The styling of your custom truck is the one modification that is as individual as you are. How many times have you seen a truck and thought to yourself, Hmmm, I like what's been done there, but man, those are the wrong wheels? Well, if you look at the front end of the new Silverado and see that it needs some new lines, you might want to check out what Xenon has to offer. Xenon has been producing body kits since 1973 and is proud to show off its new front-bumper cap. The cap is constructed out of pliable urethane, so it won't explode into a million pieces if you tag a curb. It will turn your three-piece factory bumper into a custom, smooth one-piece element, and since Xenon reconfigures the lower area, the company provides a billet grille that fits perfectly. The cap doesn't come painted, so you'll need to visit your local paint place to have it matched. If you want to squirt it yourself, you can also go to Xenon's Web site, where it lists the proper way to prep the parts.
We went over to Billet Superstore to have Colby and the guys install the cap. Colby decided to add a T-Rex billet grille and chrome Bow Tie to match the lower grille Xenon provides with the cap, rounding out the front-end upgrade. The whole install took about an hour with minimal tools required.
1. Here is the cap after it...
1. Here is the cap after it was prepped and painted.
2. The front end of the Silverado...
2. The front end of the Silverado doesn't look that bad in its stock configuration, but it is stock, and that's not what we're all about. By the end of the day, this truck will have a new set of lines.
3. To gain access the bumper...
3. To gain access the bumper bolts, the grille shell has to be popped out. It's held in with a few clips you have to be firm with, but don't get carried away when pulling out the shell.
4. Now you can easily get...
4. Now you can easily get to the bumper bolts. There are four on top and two located underneath by the foglamps.
5. With the bolts out, the...
5. With the bolts out, the bumper slides straight off. Be careful not to let the ends of the bumper tag the fenders, or you'll be visiting the local paint shop.
6a. The valance is held in...
6a. The valance is held in with these clips. To get them out, pry the center up. This will release the lock and allow you to pull the whole clip out.
6b.
7. With that, the valance...
7. With that, the valance can be removed.
8. The bumper is reinstalled...
8. The bumper is reinstalled back into the same location on the mounts. The bolts were left a little loose so that the bumper can be adjusted if needed.
9. The provided grille from...
9. The provided grille from Xenon is screwed in place. Xenon molds extra material where the screws go so that it will be plenty strong. Make sure not to use too long of a screw; nobody likes little random dimples in their new bumper cover.
10. The urethane is scuffed...
10. The urethane is scuffed up, giving the two-sided tape a good surface to adhere to.
11. When you go to lay the...
11. When you go to lay the tape, leave a little tail sticking out. Trust us - this will save a lot of frustration later.
12. You'll have to push the...
12. You'll have to push the cap fairly hard to get it all the way on because it's a tight fit. You'll know you've got it all the way on when the ends snap over the bumper.
13. The edges of the cap are...
13. The edges of the cap are secured with screws that tighten to the bumper, so a few holes need to be drilled.
14a. To make sure the front...
14a. To make sure the front end had some sort of continuity, Colby decided to add a T-Rex billet grille and chrome bow tie from Street Scene to the factory shell.
14b.
15. Now the grill shell is...
15. Now the grill shell is installed, so the new cap can be adjusted if needed.
16. Ours looked good, so the...
16. Ours looked good, so the tape was peeled out. This is when you'll be glad you left a tail on the tape.
17. Once the protective material...
17. Once the protective material is off the tape, the cap is pushed down and stuck to the factory bumper.
18. As you can see, the front...
18. As you can see, the front is a lot smoother. Once the truck is lowered, it will look right at home.