Avalanche grill guard

ryr8828 · November 22, 2001

Anybody out there bought and installed a GM grill guard for Avalanche yet? Is it setup for a winch?

Got any pictures?

ltemtmike · November 22, 2001

Only pic I've seen is on the chevy website:

ScottS · November 22, 2001

Saw one on a truck same as yours the other night, but I was flying along with Lights and Sirens going, so my glipse was VERY brief.

Looked good, I don't think from the pic's that it would handle a winch, and the description in the book makes me think it might be more decorative than functional. However I would be eager to hear from someone with first hand experiece.

Scott

alchymie · November 22, 2001

There's an article at this website that shows the brush guard and winch. (Albeit its very hard to see the winch. It looks like you can see the cable peeking out.)

Brush Guard / Winch

ScottS · November 23, 2001

That is quite interesting alchymie, meez thinks meez gonna have to call my parts guy tommorow and make some queries...

Thanks

Scott

ScottS · November 24, 2001

Well, made the call, and the gent. I usually deal with is on holidays. The parts dept. had little info on the grill guard, and from what Malcolm could see, the grill is for the 1500 Avalanche only. Makes sense I guess, the front facia on the 2500 has more cooling openings, and some would be covered by the guard.

On the winch issue, Malcolm said from what he could see, there wouldn't be room, but that he would get Rick (my guy) to fax GM and get more info next week.

Scott

alchymie · November 24, 2001

When I print the picture out on my printer I can see the winch inside the brush guard cavity.

Maybe you should call the winch manufacturer (Warn) that's mentioned in the article.

Maybe the front plastic fascia has to be replaced or modified to accomodate the winch.

alchymie · November 24, 2001

Here's a list of Avalanche accessories (no brush guard though):

Accessories

This website lists the optional equipment. The brush guard option ID code is referenced, but no part number:

Brush guard ref

ScottS · November 24, 2001

Great link to the msn/carpoint alchymie. Interesting to see the list of options, and I noted the reference to the cell phone unit, something that was a subject here a week or two ago. Just in case you don't have it, the p/n for the grill guard is 12497622

Scott

alchymie · November 24, 2001

Great, it looks like its $352.21 at GMpartsdirect.com. Most likely you can install it yourself.

alchymie · November 24, 2001

Off topic, but another interesting thing implied by the Carpoint website; is that the 4WD has variable assist steering, while the 2WD model does not.

I don't know why, but the front stabilizer bar is larger in diameter on the 2WD versus 4WD.

The Z71 option has "Stabilizer Bar" listed. Doesn't make much sense, because of course it already has one. Maybe it has a different diameter. However can't tell from the info.

scottm · November 26, 2001

I bought the grill guard for my Avalanche and installed it myself. It wasn't too big of deal but you do have to drill two holes throught the plastic on the front end. Boy, that made me double check all my measurements before I went ahead with that part. I don't see the room to fit a winch without doing quite a bit of modification. It can probably be made to fit as that GM picture has one, although I don't think I want to be the first to have that done.

mrowe8 · November 26, 2001

Hey Scott,

Do you think you could get a picture of your AVie with the grill guard. I would like to see how it looks in everday shots not just the advertising images.

djames · November 27, 2001

I'd like to see what it looks like also. I'm getting mine around Easter and liked the looks of it, if it's the same one in the brochure? I went to the San Francisco auto show last week and at the Chevy site they had an internet hook up where you could look at all the concept cars. They had the Silverado SS (450hp and a 5 point harness seat belts) and an Avalanche concept, Base Camp, that comes with TV's sleeping bags and camping gear and the tent that goes on the bed. The cool thing wa that it came in Corvette Yellow. Mighty fine, Mighty fine!!!!!!!! But needless to say they said they were not making the Av yet.

Let me know about the brush guard!!!!

Sunset Z-71 · December 3, 2001

I put one on my avalanche about 2 weeks ago and you do have to cut some holes it was not that big of a deal. The winch on the Base Camp Avalache is a ramsey and at sema i sope to ramsey and they will be offering a wihc kit. I would like to see how that will work. As soon as i can figure out how to send some pics i will sned some the guard is an awsome piece love how it looks on the truck.