[lbpesq]

I'm trying to replace my front grill and belly pan (batwing) on my '93 Cab. I searched the forum and read all that I could find. However I can't get to the last two screws on the passenger side of the grill. There is a small radiator there (I assume it's the heater core) with a plastic shroud around it that blocks my access to the last two grill screws. All the posts I've read about replacing the front grill mention nothing about this shroud or how to remove or get around it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'd love to finish this today instead of having to bring it to the mechanic next week.



Bill

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[flash]

that is the oil cooler on the right side, and the trans cooler on the left if you have a tip



to replace the grill, you really need to remove the bumper cover - it's not nearly as daunting as it seems either - i can remove it now in less than 10 minutes

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[DaveN]

+1, just pull that sucker off and save youraself a lot of grief. You are going to want to vaccuum the bugs and dirt out of the cooler anyway.

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[lbpesq]

Job done! I could have just taken it in to my mechanic. If I had spent the time it took me, (about 5 hours including hunting down the jack stands, chock blocks, hydraulic jack and the right tools in the garage), in my office instead, I would have made a lot more than what my mechanic would have charged, but it was worth it just for the feeling of accomplishment. Way back when, I used to do almost all my own work. Of course this was a combination of having no money and owning cars that didn't look like a stereo when you opened the hood. My old Bug-eye Sprite, Fiat 850, and Opel GT were cars you could work on without computers and a degree in electronics! So to jack up the 968, crawl around underneath it and get dirty was actually a little bit fun! One weird thing - when I tried to remove the bumper cover there was a thin braided wire cable running from the hood latch release to the driving light assembly on the driver's side. For the life of me I couldn't figure out what it was and it prevented me from removing the bumper cover completely. Fortunately, I was able to get it off enough to install the new grill. It's great to be back up and running! Thanks for the help.



Bill

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[flash]

it's the hood release cable for manual release



congrats!

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[lbpesq]

"it's the hood release cable for manual release"



O.K., I'll bite. It appears that one cannot access this release cable without first opening the hood! If you can get the hood open, you don't need the manual release. I can't find anything about it in the owner's manual. So how is this thing supposed to work?



Bill

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[DaveN]

That cable should dangle down so you can reach it from underneath the front bumper.

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[lbpesq]

So I'd have to remove the belly pan/batwing to reach it from under the bumper? Am I missing something here?



Bill

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[flash]

lol - i haven't figured that one out either - it isn't long enough to go anywhere you could get to it without taking something off first - i gave up - i think i'll take another look tomorrow

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[Lim Yong]

Try routing the wire toward the driver side front wheelwell plactic housing when you replace the bumper. There is a plastic cover that can be flipped in or out (and it should be big enough to reach in and pull the wire. Have to turn the front wheel to the right so access is easier......Hey, have an answer that Flash isn't sure about..<img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[jaap]

The wire is supposed to be routed (as it is on my car) behind the indicator/fog lamp. This way you 'only' need to remove the indicator (1 screw) in case the normal hood release fails.





Jaap

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[flash]

lol - lim - that's where i routed it - it's still really too short, but at least if i turn the wheels the right way, and really reach in there, i can get to it - pretty hard from there to pull on it hard enough to open the hood though - of course if if the battery is dead, or you have locked your keys in the car, and are trying to get to the fuse box to open the doors, you can't turn the wheels, so you can't get to it anyway



jaap - correct - as long as you have a screwdriver, you're good to go - of course, if the battery is dead, or you locked your keys in the car, again, you are unable to get to it

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