Last weekend I baught the steele horse billet grille. It didn't come with any directions but I think I have an idea on how to do it after reading all the posts on my search and after looking ant the truck. Please tell me if this sounds correct.

This is a 97. I removed the sroud that covers the radiator. From there is looks like to get the whole grill of I need to remove a bunch of plastic clips along the bottom attached to a plastic flap.(any advice on getting these things out would be great,if I have to remove them. they are located between the grill and bumper in like 1.5"s of space). Then I need to remove the side marker by taking out 1 9/32 screw. Then remove a screw inside the light area and the entire grille will come out. Then to remove the grey honeycomb grille there are like 16 plastic melted tabs to cut and it will sperate from the grille frame. To install the billet grille it goes directly into the front of the truck via 4 brakcets and some screws(which were also not included but I have lots of screws laying around). then just put the grille frame back on and it will be going around the billet which is mounted to the truck.
Please tell me if this seems correct. Any advice is greatlly appreciated.
Thanks, JW

 

I just installed a Stull billet grill on mine last weekend. Your summary sounds good, I had the same questions about the plastic clips along the bottom. If they are the push through type, I used a flat blade screwdriver and put a towel over it to protect the paint. They should pull out. Also at the bottom of the grill closer to the center (if it is the same as a 99) there will be two supports that are pressed into a snap in type of fitting that may require some force to pull out and press back in. I'm sure it does not make much sense reading it, but you will see when you start the project. It is a fairly easy task you probably won't have much trouble with it.
Jeff

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1999 F-150 Lariat 4X2
Reg cab Short box Styleside
5.4L 3.55ls
Deep Wedgwood Blue/Silver
Lund Interceptor hood shield
VentVisors
Class III hitch
Ford molded mud guards
Soft tonneau cover
Factory CD with changer
Tinted windows
Factory fog light kit

http://www.my-f150.com/lariatregcab/


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The billet grill I ordered is just an insert. The way you fasten it is with zip lock ties over the original grill. All you do is remove the Ford emblem and away you go.

I don't have pics but it looks good!

My question is weatherproofing it. I'm in Minnesota--lots of salt and snow. My grill is going to get eaten up. Can anyone recommend a protective coating that will adhere to bare metal?

 

Jeff, did you get the grill on e-bay? Just curious, 'cause that's where I got mine from. I, too, think it looks good. Had mine on this winter with a good coat of wax. Some pitting, though hardly noticable. Wax is a @#$%& to get out from between the rods on the inside. Maybe having it clear coated with paint would work better.

 

I installed a Stull billet grill which again comes with few instructions. Here is what I did.
1. Remove jack handle 2. Remove cover between grill shell and radiator, be careful, screw faastners are plaxtic and strip with very little pressure. 3. Remove screw from top of corner lenses and pull them straight out. Then I removed the headlights by pulling up on the two tabs as show in your owners manuel. This gives you access to the plastic fastners that hold the body filler to the grill shell, makes it easier to remove them by pushing them down from the top. 4. Removed eight or so screws holding on grill shell. 5. Then grasp the grill shell at the bottom of the grill and close to the bottom and pull straight out. Two snap clips hold it in. 6. Remove grill from shell by unsnapping the clips. 7. Cut the clips close to flush with saw etc. I used a quikie hack saw then sanded with mechanic's emory cloth. 8. Touch-uped the edges where cuts were made just in case they might show. 9. Attached brackets that came with grill to grill as in enclosed instructions. 10. Put grill inside of shell and reattached shell to p.u. Be sure that the "V" in the top of the shell matches to the point on the top support. 11. re-installed all screws and aligned the gill BUT instead of drilling I marked the holes then removed the grill again and drilled them to make access for the drill easier. 12. Also the tabs or bars that attach to the grill then to the support need to be bent a little bit, they do not tell you that and I was worried that I had the wrong grill kit. 13. Start your bolts into the support to get your holes going. 14. Start with the grill inside of the shell, re-install the shell, remember to snap the bottom in and re-align the "V" at the top.
15. Install and adjust the grill 16. Re-install the headlights 17. Re-install your corner lenses 18. Install your logo that you remove from the old grill, turn the nuts upside down to give you the length needed due to the thickness of the new grill 19. Re-install your cover between the coreand grill shell. 20. Replace the jack handle

Took me five hours but I did more steps than some people.