removing grill
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removing grill
Can someone please tell me how to get the plastic grill out of the front of my Expedition?! It is a 2000 eddie bauer and the black plastic is faded and I want to take it out and paint it, but can't seem to figure out how to do it. Please help.! Thanks in advance. 
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From: middle tennessee
mines a '97 eb but it should be about the same. by the way.....i have done this- in fact changed out the 97 expy grill insert with the stupid inverted c shape to the f-150 insert, body painted to match. looks way better....and very subtle.
so- pull the light tubs. there are screws back there to help release the surround(yes, you will have to remove the surround in order to release and remove the insert). screws also across the top of the fan shroud.
now the hard part. looking under the front of your truck, notice the big honking spring bar at the lower center of the grill surround. you have to release this as the last step in pulling out the surround.
this process should take no longer than 15 minutes or so. look, see, it will be reasonably obvious.
to then release the grill insert to paint- mine had melted plastic tabs, around 20 of them, spread all around the back side of the surround. dremel these off carefully. once painted and ready to re-install your insert, find a body shop with plastic welding capability- they can re-attach grill to surround very simply.
good luck with your project! did mine about 8 years ago and it has held up well.
by the way- you do realize that ford manufactured body colored inserts for your expy? mostly red but i have seen white also. expy sport model i think. wreck yard visit or call might turn up what you are trying to do, but oem.
lakeside
so- pull the light tubs. there are screws back there to help release the surround(yes, you will have to remove the surround in order to release and remove the insert). screws also across the top of the fan shroud.
now the hard part. looking under the front of your truck, notice the big honking spring bar at the lower center of the grill surround. you have to release this as the last step in pulling out the surround.
this process should take no longer than 15 minutes or so. look, see, it will be reasonably obvious.
to then release the grill insert to paint- mine had melted plastic tabs, around 20 of them, spread all around the back side of the surround. dremel these off carefully. once painted and ready to re-install your insert, find a body shop with plastic welding capability- they can re-attach grill to surround very simply.
good luck with your project! did mine about 8 years ago and it has held up well.
by the way- you do realize that ford manufactured body colored inserts for your expy? mostly red but i have seen white also. expy sport model i think. wreck yard visit or call might turn up what you are trying to do, but oem.
lakeside
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Lakeside, Thanks for the help. Sounds complicated but I think with what you told me I can handle it. I looked and looked at that thing over the weekend and could not figure it out. I figured I would have to take that whole front piece off. Did not know Ford sold painted ones, but thats ok, I actually like the black but the thing is all faded to a light gray and looks dumb. Just want to take it out and paint it. Again, thanks for your help. Brian
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