RTR Grille + Install?

[Ground Speed]

I've had my Mustang for going on 4 months now and am ready for my first (cosmetic) mod. I'm leaning towards the American Muscle RTR upper and lower grille. I love the look and while the price is a bit high, it's on par with other options that in my opinion don't look as good.

My issue is installation. I've read some threads here and watched a few YouTube front fascia removal videos and no one seems to agree on what the steps are and whether or not it is as hard as some people are alluding to. Some videos say "remove these screws" and then there's a comment that says "don't remove those two screws!" No one seems to agree, or there isn't a definitive front fascia removal video that I've found.

I'm probably going end up going to either a performance shop or an auto body shop to get them to quote it for me, but I know I'll save a buck or two if I can just buy a shop manual, a couple wrenches and ramps, and do it myself.

BTW I only know enough to get myself into trouble when it comes to cars. I can do things like change oil, tires, batteries, etc, but nothing on this scale and not for a brand new beautiful car. The last thing I'd want to do is the drive of shame to a shop with the front fascia in the trunk because I couldn't get it back on - or worse, if I broke it.

Thoughts?

:cheers:

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[Stam616]

Dangerous I think is the operative word here. If you're not confident, then you shouldn't attempt it IMO. I too can change oil and do small things but when I change my grill I'll pay the extra to have it done by a professional so that should something go wrong, they will be responsible. As easy as some make it look, I would be too afraid I'd break a clip or something equally dumb. That's my two cents lol

 

[Ground Speed]

Dangerous I think is the operative word here. If you're not confident, then you shouldn't attempt it IMO. I too can change oil and do small things but when I change my grill I'll pay the extra to have it done by a professional so that should something go wrong, they will be responsible. As easy as some make it look, I would be too afraid I'd break a clip or something equally dumb. That's my two cents lol

This is what I'm thinking too. I'll start pricing local shops here in Austin.

Thanks! :cheers:

 

[AMAlexLazarus]

Hey [MENTION=20310]Ground Speed[/MENTION]

Take a look at the Install Guide here. It's not that bad and it's the first I've heard of "what to do with the screws" If anything I don't think I shop would charge too much to have this installed, there's about a couple hours or less for the install.

Let me know if you have any other questions/concerned and I'm here to help.

Alex

 

[Crazy Horse]

I did mine and it was fun. Lots of screws, mainly on the belly pan and bottom of bumper. The 2 PITA screws are the worst part. I used a 7mm ratcheting wrench and it wasn't that hard. If you take the front tires off it's easier to get to them. I did mess up 3 push pins which I'm going to replace soon.

Try it and save that $$$, plus it's fun. Wish I lived near ya, I'd help you do it.

I used:
Jack Rails, Jack and 2 Jack Stands. Made it easier for me to get to the bottom screws and pins.

.

.

 

[nunu1919]

I knew nothing about cars before getting this mustang and I've done every single mod myself except for the tint. Everything from changing out grilles and cold air intake, to exhaust, spark plugs and installing hood struts. It really isn't very hard to take off the bumper. The first time it took me about 45 minutes only because I had to figure out where all the screws were, but now I can do it in less than 15 minutes.

I will say, there are 2 screws behind the front fender area, 1 on each side, that are pretty hard to get to, but it can be done.

 

[free]

Nothing hard about it, just takes time. Lethal Performance has a nice write up on how to remove the bumper. Like others have said, the two 7mm bolts on the fenders are in a hard to reach spot, use a 1/4 inch ratchet with a shallow socket and it should be pretty simple to get off, you only need to get about 3-4 turns before you can turn them by hand. Honestly the hardest part for me was getting the actual grille off of the bumper, tons of clips that you can't just pull on but they need to be pushed down then out, that was a bit of a pain but not too bad either. Good luck :cheers:

 

[Chameleon]

Will update you when mine arrive with pics.

 

[suckerv]

I've had my Mustang for going on 4 months now and am ready for my first (cosmetic) mod. I'm leaning towards the American Muscle RTR upper and lower grille. I love the look and while the price is a bit high, it's on par with other options that in my opinion don't look as good.

My issue is installation. I've read some threads here and watched a few YouTube front fascia removal videos and no one seems to agree on what the steps are and whether or not it is as hard as some people are alluding to. Some videos say "remove these screws" and then there's a comment that says "don't remove those two screws!" No one seems to agree, or there isn't a definitive front fascia removal video that I've found.

I'm probably going end up going to either a performance shop or an auto body shop to get them to quote it for me, but I know I'll save a buck or two if I can just buy a shop manual, a couple wrenches and ramps, and do it myself.

BTW I only know enough to get myself into trouble when it comes to cars. I can do things like change oil, tires, batteries, etc, but nothing on this scale and not for a brand new beautiful car. The last thing I'd want to do is the drive of shame to a shop with the front fascia in the trunk because I couldn't get it back on - or worse, if I broke it.

Thoughts?

:cheers:

Here's an install thread from when I did mine a couple weeks ago. Hope it helps! If you choose to do it yourself, feel free to PM me any question. It's really not that hard

http://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43836

 

[notstok5.0]

Not a bad install at all. Suckerv's install thread and Lethal Performance's PDF instructions are very helpful (as are the RTR instructions @ americanmuscle).

 

[AMAlexLazarus]

I did mine and it was fun. Lots of screws, mainly on the belly pan and bottom of bumper. The 2 PITA screws are the worst part. I used a 7mm ratcheting wrench and it wasn't that hard. If you take the front tires off it's easier to get to them. I did mess up 3 push pins which I'm going to replace soon.

Try it and save that $$$, plus it's fun. Wish I lived near ya, I'd help you do it.

I used:
Jack Rails, Jack and 2 Jack Stands. Made it easier for me to get to the bottom screws and pins.

.

.

Piece of cake right !?

Alex

 

[AMAlexLazarus]

Not a bad install at all. Suckerv's install thread and Lethal Performance's PDF instructions are very helpful (as are the RTR instructions @ americanmuscle).

I'm in for more pictures while we have the good weather today!

ALEX

 

[Crazy Horse]

Piece of cake right !?

Alex

Yep, easier than I thought it would be....

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