I've been looking for an aftermarket replacement grille or grille cover for my new '09 Sport. I'm looking for something to cover up those gaping holes between the slats and protect the rad. I haven't found much other than CloudRider. Others I've found are not for the Sport. Any recommendations? Thanks in advance!

 

Is yours a one piece or 2 piece grille?

 

'09 sport...so it's got the STX grille on it.



You think somethings gonna find its way through those holes and causes problems? lol. You can do the gutter gaurd mod.

 

Ah STX grille...well you can send yours to me then...and you can put in a billet from an 04-05!

 

It looks like this...

 

i like that front end more and more

 

Ok, so here is what you do...you send me your current grille and you can fit in a billet from an 04-05 in yours easily, here is a black billet grille I had on my old truck, bought it from www.stuffforyourranger.com



Just make sure you SEND ME your current one!

 

I appreciate the offer Justin, but that's not quite the look I'm going for. Besides, after only having had the truck for a little over a week, I'm not ready to start swapping parts quite yet. If I'm going to remove the oem grille this soon, I'll hang on to it for a while. Thanks for the link though.

FYI...this is the kind of look I'm going for. Just wondering if there are different designs out there somewhere...

 

my god that is ugly as sin lol

keep the stock grille man
i dont think you need to worry much about stuff getting through. the xlt grille like i have has bigger holes then yours, and i;ve had no problems at all.

and if you're really worried about stuff getting in there, get some chicken wire or some sort of mesh, paint it black, and attach it behind the grille. it'll provide protection and you wont even be able to see it.

 

Ya, I realize it's not going to be everyone's favorite...that's why I'm asking if anyone knows of other companies with other designs.

My wife's little SUV has smaller grille spaces and it's rad got the crap beat out of it on our northern highways. I have to do something. I can't stand the look of a beat up rad.

Yup, that's always an option.

Question...how do you remove the grille. If I do a "home brew behind the grille" solution, I'd want to take it off to do it right.

 

4 screws on the top of the grille surround and two tabs underneath the grille to get the whole thing out.

 

^^ yeah its really easy to get the shell off

 

Thanks

 

id paint the factory grill to color match the truck, that would set it off nicely

 

Thought of that too, but would be expensive to do right. I'm not a very good painter. I'd still have to add something in behind as well.

 

Id be more worried that the lower valance will let rocks, birds, small chlldren in and damage the AC condensor before the grille lets anything in to cause damage.

Remember, the AC condensor is gonna get hit before the radiator will. Possibly the trans cooler too if you have an auto.

 

Protecting the lower opening is part of the plan too.

 

I found the screws. Looks like 3 more in behind the grill, 2 on the sides and one in the middle under the hood latch. I see the 2 clips underneath as well. Looks simple enough.

Question...does the center (black) section come apart from the painted section that surrounds it? I can't tell with it still mounted on the truck.

 

Anyone?

I found THESE instructions for installing THIS Carriage Works grille. They mention clips that hold the center section to the surrounding piece. Unfortunately the instructions are for an '04-'05. Is it safe to assume that the '09 grille is the same?

Has anyone ever removed the center section undamaged, so that it can be put back if necessary?

Another question for those that have experience with billet replacement grilles. Does the quality vary that much? I'm seeing prices ranging from $50 on eBay to almost $200. Does the variation in quality justify the price range? Are the eBay specials to be avoided or worth a try?

Sorry for all the questions. I suppose I could just take it off and find out for myself, but I'd rather have as much info as possible before diving in.

Justin, I know I said it wasn't the look I was hoping for but after having looked around, there doesn't seem to be much of a choice between that style and the CloudRider [which, from the immediate reply, I assume you guys think looks like crap...but I kinda like]. The billet look is growing on me though. Regardless, I'd still want to buy new and keep the old one.

 

Ok...I was able to remove the grille. 4 screws and 2 clips. The extra ones I mentioned turned out not to be for the grille. The came separating the black plastic inner section from the painted surround. I looked & scratched my head for a while, but could not come up with a way to do it without breaking the barbed tabs on the center section.

Checked with a body shop guy at my dealership and he doesn't think Ford designed the assembly to ever come apart once assembled. Parts guy looked and said they come as one assembled unit.

Question...it looks to me like the '09 grille is the same as the '08 (see the previous pic I posted). Are they? Justin, you mentioned an 04-05. How far back, in model years, does the common design go? I ask because I'm not finding much for the '09, but there's quite a selection for 06-08 and earlier models.

 

it goes back to 04, but the non xl's

 

Thank you Larson.