Does anyone know the easiest way to remove the lower grill that covers the IC? Is the only way to remove all the little screws that hold in the cover that covers the bottom of the bumper, or is there any way to remove from the front?

 

No way to remove it from the front.

After you remove the lower panel, (which is fairly easy, but I recommend you get replacement plastic fasteners, as I don't really like to reuse them), you then reach up and bend each of the retaining tabs slightly while pushing in from the outside, working your way around the perimeter, one tab at a time. Your fingers will be pretty tired by the time you get to the last tab, but putting it back on is much easier than removing it.

 

Thanks c2vette, I was hoping I didn't have to remove the lower panel.
Your picture helps a lot.

 

I corrected my first post since I think I might have got it wrong as far as which way you push on the tabs to release the grill. Maybe somebody who has done this recently can chime in with the correct direction on that.

 

Has anyone ever done this? I tried pushing on the tabs and couldn't get anything to budge. Doing it laying on the ground through the small opening didn't help, but honestly, I couldn't get any of the tabs to disengage??

c2vette, your crazy if you think pulling the lower panel is fairly easy! removing the screws and the plastic fasteners wasn't bad, it was getting that sucker off of the other plastic that holds it to the bumper. I think you could drive it without any screws or plastic fasteners

 

[/QUOTE][removing the screws and the plastic fasteners wasn't bad, it was getting that sucker off of the other plastic that holds it to the bumper. I think you could drive it without any screws or plastic fasteners[/QUOTE]

Do you have any pictures of what it takes to get the front off? I'm going to add a boost cooler and figured I'd put the pump up in the front somewhere if there is room and tap into the washer tank for a source.

D.

 

Sorry DrLoch, I didn't get any pics, the problem is the outer edges. The bottom panel is sandwiched between layers of plastic and you really have to bend it get it out. In hind sight, removing the tires may have helped, but not sure on that one. Maybe someone else has a better solution/pics?

 

I have had mine off and on 3 or 4 times and doesn't seem too difficult, maybe it is a matter of sequence. After all the fasteners are out, you pull out slightly on the lower corner of the wheel opening, and then drop the corner of the panel out from between that and the inner fender panel. As far as the clips on the IC grill, you can see by this photo that the tabs bend AWAY from the cnter to release. At the very top of the IC grill there is a tab which may be secured by fasteners, so if it does not drop out after releasing the tabs, don't force it. Mine did not have a fastener in that tab. If yours does, then you are stuck with disassembling the entire front end to get it out.