How to Remove the Front Grill on a 2003 F150

In 1997, Ford did the unthinkable and completely overhauled the best-selling vehicle in the lineup, the F-150. Not only did the company overhaul it, but changed the look of its pickup altogether, axing the traditional pickup look in favor of a more rounded body style. Fortunately for Ford, this sharp change did not prevent customers from buying the F-150. On the rounded front fascia of the 2003 F-150 the final year of this body design is a grille that protects the radiator and adds style to the truck.

Instructions

Removal

1

Open the F-150s hood and remove the service rod the spare tire tool from its mounting clips. Remove the eight screws holding the upper air dam in place on top of the grille and radiator with a ratchet and socket. Pull the air dam up and out of the engine compartment.

2

Look on the rear of one headlight and find the two retaining stakes L-shaped plastic rods securing it. Pull upward on both retaining stakes on one headlight, and pull the headlight from the front of the truck until you can access the wiring on the rear. Press and hold the unlocking button on the wiring harnesses and pull them from the headlight. Repeat this step on the other headlight.

3

Find the four pin-type retaining clips on the bottom of the grille, just below the headlight. Pry the center outward on each of the four retaining clips with a flat-head screwdriver until the center pin stops moving. Pry all four of the pins from the grille. Repeat this step on the other side of the grille.

4

Remove the 10 grille retaining screws two inside each headlight bed and six across the top of the grille with a ratchet and socket.

5

Grip the vertical bars of the grille firmly, then pull outward on the grille sharply to disengage its retaining clips and remove the grille.

Installation

6

Line the clips in the rear of the grille up with the slots in the front of the F-150. Press firmly on the grille to engage the retaining clips.

7

Hand-tighten the 10 grille-retaining screws, then tighten them with a ratchet and socket, in the following order: two centermost upper screws, the four outermost screws in the headlight beds, then work outward from the centermost upper screws.

8

Insert the eight retaining pins in the underside of the grill four under each headlight and press the center pin on each clip inward until flush with the top of the clip to lock it into place.

9

Plug the wiring harnesses into the bulb sockets on one headlight assembly and set the headlight assembly into its bed on the front of the truck. Hold rearward pressure on the headlight assembly and press downward on its two retaining stakes to secure it into place. Repeat this step on the other headlight assembly.

10

Set the upper air dam in place on top of the grille and radiator, and hand-tighten its eight retaining screws. Secure the eight retaining screws with a ratchet and socket. Reinstall the service rod into its clamps under the hood.