Steelcraft Automotive 51290 GRILL GUARD - Manual (Page 2)

GRILLE GUARD
04-08 F-150
Page 2 of 6 2/25/13 Rev 1(DP)
Vehicles without Tow Hooks:
a. Remove the lower plastic bumper cover/air dam, (Figure 4).
b. Starting on the driver side of the vehicle, insert (1) 12mm Double Nut Plate through the opening
in the open front end of the frame, (Figures 5A & 5B). Line up the threaded hex nuts on the Nut
Plate with the (2) factory holes in the bottom of the frame channel. Hold the Nut Plate in position
with (1) 12mm x 40mm Hex Bolt, (1) 12mm Lock Washer and (1) 12mm x 44mm Large Flat
Washer partially threaded into the rearmost threaded hole in the Nut Plate, (Figure 6).
c. Select the driver side Frame Mounting Bracket. Slide the slot in the Bracket under the 12mm
Hex Bolt and Washers. Line up the remaining hole in the Bracket with the forward hole in the
Nut Plate. Insert (1) 12mm x 40mm Hex Bolt, (1) 12mm Lock Washer and (1) 12mm x 44mm
Large Flat Washer into the remaining hole in the Bracket, (Figure 6). Snug but do not fully
tighten hardware at this time.
d. Repeat Steps b – c to install the passenger side Frame Bracket.
e. Hold the bumper cover up to the vehicle and mark the location of the (2) Brackets onto the
inside of the cover, (Figures 7 & 8). Carefully cut (2) slots through the cover wide enough to
clear the (2) Brackets, (Figure 9). IMPORTANT: Do not cut through the top or bottom edge of
the cover. Reinstall the cover with the factory hardware.
2. With help position the Grille Guard onto the inside of the Mounting Brackets. Use the included (4)
12mm x 30mm Hex Bolts, (8) 12mm x 32mm STD Flat Washers and (4) 12mm Nylon Lock Nuts to
attach the Grille Guard to the Mounting Brackets, (Figure 3). Do not tighten at this time.
3. Slowly open the hood and check for clearance. Select the appropriate Top Bracket installation:
04 – 05 model years:
a. Locate and remove the factory nut on the top of the bumper bracket. Select the driver side
04-05 Top Bracket, (Figure 10).
b. Apply a section of the included Adhesive Backed Foam Tape to the Bracket in any location
that may come in contact with the bumper or grille, (Figure 10).
c. Attach the Bracket to the bumper bolt with the factory hex nut, (Figure 11). Leave hardware
loose at this time. Repeat Steps a – b for passenger side Support Bracket installation.
06 – 08 model years:
a. Locate the back of the factory bumper bracket, (Figure 12). Select the small driver side 06-
08 Top Mounting Bracket, (Figure 13). Bolt the Bracket to the back of the large factory hole
in the bumper bracket with (1) 12mm x 30mm Hex Bolt, (2) 12mm x 32mm Flat Washers
and (1) 12mm Nylon Lock Nut, (Figures 14A & 14B).
b. Select the driver side 06-08 Top Support Bracket, (Figure 15). Apply a section of the
included Adhesive Backed Foam Tape to the Bracket in any location that may come in
contact with the bumper or grille, (Figure 16).
c. Bolt the Support Bracket to the top of the Mounting Bracket with (1) 10mm x 40mm Hex Bolt,
(1) 10mm Lock Washer and (1) 10mm Large Flat Washer, (Figure 16).
d. Tighten the Top Mounting Bracket to the bumper bracket hardware but leave the Top
Support Bracket loose at this time. Repeat Steps a – c for passenger side installation.
4. Line up the tab on the driver side Top Bracket with the hole in the upright on the Grille Guard. Insert (1)
10mm x 30mm Button Head Bolt with (1) 10mm x 20mm Small Flat Washer through the upright and
Top Bracket. Secure the Bracket to the Grille Guard with (1) 10mm x 30mm Large Flat Washer and (1)
10mm Nylon Lock Nut, (Figures 11 & 17). Leave hardware loose at this time.
5. Repeat Step 4 for passenger side Top Support Bracket to Grille Guard installation.
6. Align and adjust the Grille Guard properly and tighten all hardware.
7. Do periodic inspections to the installation to make sure that all hardware is secure and tight.
To protect your investment, wax this product after installing. Regular waxing is recommended to add a protective layer
over the finish. Do not use any type of polish or wax that may contain abrasives that could damage the finish.
For stainless steel: Aluminum polish may be used to polish small scratches and scuffs on the finish. Mild soap may be
used also to clean the Grille Guard.
For gloss black finishes: Mild soap may be used to clean the Grille Guard.