Customized OBX Grill On Badlands

[FishKzor]

So, I addressed an oversight by Ford (in my opinion). The Outer Banks/Big Bend grill, to me, is the nicest/coolest grill on the Broncos. I’m not sure if I had been swayed by the reveal Broncos, but it just looks cool to me.

However, I always felt the Big Bend looked better than OBX, and I think that’s because the grills details get lost in gloss black. But also, nothing really matched the Big Bend carbonized grey grill color.

Same with the Badlands carbonized grey grill. With it being right next to the flares, bumper, and trailsights, it just looks peculiar (to me at least)

So I finally got my hands on an OBX grill, and went ahead with prepping and painting it a matte black, finishing it with a satin gloss clear coat.

While I was at it, I decided to attached small mesh grill inserts into the pill-shaped openings. This helped camouflage the radiator openings and hood latch mechanism and cover, and also should aid in keeping debris from entering those spots.

Overall, I’m ecstatic with the results. The grill is an almost spot-on match the bumper and trailsights.

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[Beach_Bum]

Nice work. I have to agree with you on the BB/OBX grill design as being the best/coolest. I'm sure the reveal heavily influenced that preference. The Badlands/WT grill just seems out of place. Since owning the BD, I've really grown to appreciate the simplicity of the design and the finish matches the flares/trail sights/door handles/mirrors. It provides a cohesive look with no paint.

 

[BBSas]

Looks really good, would you mind posting a picture with a head on view a little further back to show the entire front end ? What type of mesh did you use ?

 

[Squatch]

I always liked the Big Bend grille the best; great work, looking good!

However, I don't think I'll change my grille yet until it's almost unrecognizable what "model" of Bronco it was when it left the factory. I wanna avoid the, "why'd you put a Badlands sticker and wheels on a Big Bend" conversation.

 

[Dadsquatch]

Great job with this mod! Yes, please post a pic straight on of the front end. Thank you.

 

[FishKzor]

@BBSas @Dadsquatch Front image, as requested:

 

[FishKzor]

@BBSas
Mesh was purchased on Amazon.
Waaaay more than enough for the grill inlets.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PBM1C2F?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[JeebusCripes]

Nice work. I have to agree with you on the BB/OBX grill design as being the best/coolest. I'm sure the reveal heavily influenced that preference. The Badlands/WT grill just seems out of place. Since owning the BD, I've really grown to appreciate the simplicity of the design and the finish matches the flares/trail sights/door handles/mirrors. It provides a cohesive look with no paint.

How in the hell have I never noticed a difference. I feel like an idiot. I thought only the base was different. What trim levels share the same grille?

 

[RagnarKon]

How in the hell have I never noticed a difference. I feel like an idiot. I thought only the base was different. What trim levels share the same grille?

There are currently four grille designs. Obviously once Heritage enters production that list will increase, but for now we got four.

• Base/Black Diamond
  • Base comes with black lettering instead of white
• Big Bend/Outer Banks
  • OBX grille is painted shadow black
• Badlands/Wildtrak
  • WT grille is painted shadow black
• Raptor

Personally I’m a big fan of the Base/Black Diamond grille, as it is the closest match to the older full-sized Broncos. My father owned a 4th gen, I basically grew up in that Bronco, and it was the vehicle I learned how to drive in. So there is some sentimental attachment to that look for me.

I definitely don’t mind the grille on my Badlands, but I’ve been keeping an eye out on the forums for someone who wants to swap their Black Diamond grille for a Badlands grille. So far no luck.

EDIT—

Also… just a heads up for someone who is also looking to swap their grille: While there are only four designs, there is actually many more grille variations once you account for the the variants that have a front camera cutout for those with the High/Lux package.

 

[Tricky Dick]

I thought I wanted that style grill but the BL one has grown on me and I'm leaving it alone for now. Yours does look good.

Same with the Badlands carbonized grey grill. With it being right next to the flares, bumper, and trailsights, it just looks peculiar (to me at least)

I've always like how carb gray matches the hard top.

 

[Wildfire1]

I did the same mod back in August. Nice improvement. I liked the painted grill on the OBX but the open slots made the grill look unfinished. At the same time I added the back lit BRONCO letters.
Theres no end to the mods on these things.

 

[Ctholl]

Nice work. I have to agree with you on the BB/OBX grill design as being the best/coolest. I'm sure the reveal heavily influenced that preference. The Badlands/WT grill just seems out of place. Since owning the BD, I've really grown to appreciate the simplicity of the design and the finish matches the flares/trail sights/door handles/mirrors. It provides a cohesive look with no paint.

I agree, the white stood out a little much for me so got the tufskinz stickers. Now I'm content with the look

 

[Bars]

I agree, the white stood out a little much for me so got the tufskinz stickers. Now I'm content with the look

That looks great. Are those the Matte Black tuffskinz on the stock Badlands grill?

Also, I didn't realize the overlays just covered the front and not the sides...is that correct?

 

[Ctholl]

That looks great. Are those the Matte Black tuffskinz on the stock Badlands grill?

Also, I didn't realize the overlays just covered the front and not the sides...is that correct?

Yes, it only covers the face of the lettering. Doesn't wrap around sides. It's the carbon fiber tufskinz on black diamond grill but they look matte black or very dark grey, doesn't have carbon fiber pattern whatsoever

 

[Brullitt]

So, I addressed an oversight by Ford (in my opinion). The Outer Banks/Big Bend grill, to me, is the nicest/coolest grill on the Broncos. I’m not sure if I had been swayed by the reveal Broncos, but it just looks cool to me.

However, I always felt the Big Bend looked better than OBX, and I think that’s because the grills details get lost in gloss black. But also, nothing really matched the Big Bend carbonized grey grill color.

Same with the Badlands carbonized grey grill. With it being right next to the flares, bumper, and trailsights, it just looks peculiar (to me at least)

So I finally got my hands on an OBX grill, and went ahead with prepping and painting it a matte black, finishing it with a satin gloss clear coat.

While I was at it, I decided to attached small mesh grill inserts into the pill-shaped openings. This helped camouflage the radiator openings and hood latch mechanism and cover, and also should aid in keeping debris from entering those spots.

Overall, I’m ecstatic with the results. The grill is an almost spot-on match the bumper and trailsights.

Be the looks of your disassembly, the BRONCO letters are removable from the grill. Can anyone confirm if the letters are removable on the base? I'd like to swap the letters from a base grill to my BL grill. Keeping the BL look, but have black letters. Anyone know if that would work? Maybe I'm working too hard here? I haven't poked around to see if the Base letter kit is available.

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