So after reading many many threads asking the same thing about how to remove the grill on a 2011+ Explorer I got the gist of it and tackled it myself.
I completed the plasti dip of my grill but forgot to take pictures along the way so I went back and removed the grill AGAIN and took some pictures along the way.
This is to help supplement the many other grill removal threads out there and I hope it helps.
Step 1 - Open Hood, get 10mm Socket and small flat screwdriver
Remove
SEVEN (7) of the 10 mm bolts circled in
GREEN and the
TWO (2) push rivet fasteners circled in
RED
The top plastic cover then should come off freely
Step 2 - VERY GENTLY pry the grill away from the engine compartment and tilt it forward to expose the FOUR (4) very tricky nuts (10mm). TWO (2) are near the middle, and are the easier of the 4. The other TWO (2) are down by the headlights and are VERY tricky/hard to remove
You can see the back side of the bolt, which has the nut on it, at the tips of my fingers. This is one of the center ones.
Just above the White pointer stick (very technical) is the back of the bolt showing the nut near the passenger side headlight.
Step 3 - Remove the grill
This can be very tricky so TAKE YOUR TIME
Seen here is the back of the grill, circled in
RED are the FOUR (4) bolts that had the nuts on them. Circled in
GREEN are the
SIX (6) clips holding the bumper in place. Careful, I broke one doing this write up.
Grill removed -
Reverse the process to reinstall,
Hope this helps!!!