How To: 01-03 Grille Removal And Paint
 

Tools needed:
5.5mm socket
10mm wrench or deep socket
2 small flat head screwdrivers

Remove light shrouds using 5.5mm socket, remove grille shroud using 5.5mm socket
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Attachment 148194

Remove grille bolts using 5.5mm socket, one each side.
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Remove clips on bottom of front clip. Two under each light, two under center of clip. Gently but firmly pull on front of clip and they should let go, if not you can use a flat head screwdriver to press down on clips to aid in removal.
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The front clips is now out, place grille on a blanket on the tailgate. Using a 10mm wrench remove the retaining nuts from the back of the oval emblem.
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Now for the grille removal you'll need two small flathead screwdrivers.
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Insert as shown and very gently pry and wiggle the clips and they will let go.
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Start from the outsides and work your way in releasing clips as you go.
Two on each side.
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Five along the bottom, center clip has tabs on both sides.
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Here is two clips out.
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Grille is now out.
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Clean grille removing all debris on grille I used a scrubbrush and a bottle brush to clean using hot soapy water, rinse and clean with isopropyl, allow to dry.

Hang grille so that you can access all sides, using very light coats go at the grille from every angle you can to get into all crevices.
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I wound up giving it 5 light coats to cover everything, I used Rustoleum for plastic it gave it a nice semigloss finish
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Allow everything to set for 24 hours to cure and put back together.

this was very helpful. thanks jason!

Im fixin to try this cause my grill has gone from black to grey, I want it black again. Hopefully I can do this without busting a bunch of those cheap clips, plastic and I do not get along well.

Use a hairdryer or a heat gun to warm the area around the clips.Makes it much easer to disassemble.

Digging this up as it's exactly what i need, i had no idea the surround went underneath the headlights.

Okay MaXX... is this the first time you've looked at the front of your truck? LOL

Haha, shush you, past time weather was ok, I gave it a cursory, but with the aim of removing this.
Hadn't seen the lower parts, never looked ;)

Okay, I will let it go this time! *GRIN* I did my grille about 2 1/2 years ago. Used Krylon Fusion Sating Black. Looks just as good as the day I did it. Just take your time when removing the grille from the shell!