The Ford F150, as an extensively popular pickup in the US, allows vehicle owners nearly unlimited scope for customized upgrades. Several owners replaced the old or depleted OEM grill (also commonly known as a grille) with a brand new Raptor grill for F150.
If you’re an F150 owner, upgrading to a Raptor-style grill helps impart a bold look to your vehicle. Additionally, substituting the worn-out F150 grill with a Raptor-style one is perhaps the most affordable vehicle upgrade you can choose. Given the availability of a wide variety of aftermarket Ford Raptor grills, selecting the right product could be pretty challenging.
This review article walks you through the four best Raptor grills for F150. I’ve also outlined a buying guide that’ll come in handy for helping you in picking the appropriate F150 Raptor grill.
Contents
Raptor Grill for F150: Top 4 Best Options
ToxicStorm Raptor-style Front Grill (2018 – 2020 F-150)
Suppose you’re looking for an aftermarket Ford Raptor grill to replace the existing one. You’d want the former to resemble the latter. You’ll have no problem fitting the replacement Raptor grill for F-150 if it matches the stock grill completely. And this is precisely where the ToxicStorm Raptor-style Front Grill comes to your aid.
The front grill by ToxicStorm emphasizes the classiness of your Ford pickup, making the vehicle stands out on the roads. This Raptor-style grill features predrilled holes for a smooth and trouble-free installation. Additionally, it is dustproof and waterproof and retains structural integrity under all driving conditions.
The top-quality ABS plastic material promotes airflow and improves the appearance and value of your vehicle on the whole.
Pros
- DRL-, Turn Signal- and amber LED lights boost security and visibility at night
- Made of automotive-grade ABS: Tough and lightweight
- Installation-friendly
- Perforated structure for accelerating airflow, thereby boosting engine performance
Cons
- Cannot be installed on vehicles having a front camera
- No wiring instructions for splicing electrical wires
- Lights are prone to burning out sooner than later
Modifying Raptor-style Grill with DRL & Turn Signal Lights (2018-2020 F150)
Go for the Modifying Raptor-style grill with DRL & Turn Signal Lights for lending a novel look to F150. Carved out of premium ABS material, this Raptor grill for F150 is designed to be a seamless and straightforward stock grill replacement. The grill design with central perforations goes a long way in ensuring more excellent airflow, helping keep the radiator cool.
This F150 Raptor grill is not only ultra-durable but also impact-resistant and lightweight, rendering it appropriate for on-road and off-road driving.
Pros
- Offers an extraordinary and brilliant look
- ABS grill is resistant to light impacts and corrosion-resistant
Cons
- White LED daily running lights are somewhat dim
- No proper instructions for installation
- You may need professional help to install this grill
KKoneAuto Raptor-style Grill (2018-2020 F150)
Make your Ford F-150 look like a Ford Raptor with KKone Auto Raptor-style Grill. It comes in perfectly handy for spicing up the overall appeal of your F-150 pickup truck. This grill is incredibly durable and resilient as the trellis has been crafted from premium ABS material.
The toughness and hardiness of this KKone grill enable the framework to endure light to moderate impacts effectively. This Raptor grill’s honeycomb structure facilitates the excellent circulation of air, which helps keep your vehicle’s engine cool. Further, it ensures it doesn’t delaminate, rust, corrode or lose its sheen.
In addition, the flashy LED lights included not only accentuate your F-150’s appearance but also keep your vehicle visible at night. The molding of the clips and holes is precisely like your stock grill, which guarantees a smooth fit without drilling.
Pros
- Rock-solid construction
- Matte black surface finishing lends an understated appeal
- Easy to install
Cons
- Pod light cooling fins don’t match with the brackets holding the grill to headlights
SNA F150 Grill Compatible Raptor-style Grill (2015-2017 F150)
Highlight your pickup’s looks with this SNA Raptor-style. You can rest assured that when you swap out your vehicle’s OEM grill with this Raptor grill, the pickup will surely attract attention. The grill package includes elegant F and R letters and a detachable cover, which adds to your F-150’s style quotient.
This SNA F150 grill was constructed from toughened ABS material, making it highly heat-resistant, helping keep the engine cool. It further implies that the plated layer will not come off owing to deformation. It also comes equipped with all the installation hardware for a DIY fitment without drilling.
Pros
- Durable and resilient: Sturdy ABS plastic construction
- Matte black finishing for a low-profile yet arresting appeal
- 3 LED amber lights for ensuring nighttime visibility and safety
- Includes hardware and wire harness for simple DIY fixing
Cons
- Does not fit on pickups with front camera
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Raptor grill for F150 – Buying Guide
When it comes to selecting a suitable Raptor grill for F150, you’ll need to pay attention to specific factors. I kindly provided a buying guide discussing those factors below for those who want to turn the F150 into a Raptor.
The first and foremost thing you’d need to ensure while choosing the suitable grill for Ford F150 is compatibility. Other important aspects that you should consider are grill material, coating type, and ease of installing the part. Read on for more details.
Material
It does not bear the emphasis that you’ll be investing quite a sum for buying a Ford Raptor grill. So it follows that you’ll want to buy a product that’ll last for many years. The most common materials used for making Raptor grills and lattices include aluminum, carbon, stainless steel, and ABS plastic material.
All these materials have their distinct benefits and drawbacks. Stainless steel Raptor grill, for instance, is incredibly hardwearing, rust-resistant, and weatherproof. But on the flip side, Ford F150 Raptor grills fabricated from stainless steel tend to become unusually hot during summers.
So a stainless steel Raptor grill may not keep the radiator cool, especially during the summer. All Raptor grills for F150 reviewed above have been crafted from ABS plastic, making the lattices rigid, durable, anti-corrosive, and lightweight.
ToxicStorm Raptor-style Front Grill
(with DRL & Turn Signal Lights and 3 Amber LED Lights)
Modifying Raptor Style Grill
(with DRL & Turn Signal Lights)
Compatibility
Whatever F150 Raptor grill you opt for, make sure it is compatible with your specific vehicle model. In other words, the grill should fit on your pickup precisely in the same way as the one it replaces. Since almost all aftermarket Ford Raptor grills specify the compatible model years, picking the correct product shouldn’t be an issue.
For every Ford Raptor grill evaluated above, state the model years of pickups on which you can fit the trellises.
Installation: DIY or call for professional help?
While searching for aftermarket grills, you’ll find that some kits are hard to install, and you need to call for professional help while some are relatively easier. No worries because the five Raptor grills I’ve recommended for F150 all enable DIY installation. Ordinarily, you should’ve it easy fitting the Raptor grill provided the manufacturer offers installation hardware along with detailed installation instructions.
Nonetheless, even if the kits come with required hardware and instructions, you may have to carry out a few modifications for a perfect fit. So if you feel uncomfortable about detaching the stock grill and fitting the new Raptor grill, engage a seasoned technician. That way, you can ensure that grill fits perfectly on your pickup.
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Raptor Grill for F150: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Raptor Grill vs. F150 Grill: What’s unique about the Raptor Grill?
The Raptor and F150 are two of Ford’s top-selling pickup models. Though both the pickup variants have several similar features, the Raptor has a more powerful engine and is more performance-driven. Therefore, many F150 owners choose to swap out the stock grill with a Raptor-style grill to make their vehicles look like a real Raptor.
The unique features I notice from the Raptor grill are the honeycomb structure, big ‘FORD’ letters, bold black frame, and front amber LED lights. Compared to the basic mesh patterns or chrome accents of the original F150 grill, those features boast a fancier off-road look to the vehicle.
That numerous owners grow weary of looking at the grill day-in-day-out is another good reason why they opt for a replacement. No wonder aftermarket Raptor grills manufactured by vehicle accessories producers enjoy a heavy demand in the automotive market.
ToxicStorm Raptor-style Front Grill
(with DRL & Turn Signal Lights and 3 Amber LED Lights)
Modifying Raptor Style Grill
(with DRL & Turn Signal Lights)
Why upgrade your F150 with Raptor grill: Is it worth it?
Yes, upgrading your F150 with a companionable Raptor grill makes practical sense. The first feature that you note to identify the make or brand of a vehicle is the grill. You can instantly recognize a Mercedes Benz, Bentley, or Audi by observing the structure or design of the vehicle’s grill.
So it follows that when you drive your Ford F150 or park the pickup, other drivers will notice its grill. A Raptor-style grill with the honeycomb can make a lot of difference to how your car or truck looks in other people’s eyes. People will not care to take a second look if your car or truck looks ordinary.
Of all the different ways to improve the attractiveness of your F150, a Raptor grill is one.
Can you make an F-150 look like a Raptor?
Vehicle owners know only too well that a Ford Raptor tends to be more performance-oriented than a Ford F150. Unlike the F150, which has a rear-wheel drive and a 2.7L engine, the Raptor is an all-wheel-drive vehicle with a 3.5L engine. Besides making F150 perform like a Raptor, you can also make the former look almost like the latter.
To make the F150 look like a Raptor, you can install many of the latter’s external features, including the grill. Since an original OEM grill may be incompatible, you’ll have to buy an aftermarket Ford Raptor grill for precision fitment.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
So, there you are – the 5 top Raptor grills that can be installed on Ford F150 pickups of specific model years. All these Raptor grills for F150 have more or less the same features and functionalities. Make sure you crosscheck the compatibility of your preferred product so that you don’t face any installation problems.
ToxicStorm Raptor-style Front Grill is the one I believe stands out from the rest in the options reviewed above. Simple to use, and the enhanced looks make it our favorite.
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