difference between Fairlane and TL50 grilles

[mif73]

Hi guys, no time no post.
Anyhow I recently bought myself a new old stock TL50 grille surround for my S1 Lane and I have noticed some differences with the mounting method.
The Lane/LTD grille mounts are the same with the upper mounts on the radiator support and headlight brackets and the 2 lower tangs slotted into the lower slot in the headlight bracket.
The TL50 grille surround upper mounts are direct into the radiator support and it seems I have to drill 2 new holes for the outer mounts instead of the scrivet into the headlight bracket.
The TL50 grille surround has no lower tangs, how is this secured?

Would appreciate any advice or detailed pics, especially on an original TL grille.

Thanks in advance, Andrew.

PS, if you want a TL grille surround, they are on eBay at the moment, new old stock.

[mcfly94]

Tl grille lower mount is scrivted into top of the bar (bar must be drilled)

I almost bought one but worthless without mesh

[mif73]

Originally Posted by mcfly94

Tl grille lower mount is scrivted into top of the bar (bar must be drilled)

I almost bought one but worthless without mesh

Thanks Marty, 😀
Yeah I'm not gonna be drilling into the bumper so double sided tape it is!
Funny how they went for a totally different mounting method when all the existing stuff would have been fine.
As for the mesh, I am not worried about getting the exact woven mesh, I will use what I have for now and see what I can find later to replace it.

All the best,
Andrew.

[JR.]

TL50 Grill 101 from my experience...



TL grill came in two pieces; Ford charged something like $90 for the genuine plastic surround, but they stung you $1200 for the woven stainless mesh.

The 4 top tangs scrivet directly to the radiator support panel - IIRC two new holes need to b drilled for the outer two TL top support tabs.

Top of mesh was welded with a hidden steel bar that was riveted to top edge of plastic surround. The bottom was attached to the bumper by the 4 lugs you can see in the pic above. Those lugs were part of the mesh piece - a bar is welded to the folded bottom edge of the mesh that has those 4 metal rods, which then poke through the surround & into holes in bumper. There's minimal spots of tape around those lugs to allow some movement in case of accident.

If the ones on ebay don't have those 4 holes, they're not genuine NOS, they're aftermarket copies.

If they are genuine, absolutely buy it ASAP. The exact mesh is easy to source for around $100

[JR.]

This is the complete genuine front grill I got from the wreckers way back when it was being repaired and copied by the fibreglass guys.




This is the fibreglass surround & mesh in the copies that Mark now sells... Exact same style of woven steel mesh, i just believe the spacing is fractionally smaller between each metal strand...

[mif73]

Originally Posted by JR.

This is the complete genuine front grill I got from the wreckers way back when it was being repaired and copied by the fibreglass guys.

image


This is the fibreglass surround & mesh in the copies that Mark now sells... Exact same style of woven steel mesh, i just believe the spacing is fractionally smaller between each metal strand...

image
image

That's a big help JR. Thanks

[twodogs 260]

HI everyone , i have bought a genuine TL 50 grille surround to install into my fairlane , painting and fitting to car all good have skill to do , my question is about the woven mesh used to do the insert . What was the specifications and wire size of an original mesh insert ?? is the square 5.6mm in size and thickness .9mm and what is the best way to attatch to the surround after cutting to size and shape - sikkaflex ?? cheers for the advice

[Fairlane Al]

JR, does someone now make a reproduction TL50 grille? Details on who does it and how much you're looking at for one?

[mif73]

Originally Posted by Fairlane Al

JR, does someone now make a reproduction TL50 grille? Details on who does it and how much you're looking at for one?

Hi Al,
there is a TL50 surround on ebay at the moment, last one apparently.

I think it is from Bayford spares in Melbourne.

Cheers.

[mif73]

Originally Posted by twodogs 260

HI everyone , i have bought a genuine TL 50 grille surround to install into my fairlane , painting and fitting to car all good have skill to do , my question is about the woven mesh used to do the insert . What was the specifications and wire size of an original mesh insert ?? is the square 5.6mm in size and thickness .9mm and what is the best way to attatch to the surround after cutting to size and shape - sikkaflex ?? cheers for the advice

Hi mate,
I have used a temporary grille held by hot glue until I can source a mesh I like.

I will then attach some plastic or metal clips with Sikaflex etc so I can replace the mesh without replacing the sealant/glue.

As for the surround itself, I had to heat it with a paint strip gun to make it line up with the headlights and bonnet 100%.

I used stick on Velcro to attach to the top of the bumper instead of the Tickford fitted rivets.

-Andrew.

[85zl]

Originally Posted by JR.

This is the complete genuine front grill I got from the wreckers way back when it was being repaired and copied by the fibreglass guys.

image


This is the fibreglass surround & mesh in the copies that Mark now sells... Exact same style of woven steel mesh, i just believe the spacing is fractionally smaller between each metal strand...

image
image

Do you have the details on who makes the reproduction TL50 grill?

[RED666]

Anyone know if the repo grilles got off the ground??