This isn't a new or original idea, but it is simple and virtually anyone with common tools can do it. . .and it looks GREAT!


You can see the chrome better in this pic:


Go to your local hardware store and buy a section of flourescent light covering. Cost: $15-$20. It's chrome plated and easy to work with and shape.

Take off your grille shell and remove the stock insert.

Place a piece of the material cut a little bigger than the opening into the insert location and fasten it with screws or ties or what ever device you feel comfortable with.

Now remove the Ford Emblem with a 10mm socket and place it in the grille. Rubber washers work well to keep the fasteners from biting into the material.

Re-assemble everything and you are done. Took me 1/2 hour total, but plan on an afternoon if you're not familiar with the removal of the grille shell or good with tools.

Enjoy!

 

Wrongday, I love homemade mods........but what are you using to to get these pics online. Anyway you can get some clearer pics, because I would consider this mod but cant really make out this pics. Thanks, for your info, you have given me lots of ideas.

I hope I didnt offend you with the pic comment, I just happend to be a computer geek so I notice that stuff.

 

I wouldn't think that stuff would hold-up very long?

 

Real Nice Cheap Grille
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.........

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

 

fishdeth,

Nice work. I need a darkwedgewood blue or black version of that grille to go with my color matched headlight covers and Lightning front bumper, thanks for the detailed info!

 

Fishdeth,

I'm glad you posted! It was your grille that inspired me to do mine. The only difference is that I used square-holed light diffuser material and you used oval-holed. Or are they octagon?

Sorry for the cheesy pics- my mother-in-law (bless her black heart) dropped my digital camera and that's the best I can do. I ain't buying another one, so you guys will have to bear with me. I will try to clean them up better in PhotoShop before posting.


Later,

 

iron horse,
I sprayed mine with 3 coats of clear coat for protection, but I think you could achieve what you are looking for by spraying several coats of a candy color (ie. translucent color) in a smoke color wich would give you a "Black Chrome" look or in a candy blue for a "Blue Chrome" . Hobby shops have a variety of candy colors for painting lexan R/C car bodies.
Several EVEN coats may be needed to get the desired color depth, then a clear coat or two. But of course try it on a scrap piece first to make sure the candy color doesn't mess up the chrome.
Good idea ! Please post some pics...

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WrongdayJ
I like the look of the square grille on your truck !
However I advise to take it out & spray it with clearcoat & it will stay sharp a lot longer. (trust me)

Good Job !

__________________
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I've seen that stuff in white and chrome, but does it come in black by chance?,,,,98

Dropping a digital camera should be punishable by death, LOL!

 

I cant find any. Went to Lowes, but no luck. Any hints on where they hide this stuff

 

I got mine at ACE Hardware, but I think there are other places you can find it. Home Depot may have it. It's usually in the flourescent lighting section, or else back where they keep their sheets of lexan and plexiglass. It's worth the hassle of running around.

 

Here in Orlando FL, I got mt honeycomb lite diffuser at a place called "Plast-D-Fusers Southeast".
1809 Acme Street
(407) 422-6660

Thats all this guy does, all types of lite diffuser stuff.

$40.00 a sheet but if you get a few guys together you could maybe get a little better price on a case?

Fishdeth...

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