2011 F150 EcoBoost Lower Grill Modification
The 2011 F-150 Ecoboost front-end offers no protection for
the turbo intercooler, there is a large opening in the bumper where the front license plate normally resides. Leaving this unprotected from road debris could be
costly. I’ve decided to make a lower grill guard for the intercooler. It’s not
that hard but it is time consuming.
I estimate the cost for the materials for this project is around $25 - $30. Certainly cheaper than the cost of a replacement intercooler.
Tools & Materials Required
- Vice grips
- scissors
- marker
- masking tape
- safety glasses
- wizwheel cutter
- tape measure
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- ratchet
- stubby screwdriver
- air grinder
- cardboard
- a sheet of crosshatch metal
- 1/4 inch wire loom
- an air compressor is also needed (not pictured)
|
First thing you should do is protect the area you will be
working with. Use the masking tape to help protect from scratches while you are
checking for fitment.
Measure the size of the opening and mark your measurements on
the piece of cardboard. You will also need to take into consideration mounting
the piece that will be cut out. I’ve decided to use existing mounting points
that were once used to mount the front license plate.
Lower mounting point:
Upper point (sorry picture’s not that great)
Once your cardboard template is made trace it out onto the metal.
Use the wizwheel cutter to cut the
pattern you traced out.
The next step is to bend back the upper and lower tabs.
These will become your mounting bracket.
Once you have your piece cut and shaped you will need to
test fit and grind down all edges in order to place the wire loom border.
This metal is not stainless steel and needs to be protected
in order to resist rusting.
I used a scotchbright pad to scuff
the metal to better hold the primer.
I gave it 3 coats of primer
Then 3 coats of high heat flat black even though this does
not require high heat paint the ceramic properties of the paint is more durable
than regular spray paint.
After your paint dries take the wire loom and frame out the
entire piece. Sorry I forgot to snap a picture of this step.
1/4 half inch bolts can be used for
the upper mounting point. Lower mounting point requires 1 inch bolts. Be sure
to place a washer on both sides of the metal.
Finished product installed. I’ll need to adjust the mount
position a bit which is easily done. There is forward and backward adjusting
position where it gets bolted on but you get the idea.
Article contributed by 1BusyBoy.
See also: 2011 F150 Forum - EcoBoost V6 Forum - 2011 F150
Keywords: 2011 2012 2013 ford f150 ecoboost f-150 eco boost twin turbo engine hp cooling bumper opening billet grill insert grille diy how to mod
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Add Comment
2011-06-08 at 1:12pm
ecoboost
2011-07-03 at 7:04pm
ecoboost grill mods
2011-07-09 at 7:53pm
2011 F-150 Lower Grill Mod
Nice job. Thanks for popsting the great pictures!
2011-08-23 at 5:44pm
2011-10-13 at 12:08pm
EcoBoost lower grill Mod.
2011-11-04 at 11:05pm
2012-01-04 at 10:13pm
intercooler radiator guard discussion
How is replacing the former license plate area with another license plate bracket going to stop the likes of rocks,dogs, 2X4's, or semi tire shreds? This gapping hole needs sufficient protection, yet also needs to flow copious amounts of air for the intercooler radiator... I am with the "expanded sheet metal group" on this one unless you can further explain yourself.
2012-01-24 at 1:32pm
Retired