Remove and Replace 1999 Grille?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,512
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From: Detroit
I have an '02 with the same grille as yours. I remember asking what it would take to mount an '03+ grille because I prefer the style a bit, but the mounting points are different enough that I was told that it take a bit of a hack job to convert to the later grille.
Let us know if you find out any different. I don't think it's that hard to remove the grille. I remember the '97-02 grilles (like ours, with the oval in the center), being really cheap on Ebay and Amazon, and you could get a plain painted one and repaint it or something to get a different look (I'd consider this if my grille ever gets trashed). But a painted grille will get sandblasted over the years so that could be an issue as well.
Welcome to the forum,
George
Let us know if you find out any different. I don't think it's that hard to remove the grille. I remember the '97-02 grilles (like ours, with the oval in the center), being really cheap on Ebay and Amazon, and you could get a plain painted one and repaint it or something to get a different look (I'd consider this if my grille ever gets trashed). But a painted grille will get sandblasted over the years so that could be an issue as well.
Welcome to the forum,
George
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,512
Likes: 18
From: Detroit
Online pics of the '03 grille shows 3 recesses on the bottom--is there anything different there? are there any vertical tabs that hook in when you slide the grille down into the opening? Some parts listings also indicate a diff between the sealed beam vehicles and the molded headlights (I have the latter).
Thanks in advance,
George
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 281
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George, I put a chrome 04 grille on first from a van with the composite Headlights and mine has sealed beams and it just snaps in. The 3 clips at the bottom snap in with no problems. Then I changed to a 06 non chrome grille and it fit to. I've since replaced my broke header panel with a 06 model and aside from my front end being bent to one side it fit in with minimal work. It seems as ford didn't change anything besides cosmetic on the 95-08 vans. If I ever get ahold of a 08+ van I'll go in and change from the fenders forward on my 99 and try to change dashboards too.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,512
Likes: 18
From: Detroit
George, I put a chrome 04 grille on first from a van with the composite Headlights and mine has sealed beams and it just snaps in. The 3 clips at the bottom snap in with no problems. Then I changed to a 06 non chrome grille and it fit to. I've since replaced my broke header panel with a 06 model and aside from my front end being bent to one side it fit in with minimal work. It seems as ford didn't change anything besides cosmetic on the 95-08 vans. If I ever get ahold of a 08+ van I'll go in and change from the fenders forward on my 99 and try to change dashboards too.
Does the hood safety have clearance thru the grille? (looks like it would be no problem with the wide slots in that area)
I remember thinking about a billet grille but wondering how I'd get to the dang safety lever.
Wish I'd known this a few years back...we'll have to see how long I want to commit to keeping my van and if I feel like changing something for the sake of changing something I might try. Non chrome ones are like $35 on Ebay.
George
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The hood release works as easy as before. As for the dual Ford emblems, it adds +15 hp. And automatically makes it faster than other cars. Lol
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