Ford F150 Grill 2018-2020 new
2018–2020 Ford F-150 (Gen 13 Refresh), the front grille is the primary styling element that distinguishes the different trim levels. Because Ford updated the front fascia in 2018 (moving away from the 2015–2017 “three-bar” look), these grilles feature a “twin-bar” design that extends into the headlight housings.
If you are sourcing a new replacement or an upgrade, you must match the grille to the specific trim and camera options of the truck.
1. Popular Trim-Specific Grilles
| Trim Level | Primary Style | Common Finish |
| XL / STX | Honeycomb Mesh | Carbon Black or Gloss Black |
| XLT | Twin-Bar Chrome | Chrome or Magnetic Grey |
| Lariat | Chrome or Body-Color | Two-Bar with “nostril” cutouts |
| King Ranch | Specialized Mesh | Caribou (Accent Brown) or Chrome |
| Platinum | Satin Aluminum | Brushed Silver with Mesh Insets |
| Limited | Premium Satin | High-Lustre Satin with “LIMITED” lettering |
| Raptor | “FORD” Block Lettering | Magnetic Grey (Wide-body fitment only) |
2. Critical Configuration Options
When buying a “New” grille, you must verify these three technical “cutouts”:
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Front View Camera: High-trim models (Lariat 502A and above) have a hole directly under the Ford emblem for the 360-degree camera and its dedicated washer nozzle.
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Active Grille Shutters: The grille sits in front of a motorized shutter system. Ensure the new grille does not interfere with the shutter motor mounting points.
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Emblem Size: Ford used different emblem sizes for 2018–2020. Most standard grilles use the 9.5-inch emblem, but some aftermarket “Raptor-style” grilles require a different mounting bracket.
3. Installation & Technical Notes
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Material: Almost all 2018–2020 grilles are made of ABS Plastic. New “Take-Off” grilles (removed from new trucks for upgrades) are a cost-effective way to get OEM quality.
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Hardware: You will need to transfer the 11 plastic push-pins and the upper shroud from the old grille. These are prone to snapping, so having a bag of “Ford Trim Clips” on hand is recommended.
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Fitment Warning: A 2018–2020 grille will not fit a 2015–2017 truck without also replacing the headlights, bumper, and “eyebrow” trim pieces.
4. Technical Inspection for New Inventory
| Feature | What to Check |
| Mounting Tabs | Inspect the 4 main upper tabs. If these are stressed (showing white plastic “stretch” marks), the grille will vibrate at highway speeds. |
| Clip Channels | Ensure the lower channels where the grille snaps into the header panel are clean and sharp. |
| Finish | For Chrome units, check for “bubbling” at the edges, which indicates a defect in the electroplating process. |
Professional Sourcing Tip
If you are looking for the “STX” Honeycomb style (the most popular upgrade for base trucks), the Mopar/Ford part number series usually begins with JL3Z-8200. This specific grille is highly sought after because it provides a sporty, blacked-out look without the need for painting.
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