Front Logo/ Grill Removal

[Funmart6]

Does anyone have specific instructions on how to remove the bar that is in the center of the oval grill openning of a GenIII? I was told once that to remove it, the whole front end had to be removed, is this correct?
Have to ask this one also. Why didn't Ford give us a light under the hood? I have a 1990 Sable GS wagon and a 1998 Eddie Bauer Expedition, both have service lights under the hood. I also have a 1989 Taurus GL and now that I think about it, it doesn't have a light under the hood either. Is it a Taurus thing or what? shrug

 

[MilTownSHO]

Funmart6:
I also have a 1989 Taurus GL and now that I think about it, it doesn't have a light under the hood either. Is it a Taurus thing or what? shrug

No, both of my 91's had a light under the hood. Come to think of it now, I can't remember if that 98 does or not?! shrug

 

[wdnitro]

98 no under hood .light. Made my own.

 

[mholhut]

Funmart6:
Does anyone have specific instructions on how to remove the bar that is in the center of the oval grill openning of a GenIII? I was told once that to remove it, the whole front end had to be removed, is this correct?

It's called a hacksaw blade wink

Simply use the blade to cut the verticle vanes that hold the bar and oval out of the grill area.

As for the under hood light, my '96 SHO didn't have one, my '00 Lincoln LS doesn't have one, and neither does the wife's '98 Maxima SE (which also doesn't have a trunk light either).

 

[steevil]

go to the salvage yard and grab a light from another car. Keep in mind you want one that uses a mercury switch.

 

[Funmart6]

Hey Mike you really have a NASCAR fantasy going on there with that SHO don't ya? Kidding of course, I love Winston Cup racing! That car of yours really looks cool! Glad to see the Roush Racing decal, my favorite is Mark Martin!
Anyway, yeah I had thought about cutting it out like that but didn't want to remove it permanently,I am the type to remove the thing one day and then six months down the road decide to put it back on. Thanks for the input and the pic. cheers thumb

 

[SHOGHOST]

While on the subject of frontends does anyone know if you can get a custom hood fot the Gen III, or if anyone modifies the current hood?

 

[Venom 800TT]

No, but you can have custom work done by some of the better custom body shops.

As for the grill, I'd love to by it off you if you go ahead and remove it. I have an SE, and I much prefer the body colour bar over the chrome one. Later.

Venom

 

[E1]

FWIW-
Today, I removed the center bar assembly from a 97 SHO with the intention of re-installing it. The hacksaw option was not a possibility for me. There are only 6 screws that hold it in place and they are a ROYAL PITA to remove.
2 in the center bar and 2 in each of the outside bars. They are phillips head screws put in from the backside of the bar. If you feel around the backside of the bars you will discover the screws to be removed.

 

[99V8SHO]

I like the Ford emblem in the front grille. One thing I hate about the stock Taurus in 96 and 97 was the front facia. That is fugly. The two teardrop openings and the Ford emblem above the grille leaving an open, empty oval. I think by romoving the emblem from the SHOs it looks too much like the stock 96s and 97s.

 

[Funmart6]

Yes I understand that there are screws that hold the logo bar in place, how do you get a screwdriver in that small space to get the out?

 

[Funmart6]

Also, I think that even with the logo bar removed, the SHO can hold its own in the looks department. Yes, the standard Taurus front end treatment doesn't look so great to me either, but isn't the oval grill of a SHO a little deeper than a standard Taurus? I just like the open look, looks more racy to me, kinda like when I would take the chain guard and reflectors off a new bicycle, you know, we all did it because it was cool. boink If I ever remove my logo bar, I do plan on keeping it so I may replace it when I am tired of the open look.

 

[E1]

Funmart6:
Yes I understand that there are screws that hold the logo bar in place, how do you get a screwdriver in that small space to get the out?

I have a special "Tight Spaces" tool. It holds a drywall screwdriver tip in a little 3" ratcheting bar. It only needs about 9/16 of an inch headspace. It is Bluepoint brand (a Snap-On Product). Basically, you do whatever you can to hold the tip in the screw with one hand while ratcheting the bar with the other hand.
Even with this tool it was a huge pain in the butt to remove this grille.
Good luck