How to Install Barricade Brush Guard - Gloss Black on your F-150

CAREFULLY BEFORE STARTING INSTALLATION. ASSISTANCE IS RECOMMENDED. CUTTING IS REQUIRED ON VEHICLES WITHOUT TOW HOOKS. LICENSE PLATE MUST BE RELOCATED ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ECOBOOST.

WARNING! This Grille Guard is designed to tilt forward to open the hood for service. The Top Bracket

Quick Release Bolts and the upper bolts on the Frame Mounting Brackets will need to be loosened slightly to rotate the Grille Guard. Make sure that all hardware is fully tightened after closing the hood before moving vehicle. Please read Page 8, "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.

1. Determine if the vehicle is or is not equipped with factory tow hooks.
Installation on vehicles with Factory Tow Hooks:

a. Remove the driver side tow hook, (Figure 1). NOTE: This Grille Guard is not compatible with the factory tow hooks and they will not be reinstalled.

b. Insert (1) 12mm x 35mm Hex Bolt, (1) 12mm Lock Washer and (1) 12mm Square Spacer into the rear hole in the bottom of the frame and up into the factory nut plate, (Figures 2A & 2B). Leave completely loose. Select the driver side Frame Mounting Bracket. Slide the slotted end of the Bracket under the Hex Bolt and Square Washer. Insert (1) 12mm x 35mm Hex Bolt, (1) 12mm Lock Washer and (1) 12mm Flat Washer into the remaining forward hole in the Bracket and into the Nut Plate, (Figure 3). Snug but do not tighten the hardware at this time.

c. Repeat Steps a – b for passenger side Frame Bracket installation.
Installation on vehicles without Tow Hooks:

a. Remove the lower plastic portion of the bumper and air dam, (Figure 4).

b. Insert (1) 12mm Double Nut Plate through the opening in the front end of the driver side of the frame, (Figures 5A & 5B). Line up the threaded holes with the holes in the bottom of the frame.

c. Insert (1) 12mm x 35mm Hex Bolt, (1) 12mm Lock Washer and (1) 12mm Square Spacer into the rear hole in the bottom of the frame and up into the Double Nut Plate, (Figures 2A & 2B). Leave completely loose. Select the driver side Frame Mounting Bracket. Slide the slotted end of the Bracket under the Hex Bolt and Square Washer, (Figure 3). Insert (1) 12mm x 35mm Hex Bolt, (1) 12mm Lock Washer and (1) 12mm Flat Washer into the empty remaining forward hole in the Bracket and Nut Plate. Snug but do not tighten the hardware at this time.

d. Repeat Steps a – c for passenger side Frame Mounting Bracket installation.

e. Do not reinstall the plastic lower bumper cover at this time, (See Steps 12a & 12b).

2. Open the front hood on the vehicle. Locate the top of the bumper bracket behind the driver side of the front bumper. Locate the open hole in the top outer end of the bumper bracket, (Figure 6). Insert (1) 12mm x 35mm Bolt Plate down and into the gap at the top of the bracket and out through the hole with the threaded end of the Bolt Plate facing to the rear toward the radiator, (Figures 7A & 7B). Slide the lower end of the driver side Top Support Bracket, (end with hole), over the Bolt Plate. Secure the Bracket to the Bolt Plate with (1) 12mm Flat Washer, (1) 12mm Lock Washer and (1) 12mm Hex Nut, (Figure 8). IMPORTANT: Do not tighten hardware at this time.

NOTE: Before proceeding, cover the top of the plastic bumper, (driver and passenger sides), with removable tape, (masking tape for example), to protect the bumper during Top Bracket installation, (Figure 8). Next, apply a section of the included Adhesive Backed Foam Tape to the bottom of both Top Brackets to prevent damage to the painted finish on the vehicle, (Figure 10).

3. Select the driver side Top Support Brace, (Figure 9A). Remove the factory hex bolt in the radiator mount. Bolt the Support Brace in place with the factory hex bolt, (Figure 9B). Leave loose at this time.

4. Select the driver side Top Bracket. Insert the Top Bracket between the Support Bracket and the Rear Brace, (Figure 10). Line up the (3) holes and bolt the Brackets together with (1) 12mm x 35mm Hex Bolt, (1) 12mm Lock Washer and (1) 12mm Flat Washer, (Figure 9B). IMPORTANT: Do not tighten hardware at this time.

NOTE: It may be necessary to raise or lower the height of the Top Bracket to fit properly between the grille and the top of the bumper. Loosen the 12mm Hex Nut attaching the bottom of the Support Bracket to the Bolt Plate, (Figure 8). Move the Top Bracket up or down as needed to clear the top of the bumper and line up with the Grille Guard before tightening the hardware. Do not fully tighten Top Bracket hardware until after all hardware has been installed and the Grill Guard properly aligned and adjusted.

5. Repeat Steps 2 – 4 for passenger side Top Bracket, Support Bracket and Top Brace installation.

6. With assistance, 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 Frame Mounting Brackets.

7. Line up the rear threaded hole in the driver side Frame Mounting Bracket with the hole in the Grille Guard, (Figure 12). Insert (1) 12mm Plastic Washer between the Mounting Bracket and the Grille Guard. Bolt the Grille Guard to the driver side Bracket with (1) 12mm x 35mm Hex Bolt, (1) 12mm Lock Washer and (1) 12mm Flat Washer, (Figure 12). Snug but do not tighten hardware at this time.

8. Repeat Step 7 to attach the Grill Guard to the passenger side Bracket.

9. Use the two previously installed Hex Bolts as a hinge. Rotate the Grille Guard up to the vehicle, (Figure 11). Line up the remaining hole in each Bracket with 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 7. Bolt the Grille Guard to the Brackets with (2) 12mm x 35mm Hex Bolts, (2) 12mm Lock Washers and (2) 12mm Flat Washers. Do not tighten hardware at this time.

10. Next, line up the slotted end of the driver side Top Bracket with the hole in the Grille Guard upright. Insert (1) 10mm 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) 10mm Quick Release Bolt, (1) 10mm Special Pivot Washer and (1) 10mm Flat Washer through the upright on the Grille Guard first and on through the Plastic Washer and Top Bracket. Secure the Quick Release Bolt with (1) 10mm Plastic Washer, (to protect the finish on the Top Bracket), (1) 10mm Flat Washer and (1) 10mm Nylon Lock Nut, (Figures 14A & 14B). Do not tighten hardware at this time.

11. Repeat Step 10 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.
Vehicles without tow hooks:

a. Once the Frame Brackets are fully tightened to the vehicle, temporarily remove only the Grille Guard. Hold the plastic lower bumper cover up in the approximate position against the bottom of the bumper and against the Brackets, (If cover was previously removed in Step 1a). 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 the factory hardware.

b. Reinstall the Grille Guard and tighten all Mounting Bracket and Support Bracket hardware.

13. Release the levers on the Quick Release Bolts, (Figure 16), 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 all the way 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 up or down for fit as necessary. IMPORTANT: Always make sure that the hood and grille will clear the Grille Guard before closing the hood.

16. Close the hood. 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 16).

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.