Reflexxion Hood - T-Rex X-Metal Grille - Just The Basics

Sporting a suspension lift with an appropriately tough set of wheels and tires, this Ford F-150’s personality didn’t really start to take shape until the custom Reflexxion hood and T-Rex mesh grille inserts were installed.

Sporting a suspension lift with an appropriately tough set of wheels and tires, this Ford

It can be quite easy to over think your truck or SUV project. Ideas start rolling off the top of your head and start picking up speed with ease. Add a friend or two and maybe you will get the recipe right. Then again, maybe you won’t. Godfather Customs had a basic recipe for a clean Ford F-150 that was able to be cool enough to turn some heads, and easy enough that everything could be bolted on. The vision began with a mild suspension lift with enough room to clear a set of KMC Rockstar wheels and Nitto Terra Grappler tires. Of course, that alone would not be enough, so the need for visuals was attended to. We caught up with the crew at Godfather Customs for the installation of a Reflexxion hood and T-Rex X-Metal grille with a matching, mesh bumper insert. A couple of parts can have a big impact on your truck.

1. Thankfully, Godfather already had the Reflexxion hood painted and ready to go. The stock hood was removed from the hinges and set on a workbench for disassembly. To prepare for the new hood to be installed, blue painter’s tape was run around the perimeter of the hood opening to help prevent anything from getting scratched.
1. Thankfully, Godfather already had the Reflexxion hood painted and ready to go. The stoc
2. Once the Reflexxion hood was squared up and the gaps were all tight and even, the hood was tightened into place on the hinges. Then the sound padding, core support seal, and hood catch were swapped over from the stock hood.
2. Once the Reflexxion hood was squared up and the gaps were all tight and even, the hood
3. Over on a worktable, T-Rex’s X-Metal main grille and Upper Class bumper grille were laid out and the hardware checked to make sure everything was ready for launch. Even though the grilles are part of different grille series, they both use the same mesh and were a perfect complement for each other.
3. Over on a worktable, T-Rex’s X-Metal main grille and Upper Class bumper grille were lai

4. Blue painter's tape was spread around the perimeter of the stock chrome grille where no cutting would take place. A little protection goes a long way.
4. Blue painter's tape was spread around the perimeter of the stock chrome grille where no
5. An air saw was used to blast through the vertical grille legs that were necessary to be removed. This could be done with other cutting tools, but the air saw always seems most handy for the situation.
5. An air saw was used to blast through the vertical grille legs that were necessary to be
6. The cuts were not placed perfectly where they were required. Instead, sawing close to the marks did the brunt of the work, and the finish work was completed with a file. That is insurance against making an error and having to replace the grille shell at considerable expense.
6. The cuts were not placed perfectly where they were required. Instead, sawing close to t

7. Simple S-brackets hold the X-Metal grille in position on the Ford’s grille shell. We were sure not to over tighten the hardware and risk breaking one of the studs off.
7. Simple S-brackets hold the X-Metal grille in position on the Ford’s grille shell. We we
8. Since the shell itself is still the original Ford part, it slipped right into its new home on the front of the Reflexxion hood. A little finesse was used to get the hood and grill aligned.
8. Since the shell itself is still the original Ford part, it slipped right into its new h
9. An electric screw gun was used to cinch the bolts onto the grille shell’s studs protruding through the hood.
9. An electric screw gun was used to cinch the bolts onto the grille shell’s studs protrud

10. The installation was finished up with the reinstallation of the grille support rods that flank the grille shell. With the hood closed, it was time to admire all the handiwork.

10. The installation was finished up with the reinstallation of the grille support rods th

From The Driver Seat
Many would consider a new hood to be a large modification due to the requirement the new hood be paint matched to the truck. We can see both sides of the issue but to be fair, the Reflexxion hood is a bolt-on part that does not make any permanent modifications to the vehicle. The additional cost of painting will be dependent on what color and condition your truck is in already, but we believe it is a worthwhile modification. We really like the new hood as it adds a muscular tone to the truck’s nose that is translated to the driver seat. Over the dash, the raised rear portion of the hood is easily visible so it is a modification that can be enjoyed from inside and outside the vehicle. The X-Metal grille and Upper Class bumper insert add upscale looks with the right amount of muscle tone to the Ford’s image.

Your Questions Answered
Time Spent Working:	2 hours
Degree of Difficulty:	Beginner
Tools Needed: 8mm, 10mm, and 13mm wrenches or sockets, saw, file
Parts Used:
Reflexxion 705700 hood	$625.64
T-Rex 6715560 X-Metal main grille	$690.00
T-Rex 55555 Upper Class bumper grille	$180.00
Total:	$1,495.64

SOURCE
T-Rex Grilles 2365 Rail Road Corona CA 92880 800-287-5900 www.trexbillet.com	Godfather Customs 3429 Covington HWY Decatur GA 30032 888-844-8800 http://www.gcustoms.com
Reflexxion Automotive TN 901-332-6263 www.reflexxion.com