Wow....Even though it's a stock grille, it makes a big difference in the appearance....I'm loving it....Just got finished bout an hour ago installing it in place of my stock honeycomb grille...and with SVTcustoms "Black Oval" overlay on the badge....adds a nice touch.....I'm satisfied.

 

You all talk and no show?

 

I was just doing a search on this last night. I really want to do this very soon. I hate the honeycomb look and loved the look on my 02 L. Were there any problems with the install? Where did you find the grille insert? And how much if you don't mind me asking? Thanks for the info.

 

When I swaped mine I did the complete grille. My XLT had the chrome surround, and the egg crate grille.

I ordered it from fordpartonline.com, it was something like 97 dollars, and not much for shipping. I got it quick also as it was dropped shipped from Ford in DET, and I live in Chicago.

https://www.f150online.com/galleries...1916-24655.jpg

Obviously you have the color restrictions on them, so if you estate green, then you are out of luck for swaping the whole thing.

Check out fordpartsonline.com, fordpartsnetwork.com, or oemfordparts.com to see if you can get just the insert, or if it is the whole grille. Last time I checked ( 2001 ) it was the complete grille and surround from Ford.

 

fox32601 - I have been wanting to upgrade mine to the 2001 L front end - when the dealer did mine, they did not have the parts for the 2001 yet, so I have the front end of a 2000 L on my 2001 SCrew. I went to fordpartsonline.com to get pricing and they are listing the oxford white grille for the 2001 L at $229.82. Where/ how did you get yours for $93??!!!

Do you have the part # for it??

 

Have any of ya'll looked in the online store here ? They have a STULL grille for like $69.95 not a bad deal ! I've been shopping for one as well and I'm just waiting to find the right one for me, Any suggestions !

 

Any reply on how the grille insert fit? I really want to try and find a insert and get it installed if it works well. Thanks,

Mark

 

2020is -
it is not a hard install at all....just remember to not rush it...took me about an hour overall....
1st - you take your Sight Shield off (big piece of plastic with the belt diagram sticker)...
2nd - remove the parking lights (1 screw on top side of light then slides straight out)...
3rd - there is about 8 screws on the top side of the grille assembly to remove and 2 screws on each side that are behind the parking lamps...
4th - between the bumper and the grille assembly under both headlights, there is a piece of plastic that is snapped onto the assembly and connects to the fenders....now being you have upgraded to a lightning front end, you may have already taken these off, but if not, you pop the plastic screws that hold them on (just like the Sight Shield)....this is where you need to be careful because it is a tight fit between the bumper and the grille assembly...i left those pieces off being is you cant see them anyway...
5) - now, look on the bottom back side of the grille, you will see 2 long rectangular looking pieces...these are the supports that hold the bottom side of the grille to the frame....this is part of the grille assembly....take your hand to the back side of the radiator bracket and push down on each of these to pop them out of the bracket....

Now your grille assembly is ready to remove....it's optional to take your headlights off to give you more room to manuvure with....i did

The center insert is snapped into the grille assembly....here you have to be careful not to break the tabs on your grille assembly....since the tabs are the only thing holding the insert in...but, with patience and ease you should have no problem.

Then just snap the Lightning grille insert in and do the steps in reverse....Hope this helps out man....Good Luck!!!

LightningCrew:
I just kept posting messages on this board asking if any Lightning owner who had replaced their stock 2001 and up Grille Insert with an aftermarket if they wanted to get rid of it....Luckily the next day, SVT150 member on here replied and i shot him a price of 50 bucks (80 bucks total with shipping)....and 5 days later, i'm putting it on.

I went with the Stock "L" grille insert due to a couple of reasons.....1 - yeah most people won't notice the difference, but true F-150 enthusiasts like myself will notice..... and 2nd, i didn't want to go with an aftermarket because everywhere you turn, seems like someone has a billet or stull or something....just wanted to do something stock but with style....and it looks really good.....not too many Non Lightning owners around with a Lightning Stock Grille Insert

Well guys, my hands are cramping, and I hope this info helps.....Hope you guys get as lucky as I did....Thanks again Chris!!!!...Good luck!!!

p.s. - maybe one day I'll get off my butt and get some pics of this beauty

Keith

 

Thanks for the info. I am looking for a stock 01-03 L grille right now to do this same mod. Hope to see some pics soon.

Mark