Pre-98 Mesh Grille How-to

[dyaballikl]

(figured this was in the duractec section, but it works for zetecs just as well)

How-to # 2! This is for the pre-98 Tour owners like me who wanted mesh grilles, but all the instructions out there are for 98+'s. Well, today's your day. This is a cheap and easy way to mesh your grille!

Pros: Cheap, easy, quick, 100% reversible, looks cool
Cons: The cheap gutter guard doesn't look quite as good as the expensive stuff, gutter guard is like spring loaded razors and will cut you to shreds if you don't use gloves.

Items needed:
Work Gloves (I use welder's gloves, they work best)
2' x 1' Gutter guard (your choice of design, find it at any home improvement store)
Needle Nose pliers
T-28 Torx bit or screw driver
Tin snips (or anything else that can cut gutter guard)
10mm wrench
Power drill (3/8" bit works)

1. Pop your hood (duh). Use your t-28 bit to remove the 4 screws on top of the grille assembly. Slide grille out.


2. Remove the 2 10mm nuts on the back of the grille to remove the Ford emblem.


3. PUT ON YOUR GLOVES!!! Just trust me on this one. Figure out about how much gutter guard you need to use, measure enough to wrap about 1 1/2" - 2" over each edge, then cut out with the tin snips.


4. Using your needle nose pliers, bend the edges in over the grille. Cut slits around the tabs on the grille. Do this all around the part of the grille that's patterned.


5. Using your pliers, tuck the gutter guard into the holes in the grille, pulling them firmly, to keep it tight.


6. Cut appropriate amounts and bend the rest over the top, so that everything is covered.


7. Put the grille back in place, and, using your drill, drill holes in the mesh where the screw holes are. Make sure the holes are big enough for the screws to fit through, but not so big that they can fit through. Now, replace the 4 screws. When you put the screws on, they help to hold the mesh in place. And, you're done!

[KennyT772]

Nice guide, may be doing it in the next few days.

[zorrex]

Originally Posted by KennyT772

Nice guide, may be doing it in the next few days.

Or you can do what I did. I used a chicken-wire type mesh, and molded it around the stock grille, but I pulled it off the grill and let it sit freeform instead.







Same procedure as above, except it takes a bit of extra work to get it to fit right after you pry it off the stock grille...

[dyaballikl]

Originally Posted by zorrex

Or you can do what I did. I used a chicken-wire type mesh, and molded it around the stock grille, but I pulled it off the grill and let it sit freeform instead.







Same procedure as above, except it takes a bit of extra work to get it to fit right after you pry it off the stock grille...

wow, that's really nice. so, i figure it's time for an update on this. i did my grill many months ago, and it's actually almost completely rust covered at this point. looks a little odd, but i'm just going to redo the procedure. it looked good for about 3-4 months.

[Sable23]

did this to my 97 with aluminum gutter guard. i also did the fake fog thingys... i put the ford emblem back on cause i thought it looked empty but i think i might be putting a spear on it from a taurus so that it matches the spear on my post 98 trunk lid i used fishing line to attach it and it is basically invisible i cant see it when i am looking for it.







also did it to my sable:

[95cgl]

Originally Posted by dyaballikl

wow, that's really nice. so, i figure it's time for an update on this. i did my grill many months ago, and it's actually almost completely rust covered at this point. looks a little odd, but i'm just going to redo the procedure. it looked good for about 3-4 months.

I really like that look, I like it better with the ford logo.

Do they all rust? I haven't ever looked at the gutter guard stuff.. Can you get some that's rust proof or is there something you could put on it? I would get tired of re-doing the grill every 3 months...