Thoughts? At first I was on the fence, but once I looked at it from a distance I think I really like the 3-bar grill.

 

They both look good. However the three bar looks a little better in my opinion.

 

Yeah I agree. My 6-bar grew on me but I think I do like the 3-bar better. Defineitely changes the look.

 

Looks good, would look even better if the surround was ptm.
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I was going to say that, ya beat me to it!

 

I agree, but I don't trust myself to paint the chrome myself and it's not in the budget to have a body shop do it right now. I really think Ford got a bit carried away with the amount of chrome on the grills. My '99 XLT had 0 chrome in the grill, these new ones are 100% chrome. Where's the in-between? I understand they are part of the "chrome package" but that's like 95% of the trucks on the road. Chrome package must be standard issue in every dealer ordered truck.

 

Yes, Ford went right over the top with chrome. The only truck I could get in red, was with the chrome package. I've managed to rid the truck of a lot of it, but still would have preferred none.
Nothing wrong with chrome, but within reason please.

 

The way I did mine was to find a used grille that had the surround already painted, then I just used that on my xlt grille after blacking out the grid below the chrome bars.





I took the remaining parts and assembled them for resale. Total out of pocket cost was about $50 or so.





Only thing to keep in mind is you will want to use the same year model grille for both recipient/donor.
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Rnlcomp, thanks for the idea, that is actually a plan of mine. The 2012 6-bar grill I replaced is actually all one piece. The 3-bar grill is off a 2014 King Ranch and two pieces, so I believe a 2013 or 2014 surround would work with this insert. Unfortunately my truck is Red Candy Metallic, which is only a 2011-2012 color, so any surround I find would have to be painted. However , if I could find a good deal on a '13-'14 surround or entire grill I would buy it and get it painted.

On another note, my wife just took my truck to the store and I stared at it backing out of the driveway and I deffinetly like the 3-bar grill more than the 6-bar, updates the look of the truck.