Took some pics of my M&S Mesh Grill install today so here's my write up.* I was doing it on the fly so I'm sure there are tools or areas I could have done better so please comment if you have something to add.
I got this grill from Socal Garage Works and it was about $100 cheaper than the other options.* Now, I can see a couple reasons why that might be but I'll get into that later.*
I'm also going to go over the Pierce Crash Bar install as well.
The tools I used:
10mm and 12mm socket/wrench
Philips head screw driver
Tin slips
Drill
3/8th drill bit
Philips head bit
Zip ties
Plastic weld
The grill comes with 3 pieces that are all primed black.* For my purposes I didn't need any of the shielding for the crash bar or the license plate mount... so I threw those in the trash.
So to start, you remove the bumper.* There are other DIYs for this so I won't go into details but I will remind ya to disconnect the fog lights.
]
Get comfortable with where you put the bumper and get ready to be there a while.* First thing that has to go is the foam padding... trash!
Next, you'll be staring at a literal sea of Philips screws and clips.* All of the screws have to go.* I ended up using the drill and a Philips bit to get through them quickly.* These screws hold two layers of redundant support, for what I don't know, but you will only need the radiator shroud.* Follow the pics below for the order of pieces removed.* (NOTE:* you will only need a hand full of the screws you removed to install the new grill)
Next you'll need to pop the stock grill out.* Flexing the bumper helps loosen the clips but you'll find you have to use some mild force to release all of the clips.
You've come to the point of no return.* There is a chunk of plastic that spans the grill void.* The M&S grill will NOT fit if you don't cut this out (or at least I couldn't see how it would).** Doing some test fitting you do not need to preform a clean job removing this section of the bumper as the frame of the grill will completely cover it.* I used a pair of tin snips.* Now your ready to start installing the grill into the bumper.
I got this grill from Socal Garage Works and it was about $100 cheaper than the other options.* Now, I can see a couple reasons why that might be but I'll get into that later.*
I'm also going to go over the Pierce Crash Bar install as well.
The tools I used:
10mm and 12mm socket/wrench
Philips head screw driver
Tin slips
Drill
3/8th drill bit
Philips head bit
Zip ties
Plastic weld
The grill comes with 3 pieces that are all primed black.* For my purposes I didn't need any of the shielding for the crash bar or the license plate mount... so I threw those in the trash.
So to start, you remove the bumper.* There are other DIYs for this so I won't go into details but I will remind ya to disconnect the fog lights.
]
Get comfortable with where you put the bumper and get ready to be there a while.* First thing that has to go is the foam padding... trash!
Next, you'll be staring at a literal sea of Philips screws and clips.* All of the screws have to go.* I ended up using the drill and a Philips bit to get through them quickly.* These screws hold two layers of redundant support, for what I don't know, but you will only need the radiator shroud.* Follow the pics below for the order of pieces removed.* (NOTE:* you will only need a hand full of the screws you removed to install the new grill)
Next you'll need to pop the stock grill out.* Flexing the bumper helps loosen the clips but you'll find you have to use some mild force to release all of the clips.
You've come to the point of no return.* There is a chunk of plastic that spans the grill void.* The M&S grill will NOT fit if you don't cut this out (or at least I couldn't see how it would).** Doing some test fitting you do not need to preform a clean job removing this section of the bumper as the frame of the grill will completely cover it.* I used a pair of tin snips.* Now your ready to start installing the grill into the bumper.