Need help with a SPEED GRILLE installation

KMeloney · July 25, 2002

Hey all,

Started installing my Street Scene Speed Grille this evening on my '02 Tahoe, but stopped 'cause I wasn't sure what I was doing...

I took the air deflector (black plastic thingie) off, and exposed the 4 fasteners that keep the factory grille "cover" (I think it's called) on the truck.

Now, do I HAVE TO remove the factory grille to do the installation? Or, can I do it with the grille on the truck? It seems like there's enough room to get clips in place once the SS grille is in place.

Also, it appears that the SS grilles are going to be a great fit once they're in place -- but it looks like I'd scratch the #### out of my factory grille shell trying to get these into position. Anything I should know about here to avoid doing this? Any tips/tricks?

Thanks, folks!

-Kirk

gmcjoe · July 25, 2002

You really should remove the stock grille assy to install the speed grille, it only takes a few minutes ;)

Did you buy it new? It comes with pretty good instructions.

illmac77 · July 25, 2002

to remove the grill theres one bolt right next to the hood latch remove that bolt then theres a clip on each side of the grill were the edges of the grill meet the quarter panel between the driving lights and parking lights, those clips just snap out. the grill will then be able to be roved and installing the ss grill is a snap just install the clips provided for the speed grill and reinstall the the main grill the way you took it off

gmcjoe · July 25, 2002

illmac77 - Does the Chevy have the 4 plastic fasteners located in the pic below? I had them on my GMC?

KMeloney · July 25, 2002

illmac77 - Does the Chevy have the 4 plastic fasteners located in the pic below? I had them on my GMC?

GMC Joe -- I think that the answer to your question about those 4 retaining bolts there is yes. If we're talking about the same thing(s), then these are the 4 things that need to be turned 1/4 turn with a screwdriver to release the grille shell. Am I hearing that there are more clips between the lights, at the quarter panel junction, that need to be unclipped, too?

Also, is having the whole front off really going to make it easier to fit the grilles in place without SCRATCHING the paint of the front? Again, I have a Z71, so the area where I'm putting the grilles is painted.

Oh, and yes, I bought the grilles new, and the instructions are pretty decent, although they don't point out all the mounting points too clearly.

Thanks!

-Kirk

gmcjoe · July 25, 2002

Yep, those are the fasteners.

I removed my grille and set it on a blanket. The clips are at the ends of the grille assy, yes, they clip into the front of the fenders. Removing the headlamps may give you a better view of the clips, it has been a while ;)