T6 top radiator grill removal ?

[Borris]

I've recently ordered a new Cali and wish to change the front top radiator grill once it eventually arrives. Is this a DIY job? Or should I ask the dealer to do it?

I imagined that it would be a simple job but I recently heard it involves removing the front bumper etc. Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[B J G]

I chickened out on removing it as it looked like there was push in clips holding it in to the bumper top. Probably easy if trim tool kit available and you know what needs doing.
I think that the grill would have to come out before any bumper removal rather than as you suspect, bumper first.
Not much help I know.

 

[Borris]

I chickened out on removing it as it looked like there was push in clips holding it in to the bumper top. Probably easy if trim tool kit available and you know what needs doing.
I think that the grill would have to come out before any bumper removal rather than as you suspect, bumper first.
Not much help I know.

Thanks.
I just don't want to break anything. I am hoping that someones going to tell me that it is a simple job and doesn't involve removing anything else.

 

[westfalia]

I think on the T6 the top grill is connected to the whole bumper.

Are you thinking of pimping it already?

 

[westfalia]

No it isn't ^

But the bumper needs to come off.

 

[westfalia]

 

[DrJuanKerr]

That new grill looks, as the kids would say, "sic"

 

[Borris]

I think on the T6 the top grill is connected to the whole bumper.

Are you thinking of pimping it already?

Yep. Its a Beach in Candy White over Starlight Blue. IMO it's crying out for some sparkly jewellery.

 

[Borris]

Thanks, that's very useful. Looks like a two or three man job. That last stage of removing the bumper looks a little like the more complicated issue in a Haynes manual i.e glossed over quickly. Our new van has head light washers and fogs so I'm guessing it will be a bit more complicated than the video suggests.

 

[TripleBee]

Thanks, that's very useful. Looks like a two or three man job. That last stage of removing the bumper looks a little like the more complicated issue in a Haynes manual i.e glossed over quickly. Our new van has head light washers and fogs so I'm guessing it will be a bit more complicated than the video suggests.

If the headlight washers are connected to the bumper, then you will need to disconnect the water hose somewhere between the bumper and the reservoir. If the washers stay on the car, then you don't have to do anything more, except disconnecting the fog lights, if the cables are not in the main connector.

 

[Loz]

A second person is needed when you come to lift it off and there are some stubborn clips that run across the centre. You will also need something soft to lie it on.
THQ have a good video as part of their Headlight swap that clearly shows how its done.

 

[DrJuanKerr]

A second person is needed when you come to lift it off and there are some stubborn clips that run across the centre. You will also need something soft to lie it on.

Try to find a friendly fat person. You can kill two birds with one stone [so to speak]

 

[Borris]

A second person is needed when you come to lift it off and there are some stubborn clips that run across the centre. You will also need something soft to lie it on.
THQ have a good video as part of their Headlight swap that clearly shows how its done.

Sorry to be thick but, THQ?

 

[Loz]

Sorry to be thick but, THQ?

 

[Borris]

Thanks Loz. You are a star.

 

[Borris]

Thanks Loz,
I've just watched the video and it doesn' seem too dificult as long as you have an exta pair if hands.
Brilliant.

 

[B J G]

More detail relating to grill only swap.

Nothing available a couple of years ago when I wanted it.

 

[Borris]

More detail relating to grill only swap.

Nothing available a couple of years ago when I wanted it.

Thanks,
That's going to help a lot.

 

[blondebier]

Which grill have you gone for Borris?

I was lazy and went for chrome strips. They stick on and were pretty easy to fit.

 

[westfalia]

Which grill have you gone for Borris?

I was lazy and went for chrome strips. They stick on and were pretty easy to fit.

I think he's going for this look.

 

[Borris]

Which grill have you gone for Borris?

I was lazy and went for chrome strips. They stick on and were pretty easy to fit.

I've always thought the Beach grill looks rather too van ordinaire, so the intention is to replace it with an Ocean grill. If/when it arrives, I'd also like to add the Ocean chrome pack to set the two colour paint job off nicely.

So you could describe it as a light pimp job. Something that a Beach in our chosen colour scheme will benefit from.

I didn't know about the chrome strips. Please tell more.

 

[Borris]

I think he's going for this look. View attachment 48815

Well not quite!

 

[westfalia]

Well not quite!

Why not get a T6.1

 

[Borris]

Why not get a T6.1

Well I'm sure it will be nice but personally I'm not keen on the new front or the new over styled dash. I also don't see much point in waiting especially as the T6-1 won't be much different from the tried and tested T6. It will have the same issues that the T6 currently has and maybe some more besides. Also we're not getting any younger so what would be the point in waiting for the same van with undesirable knobs on.

 

[westfalia]

I didn't know about the chrome strips. Please tell more.

Does your new one look like this - 2 pics here, first one is a beach 2nd an ocean
on the t5 you can add the chrome strips without having to change the grill.