I got this wild idea... I have an XL model that has the standard front grill instead of the honeycomb.. I do A LOT of backwood driving in Texas so I'm in spots where I got low hangs and very little visibilities with my headlights.. I know I could throw a brush gaurd on and some lights and my problem would be solved.. but I thought of something the other day and it sounded like something a little crazy and unique at the same time..

From my understanding the front grill piece comes off for aftermarket billet grills and such..

this is a 2000 F150 Supercab by the way..

Now my truck I noticed has a bar that runs all the way across the front behind the grill.. Perfect for mounting lights.. Now since I dont have a honeycomb grill I have limited opening for the light to shine through the grill cut outs.. I was thinking about completely removing that entire center piece.. As if I was going to install a billet grill but without a billet grill.. then mount 2 off road lights and 2 additional driving lights (something for when I'm in town).. Position them right so I'm not blinding drivers.. Then I could grab some screening material from home depot (the stuff put on window screens) and crazy glue that to the backside of my front clip and bam.. Bug guard..

Whatcha think ??!?

 

honestly if you dont mind lookn like a complete redneck it sounds good!!!lol
but you will have a problem with the new lights protruding out the grill therefore pushing the screen material forward also..if it were me i would purchase some hi output running lights to mount below the front bupmper..

 

I'm not sure I'm hip with the screen material. Maybe you could buy a cheap billet grill from flea-bay. I mounted a pair of 6" 150 watt KC daylighters behind mine. https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=45279&width=0 They look a little off center but it's just the angle the pic was taken. There would be room for a total of four if you wanted. I used a piece of 2.5 X 2.5 X 4" long angle and attached it to the radiator support. The bar that you are probably seeing is plastic and might flex some when you hit bumps and stuff. The angle iron works perfect.

 

I'll post a picture of what I did with my driving lights: cut holes in the honecomb grill (WHAT??!! YOU CUT INTO THE GRILL??!!) and mounted them to that aforementioned bar. Absolutely no light vibration, btw! First person to comment on them confirmed the look I was going for - they reminded him of those early Mach 1 Mustangs.

 

not sure about your XL, but I had to cut the center of mine out w/ a dremel and hacksaw. I've seen pics of several trucks done like Speakers and it looks GOOD. Thinking about getting me a new surround w/ the honeycomb and doing mine like it.

 

I ran my truck for a LOOONG time without a honeycomb center grille (when I bolted on my '03 bumper and grille surround) and everyone either thought it was wrecked or someone stole the grille. I had several people I work with come and tell me "Hey man, someone stole your grille."