Lower grille replace

Just before it got cold here, I had a little mishap. A chicken crossed the road at the wrong time and wound up stuck in my grille. When I got home and looked, the chicken was still alive but it's foot was hung in the grille. In less time than it takes to tell, the dog grabs the chicken and after the third lunge, he took off across the yard with the chicken squaking and spewing feathers everywhere. The grille was pushed loose and a couple of the upright braces between the bars is broke. I pulled it back into place the best I could. I ordered a new grille and will replace it along with my new grille block invention, but just want to know if I can replace it from below without taking the bumper off. What with knee surgery and the cold, I haven't had a chance to check. I'm right at the 100K mark so will change oil and the grille at the same time while on the ramps. Appreciate any info.

 

When the new grille came, I made a cardboard template to cover the entire girlle, I have it on now, but need to do some final sizing to make it fit better, painted black and held with two wire ties. After I get the fit just right, I'll post some pics. The chicken crossed the road because he was on the wrong side, I just don't know why he went there in the first place. It was a Game rooster, so maybe there was one on the other side that needed a whoopin'.

 

Changed oil today and looked at replacing the grille. No way from the bottom or the top, so the bumper has to come off or everything pulled loose except the fasteners across the top under the hood. Then maybe the bottom would pull forward enough to get the grille out. I will get a picture of the grille block.

 

Sorry, the chicken didn't make it.

 

I still have the old grille and finally got a picture of the sheet metal grille block that I cut out and painted, put the door edge trim around the sharp edges and used two wire ties to mount. Will try to post the pic.

 

I like that, want me to PM you my address?