Nbs Carriage Works Grill Insert Install

tobias · July 12, 2007

Here we go! $149 and about 2 hours worth of my time below! I apologize for the filthy truck. I haven't washed it since the last rain. It's clean now, had to with he new grill installed!

The Grill

To remove the original, the push clips (or whatever they are actually called) must be removed from the large piece of plastic that covers the radiator/oil/tranny cooler area. These simply pop up with a tech driver and pull out.

Next are the four bolts that hold the grill in place.

Now for the clips. There are 6 of these behind the grill. Use pliers to squeeze the clips and release them from the body.

Insed the fender well are two small screws that hold the bumper trim in place. Once those are removed, gently pull the bumper trim from the vehicle to release it from the clips that hold it in place.

After separating the grill and bumper trim, tape up the grill to help avoid any damage.

Next, cut all horizontal and vertical supports.

Bolt the insert in to the grill surround, position, and put it all back together in reverse. When you are done, it should look like this.

Best buck-fifty I have spent yet. There was some apprehension before making the first cut but it's really not that bad. The instructions that come with the grill have pictures and fairly simple to follow. If you are on the fence, jump over to the emblem free side, you'll be very happy with the results.

Daddy

Summit Beast · July 12, 2007

Looks awesome, good job!

VMax2007 · July 12, 2007

Nice job!! Looks good. However, I do not see much, if any, difference between this one and the bolt-over style. I have the bolt over Carriage Works and it looks just like yours, except I opted for leaving the GMC logo. Although I am not a huge fan of badging (I removed the tailgate badges from my 2000), I have to say I like the look of the GMC grill better with the logo and the billet grill. But that's not a cut (no pun intended..lol) on yours. Yours looks great too. That's what's nice about customization, you get to create the unique look that YOU like best.

Again, great job!!!

BTW, the local truck access. dealer wanted $200 for the CW boltover I wanted, I found one from a truck access dealer in So Dakota on eBay and got it for $107 + 15 S/H = $122.

Are you going to get the lower grille insert? I would, but I have the damned front license plate, so I can't.

here's anothr front shot of mine, sorry the pic kinda sux...

tobias · July 12, 2007

Nice job!! Looks good. However, I do not see much, if any, difference between this one and the bolt-over style. I have the bolt over Carriage Works and it looks just like yours, except I opted for leaving the GMC logo. Although I am not a huge fan of badging (I removed the tailgate badges from my 2000), I have to say I like the look of the GMC grill better with the logo and the billet grill. But that's not a cut (no pun intended..lol) on yours. Yours looks great too. That's what's nice about customization, you get to create the unique look that YOU like best.

Again, great job!!!

BTW, the local truck access. dealer wanted $200 for the CW boltover I wanted, I found one from a truck access dealer in So Dakota on eBay and got it for $107 + 15 S/H = $122.

Are you going to get the lower grille insert? I would, but I have the damned front license plate, so I can't.

here's anothr front shot of mine, sorry the pic kinda sux...

Still don't know about the lower insert, gonna have to noodle on that one for a while. I like my chrome tow hooks and really don't like the middle-only insert they make. I'd not be able to cover them up, have used them already once and would hate to be without.

As for the differences, it's tough to say as I haven't been right up close to yours but beyond the badge, I'd say the biggest difference is that it does sit recessed within the surround, which I was most concerned about, and also that after shooting everything flat black behind the grill it's nice and clean without being able to see the old grill back behind it. Not that yours is probably that noticeable but I just can't bolt one thing over another and be happy. I am really trying for the clean look on this one thus the shaved emblems and lack of any decals, vent visors, bed rails, running boards, etc. I might still do the boards but not much beyond that.

I think yours looks great, just happened to be the style I was going for. My buddy has an '06 with the recessed grill and I fell in love with the recessed, deleted look.

Daddy

VMax2007 · July 12, 2007

Nice job!! Looks good. However, I do not see much, if any, difference between this one and the bolt-over style. I have the bolt over Carriage Works and it looks just like yours, except I opted for leaving the GMC logo. Although I am not a huge fan of badging (I removed the tailgate badges from my 2000), I have to say I like the look of the GMC grill better with the logo and the billet grill. But that's not a cut (no pun intended..lol) on yours. Yours looks great too. That's what's nice about customization, you get to create the unique look that YOU like best.

Again, great job!!!

BTW, the local truck access. dealer wanted $200 for the CW boltover I wanted, I found one from a truck access dealer in So Dakota on eBay and got it for $107 + 15 S/H = $122.

Are you going to get the lower grille insert? I would, but I have the damned front license plate, so I can't.

here's anothr front shot of mine, sorry the pic kinda sux...

Still don't know about the lower insert, gonna have to noodle on that one for a while. I like my chrome tow hooks and really don't like the middle-only insert they make. I'd not be able to cover them up, have used them already once and would hate to be without.

As for the differences, it's tough to say as I haven't been right up close to yours but beyond the badge, I'd say the biggest difference is that it does sit recessed within the surround, which I was most concerned about, and also that after shooting everything flat black behind the grill it's nice and clean without being able to see the old grill back behind it. Not that yours is probably that noticeable but I just can't bolt one thing over another and be happy. I am really trying for the clean look on this one thus the shaved emblems and lack of any decals, vent visors, bed rails, running boards, etc. I might still do the boards but not much beyond that.

I think yours looks great, just happened to be the style I was going for. My buddy has an '06 with the recessed grill and I fell in love with the recessed, deleted look.

Daddy

Both look great!!! And just so ya know, the ONLY way you can see my factory grill behind there is if you put your face right up to it and peek between the billet bars. It is NOT noticeable even from 2 feet away. In fact, when a friend was checking mine out, he thought I had cut my original out and asked how hard it was. He was surprised when I pointed out it was still there.

mark111 · July 12, 2007

how was the fit and installation time compared to the instructions?

To remove the original, the push clips (or whatever they are actually called) must be removed from the large piece of plastic that covers the radiator/oil/tranny cooler area. These simply pop up with a tech driver and pull out.

Next are the four bolts that hold the grill in place.

Now for the clips. There are 6 of these behind the grill. Use pliers to squeeze the clips and release them from the body.

Insed the fender well are two small screws that hold the bumper trim in place. Once those are removed, gently pull the bumper trim from the vehicle to release it from the clips that hold it in place.

After separating the grill and bumper trim, tape up the grill to help avoid any damage.

Next, cut all horizontal and vertical supports.

Bolt the insert in to the grill surround, position, and put it all back together in reverse. When you are done, it should look like this.

Best buck-fifty I have spent yet. There was some apprehension before making the first cut but it's really not that bad. The instructions that come with the grill have pictures and fairly simple to follow. If you are on the fence, jump over to the emblem free side, you'll be very happy with the results.

Daddy

tobias · July 12, 2007

The fit is great. Took a bit of adjusting to get it just right but it's just the right size for the opening. It took me around 2.5 hours to complete but I was being extra careful and took about 15 minutes to eat once I had the original grill cut out.

Daddy

VMax2007 · July 12, 2007

The fit is great. Took a bit of adjusting to get it just right but it's just the right size for the opening. It took me around 2.5 hours to complete but I was being extra careful and took about 15 minutes to eat once I had the original grill cut out.

Daddy

You ate your grill after cutting it out?

tobias · July 12, 2007

The fit is great. Took a bit of adjusting to get it just right but it's just the right size for the opening. It took me around 2.5 hours to complete but I was being extra careful and took about 15 minutes to eat once I had the original grill cut out.

Daddy

You ate your grill after cutting it out?

It was a mistake this morning, trust me.

Daddy

Slider_4x4 · July 13, 2007

Nice mod Daddy!

BigHerky · July 13, 2007

I just got my bottom grill put on my truck right before I went on vacation, but I will be home on sunday so I will post some pictures for you guys to see what it looks like after replacing the fron licence plate.

tobias · July 13, 2007

I just got my bottom grill put on my truck right before I went on vacation, but I will be home on sunday so I will post some pictures for you guys to see what it looks like after replacing the fron licence plate.

Sounds good. Very interested to see it.

Daddy

July 13, 2007

I agree with VMax2007, no wait I agree with daddy.

I simply must go into politics.

Actually, daddy, it looks great. Not a huge fan of billet since it often looks "bent" in themiddle but htis looks good.

I do see VMax2007's point though (see sig). I debadged my '03 except for the grill logo. I think it looks good AND tells the rest of the uneducated world I'm driving a GMC.

Both look great.

VMax2007 · July 14, 2007

What do you guys think of this grill? Available on the 2008 "All Terrain" package. I like it...ALOT!!! I just may have to get me one if it looks as nice in person.

http://www.seriouswheels.com/2006/2006-GMC...e-1920x1440.htm

tobias · July 14, 2007

What do you guys think of this grill? Available on the 2008 "All Terrain" package. I like it...ALOT!!! I just may have to get me one if it looks as nice in person.

http://www.seriouswheels.com/2006/2006-GMC...e-1920x1440.htm

Looks pretty d**n nice. I almost thought that was a 2500 with the four slats. It still looks kind of stock though, although a d**n nice looking stock. Reminds me of the chrome slats in the Envoy grill a little bit.

Daddy

P.S. Put the 20 inch Motto 100/6's on the truck tonight with some 305/50R20's. A bit wider than I was planning on going but the price was right. My buddy had them on his Avalanche for 3 months but is now selling the Avalanche at auction and made me one hell of a deal. I'll post some pics tomorrow.