Lower grille insert

[Rinn69]

After looking at my lower radiator after only 6K miles, I realized that this should have been the very first mod I ever made. I took the extra step of putting heavy stainless steel screen behind it for added protection.

@CapnRon How did you fasten/secure the mesh ? I'm going to do the same with a little bigger mesh size once my lower grille gets here. Thanks !!

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[CapnRon]

@CapnRon How did you fasten/secure the mesh ? I'm going to do the same with a little bigger mesh size once my lower grille gets here. Thanks !!

I used the 3M automotive trim adhesive tape. I laid 3 strips across the back
of the grill insert. Then I used an exact-o knife to cut out the excess tape from the grill
openings. I cleaned the surfaces well and used the adhesion promoter. It's a good bond
now and I suspect it will hold up but only time will tell. My pickup is not a daily
driver and really only sees a couple hundred miles a month and is stored inside.
We'll see how it holds up.

 

[Firestud5]

Well, I was going to wait for the mountains to metal with ACC opening, but got the Putco instead. i really took my time and put it in. Took about a hour. It did come out really good. All of the clips stayed on the metal frame, so I did have to pull those off and put them back on the facia. That’s what took the longest.

 

[LaKings]

Well, I was going to wait for the mountains to metal with ACC opening, but got the Putco instead. i really took my time and put it in. Took about a hour. It did come out really good. All of the clips stayed on the metal frame, so I did have to pull those off and put them back on the facia. That’s what took the longest.

Looks great and I see you have the license plate bracket in place. The stage 3 site says installing this grill will require that we (californians) will need to relocate our license plate bracket. Is this true? It looks as if this wasn't an issue for you.

 

[Firestud5]

No issue what’s so ever. Never had to relocate the license plate and went back to the original location.

 

[Sandman Ranger]

Looks great and I see you have the license plate bracket in place. The stage 3 site says installing this grill will require that we (californians) will need to relocate our license plate bracket. Is this true? It looks as if this wasn't an issue for you.

No issue.

 

[agbulling]

These lower grille inserts caught my eye. Although I like all the mods that people have made, I don’t want to mess with adding more lighting in that space and possibly lose the adaptive cruise control. Has anyone installed this? I would like to see some installed pics.
https://www.stage3motorsports.com/8...er-Grille-Insert-Adaptive-Cruise-Control.html

View attachment 30563

The one shown is not for adaptive cruise control. The one for adaptive cruise control has the center section missing. Because it is metal it would interfere with the operation.

 

[NvrFinished]

After looking at my lower radiator after only 6K miles, I realized that this should have been the very first mod I ever made. I took the extra step of putting heavy stainless steel screen behind it for added protection.

That looks nice, but it will block a lot of airflow to the radiator. This area was left open for a reason. You might want to keep an eye on the water temp during hot days or under load.

 

[BHunted]

That looks nice, but it will block a lot of airflow to the radiator. This area was left open for a reason. You might want to keep an eye on the water temp during hot days or under load.

Gonna be a biotch to clean too.

 

[Rinn69]

I went with a larger mesh than @CapnRon used. It's about 1/4" between the wires.

 

[agbulling]

1 . i ordered ABS plastic grill off Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BR0OEOE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1, and
Plastruct A-8 Angle,1/4" (4), PLS90006 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006O09Z6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

2. I cut a template from cardboard to have the opening size and reduce the size by 1/16" top and bottom for the plastic angle. I then sanded to grill to precisely fit the opening.

3. Remove the license plate holder.

4. I removed the lower grill by taking off the skid plate (4) bolts; removed 10mm bolts holding the bottom of the lower grill; and the snaps holding the top of the lower grill. The clips hold the piece on and you can use a plastic trim removal tool to help get them to release. Disconnect the sensor connectors.

5. I glued the grill in place ensuring that the clip and license plate holder holes are not blocked.

6. I marked the placement of the clips before I installed the lower grill assembly so I would know where to apply pressure.

Everything works fine because it is plastic and not metal it does not interfere with the operation of the Adaptive Cruise Control.

 

[NvrFinished]

1 . i ordered ABS plastic grill off Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BR0OEOE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1, and
Plastruct A-8 Angle,1/4" (4), PLS90006 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006O09Z6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

2. I cut a template from cardboard to have the opening size and reduce the size by 1/16" top and bottom for the plastic angle. I then sanded to grill to precisely fit the opening.

3. Remove the license plate holder.

4. I removed the lower grill by taking off the skid plate (4) bolts; removed 10mm bolts holding the bottom of the lower grill; and the snaps holding the top of the lower grill. The clips hold the piece on and you can use a plastic trim removal tool to help get them to release. Disconnect the sensor connectors.

5. I glued the grill in place ensuring that the clip and license plate holder holes are not blocked.

6. I marked the placement of the clips before I installed the lower grill assembly so I would know where to apply pressure.

Everything works fine because it is plastic and not metal it does not interfere with the operation of the Adaptive Cruise Control.

Great job!

 

[priceman14]

For those of you who installed the Putco lower grill insert, what size fasteners did you use in the license plate bracket?

I tried license plate screws, and those didn't seem to fit. Using a thread checker, it seemed like the threads in the bracket are either M5 or M6. Thanks!

 

[acsnowrider]

Installed this, few months back. Current summer temps, have exceeded 118 degrees on some days--No issues with cooling, and cleaning is a breeze!!!

 

[Rick - Saber]

For those of you who installed the Putco lower grill insert, what size fasteners did you use in the license plate bracket?

I tried license plate screws, and those didn't seem to fit. Using a thread checker, it seemed like the threads in the bracket are either M5 or M6. Thanks!

I used the ones that came with the truck and were in a baggy in the glove box.

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