel sanding drum in the curved areas just till I got to the chrome, then touched this finished 1/8"edge with a permanent black magic marker.
Now the grille.........
(The grille material is supposed to be bigger cause it mounts behind the chrome surround.)
Grille was made from chrome honeycomb plastic light diffuser, sprayed with 3 coats of Krylon clear coat for protection. It comes in 1/2" thick, 2ft X 4ft sheets to fit the standard 4 tube flourescent cieling fixtures. Home Depot & the like only have it in the square pattern so you have to check other lighting sources in town for the honeycomb pattern (approximately 1/2" openings). Each sheet is enough to make 2 grilles & 1 bumper grille for a 97-98 or 2 grilles for the taller 99 & up....... $40.00
The 1/2" thicknes gives it great reflectivity.
Have had many compliments !
Sweet !

Check it--> https://www.f150online.com/galleries...FTOKEN=92207055
[img]https://www.f150online.com/galleries/images/1304-2001-24791.jpg[img]

 

Why don't you take the old grille insert out ?

This would require taking the surround out ( 10 screw across the top, 2 behind each turn signal, and the 2 V-clips in the lower part inside the cavity between the grille and rad ), by releasing it from the surround ( 6 or 8 tabs holding the egg crate to the chrome surround ).

I don't know if you are to leave something in there to mount the new insert to, or what ( don't have one of those ), but removing the grille from the surround might a clean easy way of doing it.

Before you start this, if you want I have grille and surround sitting in a box ( from my L grille ) if you want it, it is your for the cost of shipping. I was going to drop it at the junk yard this weekend, but I'd rather help out a F150 OL member instead.

It is the Chrome surround 3 bar egg crate style from an 2001 XLT SCrew 2WD

Just drop me an email, or post back and it is yours for the taking.

 

Sscully,
I would really like that surround ! I sent you an e-mail
I have an experimental mod to try !!!

 

Sscully,
On the earily F-150's like the one pictured, the grill is one piece and the center has to be cut out. If you can find a 4X4 grill with the egg crate then you can remove it as you say. The one in the picture has to be cut.

 

My email address is vikesfreak_99@yahoo.com please send me your address and I will send you a money order for the shipping

 

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

For all the great advice that I get at this place. It makes things allot easier