Let's try Ford now.

[DCIV]

Are you just wanting different or don’t like yours. I missed that part?


Coop

[Jeff V.]

I don't like mine.

[alienviking]

Hmm?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 9740323461

To me those are about as boring as wheels this side of plain steelies can get, but it isn't my truck haha.

[ChargerX3]

Anything is better than what you have now.

[Jeff V.]

Today started off really shitty. Rather than let it get to me, I checked out of everything and decided to tinker with the truck.

Ever since I put the console in, there's been something that really bugs me. The USB port. I got the Sync 3 USB hub with the console, but I can't use it until I upgrade the rest of the system. My original dumb USB cable will work with the aftermarket head unit, but the hub won't. I was able to use the dumb cable to do a really ghetto workaround in the meantime. But it grated on my nerves every time I hooked up my phone.



The green string was there so I could fish it back out in case it fell down inside the console.

Ford decided to use something like a half dozen different USB ports and bezels starting around 2017. It's ridiculous, and expensive if you buy from Ford. Fortunately after some waiting and a couple of trips to Pick N Pull, I was able to match up what I needed. I got a plastic bezel from a 2017 Fusion, and the actual cable from a 2017 Escape. I couldn't use the Fusion cable because the other end was keyed wrong and wouldn't match up with my existing connectors. I couldn't use the Escape bezel because it was completely wrong. My original dumb cable was too small for the new bezel design.





Grand total was ~$8 at Pick N Pull. VS ~$50 on eBay, and around $80 from discount Ford parts dealers.

It also somehow lights up.



I can only guess that chunky plastic end hides an LED that vampires some juice from the USB power feed. It's pretty cool.

Then I decided to tackle the stupid grille. That got out of hand fast. I thought I could just heat it up and pull it off. Not so. I ended up having to take off a bunch of air guides and one of the headlight trim pieces.



I finally got the damn thing off without doing any damage. And then I found out why it was on there in the first place.



Despite the damage, I think it looks a lot better. It doesn't have that JC Whitney poverty bling look to it any more.



I honestly may just get an intact stock grille and keep it like this. It'll be stock, or a stock-ish idea I'm mulling around. I'll share that in another post.

Regardless of which way I go, I'm not taking the front end apart again until I decide what I'm doing with the headlights. There's too many stupid little tabs that can be damaged.

[Duck Vader]

Nice

[DCIV]

I didn’t mind the other grill but the original does look better.


Coop

[ChargerX3]

I think a chrome grill would look nice.

[Chris GTO TT]

I think a chrome grill would look nice.

[alienviking]

I think a chrome grill would look nice.

Black chrome maybe

[Jeff V.]

Home Depot rental spec raw black plastic.

[Jeff V.]

[Chris GTO TT]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... tid=dXMIcH

[Chris GTO TT]

[Jeff V.]

That's a good looking truck. I really like the facelift front end, especially in body color. I think I like the STX front end even better though. I've got an idea related to that for my grille situation. I need to write up a post for it.

[Chris GTO TT]

[aaronatstate]

That's a good looking truck. I really like the facelift front end, especially in body color. I think I like the STX front end even better though. I've got an idea related to that for my grille situation. I need to write up a post for it.

The STX front end from the facelift is the best looking F150 front end there is. It's what's on my buddies 2020 Lariat with the Sport and Black package on it.

I assume it is, but can you "facelift" an early 13th gen truck? Like is it just headlights and grille, or is there a lot more too it?

[Jeff V.]

Grille, headlights, bumper, and the typical trim bits. I'm not sure if you have to do all the air shutter stuff or not. At least you don't have to do the hood like on the GM trucks.

[aaronatstate]

Grille, headlights, bumper, and the typical trim bits. I'm not sure if you have to do all the air shutter stuff or not. At least you don't have to do the hood like on the GM trucks.

So it's not impossible, just a lot of stuff.

[ChargerX3]

"Finally a truck for the whole family".