Steelcraft Automotive 51360 GRILL GUARD - Manual (Page 2)

GRILLE GUARD
2009-013 F-150
Page 2 of 7 1/31/13 Rev 5(DP)
plastic cover until after the Lower Mounting Brackets have been installed and properly aligned
on the vehicle, (See Step 12a for instructions). Insert the 12mm Double Nut Plate through the
opening in the front of the frame, (driver and passenger side). Line up the threaded holes with
the two holes in the bottom of the frame, (Figures 2A & 2B).
b. Driver side Frame Bracket installation: Bolt the Frame Bracket to the Double Nut Plate with
the supplied (2) 12mm x 35mm Hex Bolts, (2) 12mm Flat Washers and (2) 12mm Lock
Washers, (Figure 4). Snug but do not tighten the hardware at this time.
c. Passenger side Frame Bracket installation: In the rearmost location, bolt the Frame Bracket
to the Double Nut Plate with the supplied (1) 12mm x 35mm Hex Bolt, (1) 12mm Flat Washer
and (1) 12mm Lock Washer. In the forward location, use (1) 12mm x 35mm Hex Bolt, (1) 12mm
Lock Washer and (1) Square Spacer Plate to cover the large opening in the Mounting Bracket,
(Figures 5A & 5B). Snug but do not tighten the hardware at this time.
d. Do not reinstall the plastic lower bumper cover at this time if removed, (See Step 12a).
Installation on vehicles with Factory Tow Hooks:
a. Remove the factory tow hooks, (Figure 3). NOTE: This Grille Guard is not compatible with the
factory tow hooks and they will not be reinstalled.
Driver side Frame Bracket installation: Repeat Step 3b, (see above).
Passenger side Frame Bracket installation: Repeat Step 3c, (see above).
4. Move the driver side and passenger side Frame Mounting Brackets in as far as possible, (loosen
hardware slightly if necessary).
5. Next, open the hood on the vehicle and locate the top of the bumper bracket. Locate the open outer
hole in the bracket, (Figure 6). Insert (1) 12mm x 35mm Bolt Plate into the gap at the top of the bracket
and out through the hole with the threaded end facing to the rear (Figures 7A & 7B). Place the driver
side Top Support Bracket over the threaded end of the Bolt Plate and secure with (1) 12mm Flat
Washer, (1) 12mm Lock Washer and (1) 12mm Hex Nut, (Figure 8). Snug but do not tighten hardware.
6. Cover the top of the plastic bumper with removable tape, (masking tape), during installation, (Figure
10). Also place a piece of Foam Tape on the bottom of both Top Brackets any place that the Bracket
may come in contact with the plastic bumper to prevent damage to the painted finish on the vehicle
7. Select the driver side Top Support Brace. Remove the factory hex bolt in the radiator mount. Bolt the
Support Brace in place with the factory hex bolt, (Figure 9). Leave loose at this time. Select the driver
side Top Bracket and insert it between the Support Bracket and the Rear Brace. Line up the holes in
the (3) Brackets and bolt together with (1) 12mm x 35mm Hex Bolt, (1) 12mm Flat Washer and (1)
12mm Lock Washer, (Figure 10). Do not tighten hardware at this time.
8. Repeat Steps 5 - 7 for passenger side Top Bracket, Support Bracket and Brace installation.
9. With help, place the Grille Guard face down on a clean surface in front of the vehicle, (Figure 11).
Position the mounting tabs on the Grille Guard up to the outside of the Mounting Brackets. Line up the
lower holes in the Frame Mounting Brackets with the holes in the Grille Guard. Insert (1) 12mm Plastic
Washer between the Mounting Bracket and the Grille Guard on both Brackets and bolt together with the
included (2) 12mm x 35mm Hex Bolts, (2) 12mm Lock Washers, (4) 12mm Flat Washers and (3) 12mm
Hex Nuts, (Figure 12). Snug but do not tighten hardware at this time.
10. With assistance, use the two previously installed Hex Bolts as a hinge and rotate the Grille Guard up to
the vehicle, (Figure 11). Line up the remaining holes in the Brackets with the holes in the Grille Guard.
Insert a 12mm Plastic Washer between the Mounting Bracket and the Grille Guard on both sides of the
vehicle as described in Step 9. Bolt the Brackets together with (2) 12mm x 35mm Hex Bolts, (2) 12mm
Lock Washers, (4) 12mm Flat Washers and (2) 12mm Hex Nuts. Do not tighten hardware at this time.
11. Next, line up the slotted hole in the Top Bracket with the hole in the Grille Guard upright. Insert (1) 3/8"
Plastic Washer between the Top Bracket and the Grille Guard, (Figure 13). Line up the hole in the
Plastic Washer with the hole in the Grille Guard and the slot in the Top Bracket. Insert (1) 3/8" Quick
Release Bolt and (1) 3/8" Flat Washer through the Grille Guard, Plastic Washer and Top Bracket.
Secure the Quick Release Bolt with (1) 3/8" Plastic Washer, (to protect the finish on the Top Bracket),
(1) 3/8" Flat Washer and (1) 3/8" Nylon Lock Nut, (Figures 14A & 14B). Snug but do not tighten at this
time. Repeat this step for the passenger side Quick Release installation.
12. With the hood open, push the Grille Guard back until it is vertical. Align, center and adjust the Grille
Guard properly and tighten all Mounting Bracket and Support Bracket hardware.