STX Grille on an XLT

[ktrain]

This is just a proof of concept post and to see if anyone needs the encouragement. I looked long and hard and found plenty of people posting asking about it but no examples of it actually being done - the STX to XLT grille swap. I bought an OEM 2021 STX grille from a dealer (comes primed from the factory) for around $600 and had it painted agate black to match my truck for $250. The dealer I bought it from and the paint shop both gave me a hard time since it was "incompatible". I'm glad they didn't scare me off because the job was simple, plenty of videos of the grille being removed and if you follow them you will succeed. The grilles are 100% interchangeable with no modification required. (p.s. if anyone wants the grille I'm in SC and willing to sell/ship)

Another part I'll mention since I did it during the grille replacement was fitting the black appearance package OEM Ford badge pictured. It's technically for a 2020, but I can tell you if you are even remotely handy it is an easy retrofit. The only fitment difference is behind the badge where the front camera sits, I had to glue it in place in the actual emblem so it's seated correctly and there's no difference from factory. I'm impatient, who knows how long before the 2022 BAP badges will be available lol

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[ssimpala1901]

Looks good!
Do you have a before and after picture to compare?

~Mike

 

[SupraVu]

Well done. All it needs now are the 20'' XLT charcoal wheels. (They're going for 800 bux shipped on eBay)

 

[ktrain]

Looks good!
Do you have a before and after picture to compare?

~Mike

This isn't my truck but this is the grille on the XLT that it came with. See this compared to now. I really didn't like the plasticky grille look of the old one but its really just personal preference. I liked the STX grilles better on the last generation F150s too.

 

[ktrain]

Well done. All it needs now are the 20'' XLT charcoal wheels. (They're going for 800 bux shipped on eBay)

Funny enough my dad gave me crap for not ordering them factory lol but I really like these rims better. Definitely new KO2s coming though once I can get a level and fit some 34s...

 

[SupraVu]

Do you plan on getting those mirror caps color matched?

 

[ktrain]

Do you plan on getting those mirror caps color matched?

Eventually. I have a long list of things to do, mostly just waiting on parts to come in.

 

[Graygoose2021]

Looks good, Yes, the STX to XLT has been done on videos, weird the dealer didnt know that.

So those are the black emblems, they fit front and rear, no issues?

 

[ktrain]

Looks good, Yes, the STX to XLT has been done on videos, weird the dealer didnt know that.

So those are the black emblems, they fit front and rear, no issues?

Just a small bit of modification to get the camera lined up on the front emblem but all clips/pins line up the same so it fits perfect.

 

[Graygoose2021]

perfect, my STX doesn't have camera, looking at getting these when headlights come in. Do the swap then

 

[miguel0oo]

XLT with STX Grille.

- Blackout Headlights & Emblems.
-Air Dam removed.

 

[FrankThompson]

XLT with STX Grille.

- Blackout Headlights & Emblems.
-Air Dam removed.

How did you black out the headlights?

 

[miguel0oo]

How did you black out the headlights?

I heated the headlights in the oven, opened them, sanded, applied promoter, primer and paint. And put them back together with glue for headlights.

 

[NH_Leadfoot]

,

So the headlights can be baked to separate the lens from the housing...no cutting involved?

 

[Mtnman1]

Looks good, Yes, the STX to XLT has been done on videos, weird the dealer didnt know that.

So those are the black emblems, they fit front and rear, no issues?

Any of of the F150 grills are swapable for any given year.

Its not like ford uses 20 different front clips for each model.

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