05/07 grill on our 2001 Ford Super duty
Truck gets new grill!
Our 2001 F250 grill started to show its age plus I've never really liked. Reminds of old '51 Chevy panel truck I had. One practical plus is the 05-07 grills have honeycomb between the louvers offering a bit of protection of the A/C rad/condenser. Other than an eye sore all the exposed stuff behind grill. Nothing really here, just that I did it, replacing grill.
Anyway with nothing better to do decided on replacing the grill. . Pretty simple, The 05/07 grills are a bit taller and need to be trimmed. Many sources outlining how to. Otherwise direct bolt on. Several vendors offer precut grills, so basically 100 bucks for someone else to do the hard part to. I got mine from MKMCustoms directly. They have an Amazon store, probably Ebay but at the time better price direct.
Grill arrived! Pretty happy with it. Trim line is clean, straight. Has snap in connectors like factory grill (some use zip ties etc) used same top screws. Popped off the old grill and verified new one fits, all holes align, then took back to shop. Really 10 minuet job but I have a forward camera I need to mount so will be drilling a couple of holes.
Tiny after market camera on old grill. One issue, well not issue but I cant mount camera after grill mounted, well not easily, so it needs to be mounted to grill and route cable before attaching top of grill. Cant get behind grill because of the honeycomb. Previously was drilled an mounted to grill on truck, cant do that with this grill , its deeper so off to the shop before I make a mess.
And didn't get far. Cant get between lovers on new grill to drill, its deeper.Cant drill from the back side...hmmm
The honey comb section of this grill is separate from the face chrome section. Several (like 22) clips hold the 2 halves together. Simple matter of light releasing and slowly lifting off until it clears, not too painful. Once separated straight shot to drill. I had already placed where to locate. Ended up proud of the grill, not liking. Mounted grill to verify camera view and ensure camera can see pass lover below if moved back. It can so off again, redrill and remounted so camera sets behind chrome. Due to the honey comb rather restricts how far back and I don't want to cut. Old grill camera was not noticeable, on new one its very obvious.
Took a moment to clean up, straighten a few fins0 and paint.
Set grill on the truck, fed cables up thru rubber top flap, plugged it in. Snap grill bottom clips into truck, snug the 4 top screws. Done. Really liking the appearance of new grill, Only real minus is it sets out further than old grill covering more of top of bumper. Didn't realize 05/07 grills stood out further. Only because I stand on it to work on motor. Minor inconvenience for new grill.
A few pics before and after
Doesn't look too shabby in pics but was getting pretty toasty.
I'll save old grill, could possibly repaint, new emblem...maybe
But not likely , really stoked with how truck looks...
Azalot a chrome..albeit plastic. Truck looks like its only 15 years old again :)
Wont be doing a bumper swap, I like the chrome upper bumper but I did replace the 2 piece headlights with 1 piece 05 light a few years ago, that was a bit of work.
To my eye the 05/07 Fords were the best looking years in this body style. Other than the round dually fenders they used few years which I liked, most trucks have just gotten goofy looking. Suppose showing my age-late 90s were the last of Truck looking Fords, just a personal opinion. Anyway easy project.
Relocated the front camera off center to see thru scooter we haul on occasion.
Update for me...
FMI- recently needed to remove grill, forgot and couldnt see bottom clips. Need to slip screwriver between grill and bumper, approx 2" in from each side of honeycomb. Pry up bottom lip of clip while pulling out on grill
shown from back side of grill, screwdriver pushing UP on bottom of clip.
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