Steelcraft Automotive 51360 User Manual
PARTS LIST:
1
Grille Guard
2
12mm x 35mm Bolt Plates
1
Driver/Left Frame Mounting Bracket
1
12mm ID x 42mm x 42mm x 5.75mm Square
Washer
1
Passenger/Right Frame Mounting Bracket
2
3/8-16" x 1-1/4" Quick Release Bolts
1
Driver/Left Top Bracket
4
12mm Plastic Washers
1
Passenger/Right Top Bracket
4
3/8" x 1-1/4" Plastic Washers
1
Driver/Left Top Support Bracket
10
12-1.75mm x 35mm Hex Bolts
1
Passenger/Right Top Support Bracket
12
12mm x 32mm OD x 3mm Flat Washers
1
Driver/Left Top Support Brace
12
12mm Lock Washers
1
Passenger/Right Top Support Brace
2
12mm Hex Nuts
1
50mm x 75mm x 1.0mm Adhesive Foam Tape
4
3/8" x 1-1/4" OD Flat Washers
2
12mm Double Nut Plates
2
3/8-16" Nylon Lock Nuts
Passenger/Right Frame
Mounting Bracket
(2) 12mm Double Nut Plates
Driver/Left Side Frame
Mounting Bracket
Driver/Left
Top Bracket
Passenger/Right
Top Bracket
Driver/Left
Top Support
Bracket
Passenger/
Right Top
Support
Bracket
(2) 12mm x 35mm Bolt Plates
(2) 3/8-16" x 1-1/4"
Quick Release Bolts
(1) 12mm ID x 40mm x 40mm x 5mm
Square Washer
Passenger/Right
Top Support Brace
Driver/Left Top
Support Brace
50mm x 75mm x 1.0mm
Adhesive Foam Tape
PROCEDURE:
1. REMOVE CONTENTS FROM BOX. VERIFY ALL PARTS ARE PRESENT. READ INSTRUCTIONS
CAREFULLY BEFORE STARTING INSTALLATION. ASSISTANCE IS RECOMMENDED. CUTTING
MAY BE REQUIRED (VEHICLES WITHOUT TOW HOOKS). LICENSE PLATE MUST BE
RELOCATED ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ECOBOOST.
2. WARNING! This Grille Guard is designed to swivel forward by partially loosening the Top Bracket
Quick Release Bolts and the upper bolts on the Frame Mounting Brackets when the hood needs to be
opened for service. Make sure that all hardware is fully tightened after closing the hood. Read Page 7,
"Opening and closing of hood," before installing the Grille Guard. NOTE: It may be necessary to
remove/relocate the front license plate and license plate bracket. It is not required, but strongly
recommended. If local/state law requires a license plate, a license plate relocation kit is available.
3. Determine if the vehicle is or is not equipped with factory tow hooks.
Installation on vehicles without Tow Hooks:
a. On some vehicles, it may be necessary to remove the lower plastic portion of the bumper to
gain access to the ends of the frame rails, (Figure 1). An opening in the lower bumper cover will
need to be cut out, (if closed), to allow the Mounting Brackets to pass through. Do not trim the
GRILLE GUARD
2009-013 F-150
Page 1 of 7 1/31/13 Rev 5(DP)
GRILLE GUARD
2009-013 F-150
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.
Page 2 of 7 1/31/13 Rev 5(DP)
GRILLE GUARD
(Fig 1) Lower bumper cover for
vehicles without tow hooks pictured
(Fig 2A) Insert Nut Plate through opening
in end of frame (NOTE: Tow hook model
pictured for instruction purposes only)
Fig 2B
2009-013 F-150
a. On vehicles without tow hooks: Temporarily remove the Grille Guard. Hold the plastic lower
bumper cover up in approximate position against the bottom of the bumper, (If cover was
previously removed in Step 3a). Mark the Bracket location onto the back of the bumper cover.
Cut slots through the cover to clear the Brackets, (Figure 15). IMPORTANT: For best results,
start with a small opening and only trim away material required for Bracket clearance. Once
properly trimmed, reinstall plastic bumper cover with factory hardware.
b. Reinstall the Grille Guard.
13. Release the levers on the Quick Release Bolts, (Figure 16A), and loosen the top Hex Bolts on the
Frame Mounting Bracket. WARNING! Do not loosen the bolts all the way. Loosen hardware only
enough to move the Grille Guard. Damage to the truck or Grille Guard may occur.
14. Pull the Grille Guard forward, away from the vehicle, (Figure 17).
15. Carefully close the hood and check for clearance between the Top Bracket and the factory grille. Adjust
the Brackets for fit as necessary. IMPORTANT: Always make sure that the hood and grill will clear the
Grille Guard before closing the hood.
16. Push the Grille Guard back towards the vehicle until it is vertical, check the alignment again and adjust
the Grille Guard as required. Tighten all Mounting Bracket hardware including the Quick Release Bolts,
(Figure 16B).
17. 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.
Driver Side Installation Pictured
Page 3 of 7 1/31/13 Rev 5(DP)
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