So when I got off work I decided to take off the factory grill. I was going to plastidip it. Sure I could have left it on and just blocked off the radiator but I like taking things apart and putting them back together so I set off with the task of taking my grill off for the first time.

Removed the 6 screws and 2 bolts. Easy, but it wasn't coming off. A little research taught me there are clips at the top of the grill. Well ok, there were clips on the tailgate F150. No biggy, some pulling and I'm good to go.

Wrong. I broke 4/5 clips. So how &#^$;ed am I? When I bolt this thing back on will it rattle? If so how bad?

Bittersweet picture below.

 

Those clips are only there to allow assembly line workers to pop the grill in place so they can use both hands to install the bolts that hold it on.

No worries.

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Best news of the night. Thanks Rnlcomp.

 

I question your explanation of their purpose ... otherwise there would be no need for 5 if it was just an assembly line aid. *Flies in the face of FoMoCo co$t minimization.

Suspect that in addition to being an assembly line aid, they also aid in securing the top portion of the grille and limiting its in/out movement caused by aerodynamics.

Somewhat agree, however, my experience has been with a maximum of 1 missing/broken. I think that frmt will have to install it and just find-out the hard way (unless someone else has more experience with more broken/missing tabs).
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If it starts to rattle just fold up some tap and place it between the grille and the hood. Should take away the gap that the clips would eliminate. It should stay secure to the hood frame with the remaining bolts.

 

You obviously do not understand how the assembly line works.

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Have I ever worked one - NO.

So .... Enlighten us oh great master.
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Before an argument starts, can't you buy replacement clips??
There's a ton of guys that have broken the clips and not one of them had any issues when reinstalling.
OP, you will be fine. Post a pic of the grille when it's dipped and installed.

 

Looks like the clips are part of the grill. Will do, I'll post pics as soon as it's painted.

 

Because the "clips" are actually molded plastic tabs and part of the grille. They have spring steel clips that slide-over/grip them and secure the top of the grille to the hood via corresponding slots.





And how many of those had 4 of the 5 missing/broken? Besides ... Installing wouldn't be the issue ...

And as Wdubose noted ... If there was a rattle / gap issue, applying some 3M™ double-sided attachment tape may resolve the issue.

As noted ... Have experience with 1 not being there and it wasn't an issue and this may (?) also hold true for 4, however .....

Am currently working on another grille mod' and it's surround is missing 2 tabs. Have entertained the idea of fabricating the missing tabs out of sheet metal and attaching them with JBWeld. But before I go that far, will just see how the -2 tabs grille does in a before-it-gets-painted trial.
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