KNOCKOFF Ford Ranger Raptor Grille

[Mobius97]

Got mine installed last night! Pretty easy swap, ~30mins. I don't see everyone's fuss about the bottom and side tabs being so hard to dislodge. I stuck my arm in and using a precision screw driver under my thumb, working right to left, pushed down and with the other hand on the outside of the grill, pulled out. Easy peasy!

I started the install of the @Stage3Motorsports "Raptor-Style Lights for Raptor Grilles" but looks like I will need to install and fab up some type of mounting point, ugh. My upper tabs are just like the stock grill and are molded, not screwed on. The Stage 3 bracket uses the upper tab's screws as a mounting point. There went the easy mount solution. Will post pics when I get everything situated. So far loving the new look!

EDIT: I just wanted to clarify that I did not buy my grille from Stage 3. I bought from a Ford dealership. Just an FYI for anyone buying these lights to double check the grille mounting solution.

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[sbacpo]

grille from rangergrille.com. went in easier than stock one came out.

Looks good. Did you paint it yourself?

 

[Slim]

grille from rangergrille.com. went in easier than stock one came out.

Did you get the FORD painted or stickers?

 

[Vnersesi]

grille from rangergrille.com. went in easier than stock one came out.

Did you paint the letters, or did you buy it with the blue letters?
Rangergrille.com shows they have blue letters now.

 

[koly]

Knowing this grille is made from ABS plastic, anyone have an idea how these would hold up against colder temperatures. Being from Canada, we get some harsh temperatures at times. Just worried about possible cracking or other negative effects from really cold temperatures.

 

[FULLSCALE]

Knowing this grille is made from ABS plastic, anyone have an idea how these would hold up against colder temperatures. Being from Canada, we get some harsh temperatures at times. Just worried about possible cracking or other negative effects from really cold temperatures.

I don’t think it’d be an issue here. I’m not sure what type, but the stock grilles are plastic too!

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Knowing this grille is made from ABS plastic, anyone have an idea how these would hold up against colder temperatures. Being from Canada, we get some harsh temperatures at times. Just worried about possible cracking or other negative effects from really cold temperatures.

Hi Koly,

You have a very valid concern. The Ranger Grill has gone through exhaustive testing in environments from baking extreme cold to heat and proven itself. What the chemistry of the material is, I cannot say, but having a Material area under me, I realized how there are significant difference in a generalized area of such as ABS. Thus, I love the Raptor knockoff grill, but fear it is of inferior material and thus I will stick with the proven material. The OEM Grill supplier has to adhere to Ford production standards and are required to show production capability among things at the parameters defined by the Ford testing. Aftermarket parts do not have to meet Ford Standards, so I will not convert my Ranger until the grill is proven it meets Ford Standards, and in this case, offered by Ford Performance. Bless your heart to those of you that have adopted this grill as it looks so good. I hope it lasts you for the life of the vehicle! I will be a hold out for above stated reasoning.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[JimAFret]

Did you paint the letters, or did you buy it with the blue letters?
Rangergrille.com shows they have blue letters now.

late reply. Buddy's shop painted mine. Letters are separate from grille and easier for DIYers to do 2 color paint jobs. being old and lazy I had it done.

 

[TheMarkP]

Knowing this grille is made from ABS plastic, anyone have an idea how these would hold up against colder temperatures. Being from Canada, we get some harsh temperatures at times. Just worried about possible cracking or other negative effects from really cold temperatures.

Who cares it’s cheap enough to where if it last 3-4 years buy another or refresh it with a coat of flat black paint

 

[FULLSCALE]

Who cares it’s cheap enough to where if it last 3-4 years buy another or refresh it with a coat of flat black paint

They’re not cheap in Canadian dollars!

 

[TheMarkP]

They’re not cheap in Canadian dollars!

Compared to oem. Sorry

 

[Wolverines]

Are the screws for the brackets the same for the letters?
Mine seemed to been lost after paint.

 

[Mobius97]

Hi Koly,

You have a very valid concern. The Ranger Grill has gone through exhaustive testing in environments from baking extreme cold to heat and proven itself. What the chemistry of the material is, I cannot say, but having a Material area under me, I realized how there are significant difference in a generalized area of such as ABS. Thus, I love the Raptor knockoff grill, but fear it is of inferior material and thus I will stick with the proven material. The OEM Grill supplier has to adhere to Ford production standards and are required to show production capability among things at the parameters defined by the Ford testing. Aftermarket parts do not have to meet Ford Standards, so I will not convert my Ranger until the grill is proven it meets Ford Standards, and in this case, offered by Ford Performance. Bless your heart to those of you that have adopted this grill as it looks so good. I hope it lasts you for the life of the vehicle! I will be a hold out for above stated reasoning.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

I love your candour and knowledgeable expertise Phil! I purchased one of these grilles (why do folks keep saying grill ;p ) from a Ford dealership online. Everyone is selling these things like hotcakes. They absolutely look great and are a direct swap, no fitment issues whatsoever but I definently see what you are saying and where you're coming from.

These are NO WHERE NEAR OEM quality. That's not to say they are bad, hell I got one installed and love the looks! I do wonder about longevity. Meaning how are the tabs going to hold up, they're not as robust as the stocker and I can see the small screws holding them in cracking the weak bases over time thru vibrations. The paint leaves a lot to be desired unless you pay to to have it redone adding costs but even with all that....it looks spot on. I've got my stocker put away in bubble wrap for that rainy day if it does structurally fail.

 

[Popeyejon]

Thanks Josh and John for the video and tab pics. Thanks to Joe for a pristine grille. N

ow for some bugs...

 

[Sunpilot]

Where did you guys buy your Raptor style grilles from? I see a number of sources. Just wondering which is a good quality with easy installation and good fitment. Did they include the letters, and are the letters removable for painting? My truck is due in about two weeks and I'm anxious to get started with mods already. Thanks for your replies

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