Installing New Grille?

[Ryno95]

My Yukon needs a new grille (the wife tagged a deer). The dealer want a bunch to fix it & I don't really want to pay it. Ya the dealer quote is the only one I got but I'm assuming any reputable body shop will be similarly priced (~$600.00). Anyway, I found an OEM grille:

 

http://www2.partstrain.com/products/AutoBo....html?sku=20020

 

It's priced pretty cheap but was wondering about the install. Is this something a Joe Smoe can do? Will there be instructions with the new grille?

 

The part that is broke is the actual grilles (I always thought it was grill(s) ). If I covered it with an aftermarket billet type, it may work also. Any pics or ideas here would be great.

 

Thanks.

 

Ryan

[Indy]

It's a simple job. I replaced mine 2 years ago because of a deer.

[sshoureas]

do it yourself and save some $$$$$$$$$$

[GasHog369]

there easy t oreplace / take on and off... in the case of mine, there are only 6 clips holding on that front grill! and theres like 8 clips under the hood holding on a cover you have to remove to get to the grill...

 

Ive had mijne on and off at least 10 times in the last 2 weeks installing my air horns, and i am not a mechanic by any means! you can do it

[carneyman]

I just installed a new one on mine (some idiot broke off a piece of the "chrome"). Easy as pie. If you feel some resistance, then there is another clip holding you.

[Ryno95]

Thanks for the input guys. Just a few more comments & questions. Is the grille I'm looking at actually have the GMC letters on it? Is this just blacked out due to some copyright infringment or something? I guess I could just call and find out.

 

 

 

 

 

My problem....

 

 

 

 

I found out how to remove the headlights

 

 

 

 

 

and access what appears to be the only clip that hold the sides of the grille on the truck. Am I correct? Is this the only connection in this location?

 

 

 

The 7 'clips' holding the fan cover or shroud on

 

 

 

 

How do these come off without breaking them?

 

The clips holding the actual grille in place...do they work in a similair fashion? Or are they different?

 

Any info would be appeciated guys.

 

Thanks again,

 

Ryan

[mxadam579]

Thanks for the input guys. Just a few more comments & questions. Is the grille I'm looking at actually have the GMC letters on it? Is this just blacked out due to some copyright infringment or something? I guess I could just call and find out.

 

 

 

 

very easy to do save the money

 

My problem....

 

 

 

 

I found out how to remove the headlights

 

 

 

 

 

and access what appears to be the only clip that hold the sides of the grille on the truck. Am I correct? Is this the only connection in this location?

 

 

 

The 7 'clips' holding the fan cover or shroud on

 

 

 

 

How do these come off without breaking them?

 

The clips holding the actual grille in place...do they work in a similair fashion? Or are they different?

 

Any info would be appeciated guys.

 

Thanks again,

 

Ryan

[Ryno95]

ttt - just one more time for a little feedback....

[SPARK CHASER]

Not to sure on the removal and installation of a 2005 GMC grille, but some of those plastic fasteners are pretty tough to remove without destroying them. If I were you, I would go to certifit.com and see if they have a reproduction grille for your application. They are much cheaper in cost than the OEM grills. OEM GM grills are way overpriced for a piece of plastic. I just picked up today a reproduction grill for my 1993 silverado at the certifit location here in Dallas-Ft.Worth. The OEM grill would have cost me anywhere from $200-$300. I got this reproduction for $53 and the quality is actually better than the OEM grille. OEM GM grills sometimes have a tendency for the chrome to disbond from the plastic as they age. This is what happened to the grill on my 1993. This reproduction grill is totally chrome plated and then painted in the places that are supposed to be painted. A much better process.

 

Your GMC logo will probably not come with the new grille. You will have to transfer the badge over to the new one, if it is "serviceable". Don't be suprised if the grille in the link you supplied is a reproduction non-OEM grille.

[sonjaab]

Man thats cheap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The last time I replaced a GM grille assembly they were over $300 bucks!

More if you got the body colored one....................

 

Thats gotta be a china made knockoff.

 

Yes you will have to swap over your GMC letters/emblem.

And yes it don't say GMC because of trademark rule issues IMO.

 

EASY DIY job tho....................geo

[bossier62guy]

FYI, that's not an OEM grille....it's an aftermarket POS.

[Ryno95]

^^^^^

 

First off, thanks for the replys guys. I will shop around for additional grilles, just to see if any are of better quality. Will I be able to buy those clips at my local auto parts store? Or possibly my local dealer?

 

 

Off topic question - Is there a spell checker in the reply window in this forum? Man I need it and cannot find it.

 

 

Thanks,

 

Ryan

[bossier62guy]

^^^^^

 

First off, thanks for the replys guys. I will shop around for additional grilles, just to see if any are of better quality. Will I be able to buy those clips at my local auto parts store? Or possibly my local dealer?

 

 

Off topic question - Is there a spell checker in the reply window in this forum? Man I need it and cannot find it.

 

 

Thanks,

 

Ryan

 

Dude, you shouldn't need any replacement clips. Those plastic clips will come out with a small regular screw driver easily and without damaging them. Just put the head of the screwdriver underneath the center part of the fastener and pry them up. Once the center section pops out you can pull the entire fastener out.

[SPARK CHASER]

If the OEM grilles are so great,why does almost every 1988-1998 chevy full size have disbonded chrome coming off the grille? Most of these reproduction grills are made in Taiwan not China. Twenty years ago the quality of these parts was terrible, but that is not the case today. So,you do have a choice buy an overpriced OEM (made in mexico) grille that the chrome will eventually disbond or buy a reproduction (made in democratic Taiwan) grille that looks exactly the same and is of better quality. When I was at the Certifit store, the parts guy let me install the repro grill at the store before I paid for it just so I would be happy with the fit and finish. This Certifit grille matched perfectly and the fit and finish was excellent. The grill was manufactured by PROFORTUNE INDUSTRY which is a ISO9001,ISO14001,QS9000 certified company.

 

The price of that grille in the link is a good price. LMC truck wants $150 for a repro grill from their catalog. I'm willing to bet the OEM is two to three times that price.

[bossier62guy]

If the OEM grilles are so great,why does almost every 1988-1998 chevy full size have disbonded chrome coming off the grille? Most of these reproduction grills are made in Taiwan not China. Twenty years ago the quality of these parts was terrible, but that is not the case today. So,you do have a choice buy an overpriced OEM (made in mexico) grille that the chrome will eventually disbond or buy a reproduction (made in democratic Taiwan) grille that looks exactly the same and is of better quality. When I was at the Certifit store, the parts guy let me install the repro grill at the store before I paid for it just so I would be happy with the fit and finish. This Certifit grille matched perfectly and the fit and finish was excellent. The grill was manufactured by PROFORTUNE INDUSTRY which is a ISO9001,ISO14001,QS9000 certified company.

 

The price of that grille in the link is a good price. LMC truck wants $150 for a repro grill from their catalog. I'm willing to bet the OEM is two to three times that price.

 

I don't think we're discussing an 88-98 grille. If I had an 05 I'd put an OEM grille back on that vehicle. I did however have an 89 for 10 years and never had a problem w/ the OEM grille peeling as you state.