A polished billet grille acts...
A polished billet grille acts as the signature on a custom truck.
Nothing says custom truck as clearly as a billet grille. It's been the industry standard for years, dating back to the start of the sport truck phenomena. Made from billet aluminum, most grille inserts require cutting the stock grille shell and fitting the new insert. And once they're installed, there's no going back.
Reflexxion Automotive has come up with a new approach for Dodge Ram owners that gives the billet look to any '02-'04 Dodge without the cutting and grinding. The company's new billet-style chrome replacement grille is actually made from the same material Chrysler uses on its Ram Sport grille
and provides an OEM fit and finish. The new two-piece, plastic billet inserts offer simple do-it-yourself installation
and feature a polished chrome finish for a true custom
appearance.
To show how easy it is to install, we followed an installation on an '03 Hemi Ram at Truck Creations by Verdone in Scottsdale, Arizona. Once the grille shell was removed from the hood, the factory inserts were removed by undoing the stock plastic rivets and pins that held them in place. The new Reflexxion inserts were then put in place and the rivets and pins reinstalled. As the final step, the complete grille shell was bolted back onto the hood.
1. Here's a typical Ram Sport...
1. Here's a typical Ram Sport grille. It's a nice factory attempt at the billet look, but there's definitely room for improvement.
2. Reflexxion Automotive's...
2. Reflexxion Automotive's new chrome billet-style inserts for '02-'04 Dodge Rams are made from the same material as the original inserts and are a direct replacement.
3. Note the difference between...
3. Note the difference between the factory insert on the left and the new Reflexxion chrome billet-style insert on the right.
4. The first step of the install...
4. The first step of the install is to remove the factory grille shell from the hood by unbolting it from the frame.
5. With all the bolts removed,...
5. With all the bolts removed, the factory grille shell can be lifted off.
6. The grille inserts are...
6. The grille inserts are held in place by plastic rivets. The centers must be pushed out carefully using a small punch.
7. With all the rivets removed,...
7. With all the rivets removed, the original grille insert can be pulled from the grille shell. Save the tiny plastic center pins of the rivets as they will be used later to install the new grille insert.
8. After the stock grille...
8. After the stock grille inserts are removed, the new Reflexxion inserts can be set in place.
9. The original rivets are...
9. The original rivets are reused in the new grille inserts.
10. Next, The plastic centers...
10. Next, The plastic centers are added.
11. On this particular install,...
11. On this particular install, a socket extension is used to gently push the center pins into place.
12a. With the new inserts...
12a. With the new inserts in place, the grille shell is repositioned on the truck and bolted in place.
12b.
13. The finished install gives...
13. The finished install gives the truck a new custom look.