carcus

I have a billet grill on the way and will be installing it some time next week. Anyone have some tips or pics on what plastic rivets to remove and how to do it without breaking them? I imagine once I get the stock grill removed things will fall into place. Thanks all. A step by step writeup like the dash removal would be awsome.

us024077

If the connector has a round thing in the center with three grooves radiating out, pop the center circle up with a small screw-driver. If it has a round thing in the center with no grooves, push it down slightly (maybe 3/16 in). If you push too hard, the center pin will pop all the way thru and you'll probably never find it.

Once all the connectors at the top are removed, tilt the grill and it will come out.

If you're getting a Trenz, it has clear instructions with some pictures.

high888

Forget trying to save the plastic rivets. I destroyed mine pulling, grunting, cursing, as I was removing them. I was so frustrated
with the smooth top ones that I took my drill and drilled them out.
There is a black cover which covers the gap between the grill and
the radiator. Just go buy 4 knew push rivets at ACE hardware.
You will have to drill 4 new holes to line it up. Then pop them in.
Don't bother trying to salvage the existing ones. Once you get them
out, line them up in a row on the concrete driveway, and smash them
with a hammer. You will feel better. Oh, by the way, do the same
thing with that POS buck tooth grill. Say a'dios to it.

Edify11

It's really not that hard to keep the plastic rivets, they come off pretty easily. Follow us024077's instructions. One more thing, when you remove the OEM grille, there are plastic push-tabs running along the bottom of the grille. Push in the inner part of the plastic tabs and slide it out of the slot one by one to remove the grille. This will keep your factory grille intact if you want to sell it or hold on to it for whatever reason. Just take your time and be patient. It'll pay off.

chrisaust

As Edify said, its not that difficult. There's two kinds of rivets, and once you figure out how to get each one off, its simple to get the rest out. And yes, be wary of the 4 tabs along the bottom, keep those intact just in case!

high888

I say again, SMASH those rivets. I also broke off the clips on the bottom of the POS bucktooth grill, and that grill now resides in my trash bin waiting for Thursdays pickup. Once you get your new grill installed with new rivets, you will never want to go back. Trash that thing when you get it out. Or you can FEDEX it to these others who want to reminisce about the good 'ol days with that bucktooth thing in the front of their car.

Edify11

You really don't like those rivets, do you?