BAMF 3rd Gen Recessed Raptor Style Grille

Yes were still at least 12 weeks out.

Yes anyone that scratches the coating when installing you will get rust if they get wet.

 

What do you recommend to stop/prevent the rust?

 

Just got my grill installed! Looks great and for anyone wondering what a silver insert looks like, here you go...

 

You will need to touch up anywhere that the coating was scratched off the same way if you had a rock chip in your truck it needs to be touched up or rust will form.

Really any paint will work a clear touch up pen should seal it up.

 

Or you can do what I do occasionally and use a thin sheet of rubber or rubber band to act as a barrier when screwing parts in. Should prevent any damage to the heads of the screws.

 

So the screws should be tight enough to hold the thing together but not so tight that it scratches the powdercoating. Am I right? Any tips or tricks to avoid scratching? I saw @TacoBrute recommended rubber bands. Should we be using loctite on the screws?

 

Mine came with some rubber grommets that protect it and seat into the holes. Here's a pic.

 

@JLee

Any issues with changing address? I ordered back on thanksgiving but may be moving across the country in a month.

 

Grille came in today and very eager to get it installed, but want to make sure I take my time and do it right. I don't have a heated garage and temps in my neck of the woods are expected to be around 20 F tonight when I get home from work. I was thinking about taking the entire grille off and taking it inside to warm up for awhile before trying to remove any of the plastic tabs. Then installing the BAMF grille inside as well before putting the entire assembly back on the truck. Any thoughts? I think weekend temps here are supposed to get into single digits, so it'll only get worse from here.

 

Installed mine last night.
Word to the wise... After getting the rubber grommets started like the install link shows, and then threading 3 of the long screws all the way to the top, and my fingers aching... I was like what am I doing. Went and got my drill, put in the proper bit, held the rubber grommet and screwed the screw into the rubber grommet very slowly... Much better than sitting there turning it by hand.

Also, I hope I got the long screw location right. Wasn't really defenitive locations for them, other than trial and error... Mine are on the top and bottom, the most outer hole on each side (2 on top & 2 on bottom), NOT the two side holes on each side. The mini black washers I used, one on each side, the bottom hole of the two side holes, if I remember correctly, and one on the top center hole (so 3 total). Was able to use the larger washers for everything else.

After getting everything right, I thought I may have over tightened the screws, as one side was more recessed than the other, and it wasn't very symmetrical. So I loosened them a bit, and still nothing... Went to put the grill back on and herd a pop while I was fiddling with it, and it must have popped in place, because it all looks great now.

As far as tightening, I just did it till I felt they were snug. The little rubber grommet part on the outside of the grille, by the head of the screw, would flatten out, almost looks like a washer. If it flipped up to kind of surround the screw head, I figured I had over tightened and backed off a bit.

Don't think there's any need for loctite, as the nuts are locking nuts.

**Edit**
This should help some. Red circles are were I put the long bolts, hopefully in the right spot (was able to get a lock nut on everything). Blue circles are were I had to use the small black washers, because the larger ones wouldn't fit. Hope this helps.



F.Y.I. this is not my truck, mine is black. Pictures later today after I take it in for the 10K service and it gets a free wash.

 

I did it in my garage last night, it was in the 40's here. Probably would have been better to do it inside where it was warmer, that way the plastic wouldn't be contracting, and everything would be the same temp... Don't know if that makes a difference, but sounds logical.

 

Ok, got her cleaned up a bit today at the dealer when I took her in for the 10K service. Installed the grille last night, so everyone at the dealership could look at it and be jealous.



Looks so damn good! @JLee it was totally worth the wait. Thank You!

 

I did the same locations when I did mine last night.

 

No just reply to the order confirmation with the new address once you move and I can update it on my end.

 

@JLee I think this has been asked before but I was wondering when the back-plates for the eco grill were going to be sold separately. Also any idea how much they are going to cost?

 

Hopefully will get mine installed today. Came packaged extremely well btw. Appreciate the quality all around...

 

Glad to hear it i personally packed all that went out last week.

 

Quick snap I took this morning in my parking garage. Love this grill.

 

I got mine yesterday and that packaging was some of the best packaging I've ever seen. I was concerned that UPS was going to be rough with it and it was going to arrive with chipped powder coat or something but it arrived perfectly intact in large part due to the secure packing BAMF used. very impressed

 

Installed my economy grille and loving it! Truck is covered with salt from PA roads and not loving that. Will have to post another pic with the truck cleaned up tomorrow. Grille looks amazing. Thanks @JLee !!