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Old 12-07-2015, 04:16 PM   #1
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Custom Ford SMB Front Grille and LED Lightbar

Hi all,

I've always been one to customize my vehicles (extension of my personality) for uniqueness and practicality. I do a considerable amount of travel in Baja Mexico for surfing. I converted my rig to 4x4 with Agile Offroad's system -I got tired of getting stuck! After two flat tires in one trip, I now carry two spares. A rock or branch through the radiator can ruin a trip, so I decided to incorporate the current look in the offroad industry for style and added protection (full mesh barrier) in front of my radiator. A lot of the roads that I travel are rocky trails with hills, twists and turns. I just removed my (4) 8" Baja Designs, 100W HID La Paz lights from my front bumper, they were great for seeing two miles ahead, but not much good when traversing a narrow cliffside -lights pointing to space or straight when turning. I needed to see everything at least 50' in front of me and on the sides. After recently installing an LED Lightbar on my Jeep -I knew an LED lightbar would do the trick. The only problem is there aren't many parts available for the Ford E-series Van. I found a great metal fabricator to do the work. I am really happy with the way everything turned out!!




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Old 12-07-2015, 04:24 PM   #2
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Re: Custom Ford SMB Front Grille and LED Lightbar

Looks good!

Who did the upper light mounts? I want something similar, but nobody makes them for the vans..
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Old 12-07-2015, 07:40 PM   #3
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Re: Custom Ford SMB Front Grille and LED Lightbar

How's engine temperature? Does this guard reduce air flow?
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Old 12-07-2015, 09:20 PM   #4
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Re: Custom Ford SMB Front Grille and LED Lightbar

I had the Grille and Lightbar brackets made by Criss Tapia at Viejitos Metal Fabrication in Mexico. His sales rep is in Santa Ana -Arturo Topete (714) 540-4248. They ship. To check out his work on Facebook, copy and paste: http://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=v ... brication/

As far as temperature, my van has the 7.3 Turbo Diesel and has never run much over the 1/4 mark. I will be keeping and eye on it. I'm inclined to think that with the removal of the existing horizontal and vertical ribs in the existing grille, there should now be a larger area and plenty of air flow.
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1999 Ford E350 EB PH
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Custom flr plan like EB44
Agile Offroad 4x4
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Old 12-07-2015, 11:08 PM   #5
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Re: Custom Ford SMB Front Grille and LED Lightbar

How about trans temps? I can't run my grill insert in the summer when I'm towing.

Looks great BTW!
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Old 12-10-2015, 07:04 PM   #6
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Since the pictures did not follow the thread after the Website update, I thought I would add the link to my album.

http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/for...ictureid=19345

http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/for...ictureid=19344

http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/for...ictureid=19346
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1999 Ford E350 EB PH
7.3L V8 Powerstroke Diesel
Custom flr plan like EB44
Agile Offroad 4x4
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Old 12-10-2015, 10:59 PM   #7
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How does it mount and do you have additional pictures?
Price also if you're selling.
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Old 12-11-2015, 09:36 AM   #8
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Is that the Rigid Industries 54" RDS or the 50"? I was thinking of doing the same thing but was wondering about mounts. Perfect timing!
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Old 12-12-2015, 02:24 PM   #9
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Hi jjuan,

I wish I could afford the Rigid Industries lightbar. I bought mine on ebay, there are still some available. It is a 54" lightbar with Phillips 5W leds (520W and 52,000 Lumen). I won the auction for $118 with free shipping. Check this sellers ebay store, there may be several available. I am not affiliated with this seller. Here is the link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/55-520W-PHIL...item2ee9172a05

As for the upper windshield mounts, they are all custom per your specs. I had a Quicksilver logo cut out of them, but you could opt for another logo or none. Instead of riveting mine to the pillar, I opted for screws so I could remove them easily (no door fitment issues). Mine were only prime painted because the fabricator made them while I surfed in Mexico. Criss at Viejitos Metal Fabrication (see previous post for info) can custom paint or powder coat them. He ships them from LA area. Depending on what you want they start at $80.

I paid under $200 for lights and brackets -not a bad deal!
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1999 Ford E350 EB PH
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Custom flr plan like EB44
Agile Offroad 4x4
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Old 12-12-2015, 02:35 PM   #10
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Here is how they mount.

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Agile Offroad 4x4
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