P/N to get rid of front plate bracket

[JimCost2014]

7 minutes ago, Swagfu said:

Thanks Jim!

You are very welcome, keep posting, and learning.

[Nitrousbird]

I ordered this and it arrived today:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Skid-Plate-Front-for-GMC-Sierra-1500-Truck-2016-2019-GM1015122-23243493/233312813534?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

I haven't held it next to the stock one yet, but from a first glance it looks like a match.  I probably won't get around to installing it for a few days but hopefully it has an OEM fit.  Feels OEM quality at least.

[Nitrousbird]

So the new unit matches perfectly in color.

 

I was going to install it today, but discovered there are 4 challenging bolts (all are 7mm).  Two can be dealt with, the other two are impossible to get to without removing the bumper.  To do that, you have to remove the grille, so I might as well upgrade to a Denali one while I am at it and do everything at once.  Too bad; would have been a 15 minute swap otherwise.

[Nitrousbird]

Had a meeting run short yesterday, so I decided to do the swap.  The aftermarket eBay unit fits and looks identical to OEM.  Such a dumb design that they could put a couple small access holes in the brackets to allow for this to be done without removing the bumper.  Really, the only pain in the butt part is removing the painted piece between the grill and the bumper itself (as you are doing everything possible not to break plastic or scratch it); the rest is cake - just a lot of bolts to remove.

[txab]

No finished pics of your work?

 

[Nitrousbird]

6 hours ago, txab said:

No finished pics of your work?

 

If you like a stock front end with some greasy hand prints on the bumper:

 

[poconojoe]

Ah! Excellent! That looks much better than those 4 holes! Good job...

Where I live there is no front plate, but sometimes the dealers mount that bracket so they can put their advertising there. The bracket is usually tossed into the cab of the truck by the factory. I dont know how many times I've told salesmen... " if you put that bracket on and ruin the front of that truck, the deal is off!" Its true...it's one of my pet peeves!