Billet grills

[slotard]

The grill on my '73 C20 is awfully tired, with some broken parts and fairly faded. I see various eBay options, some <$50. Do they look decent in person and hold up reasonably well? Probably black. They claim to be powdercoated. Doesn't need to be perfect or anything.

[tommy217xxx]

I was wondering the same thing.

[Zach079xxx]

I have one in my 85. Love it. Easy to install and its held up / looks new. Been on for about a year

[Gregski]

a pic or a link would help (keep in mind links to eBay auctions expire) so that we know which ones you are talking about

[slotard]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/350585672837 is an example of <$50 for one. If some are good and others not so good, I'd like to know that.

[TKCR]

Just my personal opinion, but I like to see the trucks stay as close to original as possible. For the 73, there is some reproduction grilles that have the original look. I went FROM a billet grille back to original on my 86, and I love it!!!

['68 Newtricks]

Originally Posted by slotard

http://www.ebay.com/itm/350585672837 is an example of <$50 for one. If some are good and others not so good, I'd like to know that.

I love the factory grill, but my truck came with an ugly steel grill. Love the above red truck^^

That one ships local to me. I'll bet that's the same seller I bought mine from. Cheap to, not 50 bucks, but more like 75 I guess. Has held up well for about 4 years now, lots of taking on and off, also offroad abuse. I wasn't thrilled with how my parking lights mounted to it but they worked without a problem. Recently I took them off and mounted them to the core support since I was taking the grill off... often.


Oooooooold picture

[Theoriginalsilverado]

I just got one from eBay. Paid $60 CAD for it and I couldn't be happier. Really impressed with it.

[bagged81]

Originally Posted by slotard

The grill on my '73 C20 is awfully tired, with some broken parts and fairly faded. I see various eBay options, some <$50. Do they look decent in person and hold up reasonably well? Probably black. They claim to be powdercoated. Doesn't need to be perfect or anything.

I've had one on my 81 for years. It has worked for me just fine.

[slotard]

Any other thoughts before I buy one?

[1970pelle]

I like them, And have been kicking around the idea of using one for sometime now. I have bought a aftermarket OE replacement and its very close, just not the real thing. And my truck is so far from stock, why not. Go for it, its not like you can't change back in the future.


Ken

[Zach079xxx]

Question, why did you remove it so much? lol when I installed mine I had no desire to remove. Not that it's a hard install just had no reason to.

Originally Posted by '68 Newtricks

I love the factory grill, but my truck came with an ugly steel grill. Love the above red truck^^

That one ships local to me. I'll bet that's the same seller I bought mine from. Cheap to, not 50 bucks, but more like 75 I guess. Has held up well for about 4 years now, lots of taking on and off, also offroad abuse. I wasn't thrilled with how my parking lights mounted to it but they worked without a problem. Recently I took them off and mounted them to the core support since I was taking the grill off... often.


Oooooooold picture

[slotard]

Any thoughts on aluminum vs stainless?

[tommy217xxx]

How do u release the hood the those grills? I'm not seein a cut out.

[slotard]

That's a good question that I hadn't thought of. I'd sure feel dumb.

['68 Newtricks]

Originally Posted by Zach079xxx

Question, why did you remove it so much? lol when I installed mine I had no desire to remove. Not that it's a hard install just had no reason to.

Various trans cooler tests, hydro assist cooler, re-wiring. Just find having the parking light attached to the core support made it easier.

Originally Posted by tommy217xxx

How do u release the hood the those grills? I'm not seein a cut out.

Pop the hood from inside the cab, you reach in above the grill/ core support

[tommy217xxx]

That won't work for me b/c I don't have a cab release. Only from outside

[Zach079xxx]

To be honest that's not a bad idea. I wasn't a fan of how you latch one end of the parking light into the grille then use a screw to attach the light to the grille. Nice!

Originally Posted by '68 Newtricks

Various trans cooler tests, hydro assist cooler, re-wiring. Just find having the parking light attached to the core support made it easier.



Pop the hood from inside the cab, you reach in above the grill/ core support

[Desert1957]

Came with instruction for mounting the turn signals, some trimming required.
I liked the look after installed.

[JWall]

Originally Posted by tommy217xxx

How do u release the hood the those grills? I'm not seein a cut out.

Many years ago there was a billet grille on my 76 when it was my Dads & he made rod that bolted to the hood release and ran down behind the bumper & had a pad on the end of it. You could reach down and push up on that to release the hood. Or once you learned where it was you could push up on it with your foot and poop the hood.

[barry1982]

A few years back I had an 85 GMC. Wanted a " billet" or "tube" grill, but had a hard time finding one I liked. Was lucky enough at the time to be working at a Refinery that had alot of scrap 1/2" stainless tubing. Using my original grill as a template, I used two thin pieces of stainless flatbar, and silver soldered the tubes on. as a bit of a project, but looked really good when complete.

[Liberty]

Originally Posted by JWall

Or once you learned where it was you could push up on it with your foot and poop the hood.

Man that would hurt an awful lot.