grill question

[cburke1088]

so i just bought a grill kit off of ebay, http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=018&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=280082230777&rd=1&rd=1 how do u guys think it will look, or is it junk? another question i have is, i have the like fake chrome grill housing now, is it possible to get that paninted because its in pretty bad condition, with fading and all, i would like it to be the body color(wedgewood) or do u think i should just try and get one from a junk yard? how much would somtihng like that run? so telll me what u think of the grill, and also post pics of ur grills if u have them, thanks

 

[acuzerfdw]

Nice looking grille. I thought about getting that same one. As for the chrome grill housing, just sand it down a little and repaint it the color you want. That should be fine. No need to get another one.

 

[cgriffin_5139]

Well you will have to take the chrome off the grill shell. If you dont the paint will not stick very well and chip off. You can get the black grill shells on eBay, i think it would be your best bet to do it that way.

 

[reserved50]

I have the top piece, I think he just photoshops that truck from red to blue, anyone know what headlight surround that truck uses in the ad, doesnt look like a standard Explorer one, thats some guys in another? Exploder forum. That chrome its probably easier to buy like a XL? or whatever non painted base models and paint it body colour ( I did but the aftermarket parts need to be sanded and test fitted a few times). That chrome if you want to totally remove it is almost like chrome you find on rims, its pretty thick.

When i got the grill a few "ribs" were out of place but easy enough to straighten, I also recessed it further into the headlight bezel and cut some of the ends off the ribs, so it almost fits flush to where I cut the factory plastic insert out and painted that entire area flat black and the grill gloss black and made brackets for the Ford oval, well worth in looks for what that part costs. I also changed over to the Limited bumper, had to add washers to shim up the bumper reinforcement to the frame mounts because it didnt sit flush, beats me why, maybe Limiteds use different brackets. If it doesnt sit flush and you tighten it, it will crack

^ dont ask

 

[jackndelphine]

how do you get to the secondary hood release?

 

[JIGAWHAAT]

Well you will have to take the chrome off the grill shell. If you dont the paint will not stick very well and chip off. You can get the black grill shells on eBay, i think it would be your best bet to do it that way.

I used a couple of coats of this stuff not to long ago on my chrome before I painted it... Seems to be holding up well.

JIGA

 

[cgriffin_5139]

I used a couple of coats of this stuff not to long ago on my chrome before I painted it... Seems to be holding up well.

JIGA

Sweet jiga who,short bus, jiga what!

 

[Afboy143]

Here is mine I got off ebay minus the 4.0 emblem which I added later. I paid $80 shipped for mine. It is stainless steel and has a lifetime warrenty against rust

 

[jackndelphine]

I ask again........how do you get to the secondary hood release?

 

[techboj]

Earlier 2nd gens like your - usually you will need a screwdriver. Gently slide it between the grill fins

On others X's (like the 99 pictured) the secondary release is above the grill just below the hood. You just pop the hood open, reach under a little bit left of center and you should hit the latch with your finger

 

[jackndelphine]

I am going to have to build something, so I don't have to use a screwdriver to open the hood, thats ridiculous. But, thats what I thought you had to do, I got my grille off of a parts truck, and I could see little scratch marks on it from opening the hood, thats how I figured out how to do it. Once I fabricate something and it works maybee I will post a little how to type thread on here.

Jack

 

[cybergasm]

should search around here on the forums i do believe this has been covered before (secondary latch)

 

[reserved50]

the grille I bought had an extension, but for security reasons I left it off, or you can upgrade to the newer latch that opens under the hood not behind the grille