 Replacement chrome GMC gr...  Replacement chrome GMC grille | 
AFTER |  What's In The Box? Here is...  What's In The Box?
Here is the Lund billet grille as it came from Stylin' Trucks. It has thick aluminum bars with a polished face and blacked-out framework. Notice I left the plastic wrapping on. I'll be getting back to that later on. |
Adding a cutout-style billet grille to your truck is one of the most basic and common ways to clean up its appearance. It's also a pretty simple procedure if you have done one before, but it can be a little difficult for first-timers. It's one of those mods where you have only one shot to get it done right. It is in your best interest to take your time and do each step properly, because the grille is where most people's attention is drawn to.
The install here is on my '00 S-series GM truck just before it was to be displayed at the 2007 SEMA Show. Though I previously had a billet grille in the truck, it had seen better days and needed to be changed out before the show. So read along to see how I installed this grille before my big debut.
 The Install 1. I also got...  The Install
1. I also got a replacement chrome GMC grille from LMC Truck. With a cutout billet grille, you have to cut the center of the factory grille shell to install the grille. In preparation for this, I placed blue painter's tape around the chrome edge. |  2. Though the instructions...  2. Though the instructions say to cut the plastic grille with a razorblade, I figured my rotary tool with a cutoff wheel would be more efficient. Once the center was cut out, I attached a grinder bit to the tool and smoothed all the edges. Afterward, I test-fit the billet grille and trimmed it a bit more to fit it perfectly. Keeping the plastic wrapping on came in handy for preventing scratches during this step and the next. |  3. Once the LMC grille was...  3. Once the LMC grille was cut to proper size, it was time to mount the two together. In doing so, the upper and lower tabs of the billet grille had to be bent to fit against the inside of the grille. Then, I drilled holes through all four of the tabs and grille. |
 4. Along with the grille came...  4. Along with the grille came a set of four rivets to mount the billet grille in place. Since I didn't have the proper tool to set the rivets, I used a set of spare OE bolts with speed nuts. |  5. With the grille set up...  5. With the grille set up correctly, I disassembled it to remove the plastic wrapping. If I had used the rivets, I couldn't have done it this way, and I might have scratched the billet in the process. |  6. I quickly reinstalled the...  6. I quickly reinstalled the billet grille before it could get damaged while in my garage. Then, the blue painter's tape was removed to reveal the finished product. |
The Final Word
With the billet grille installed, it was time to attach the whole unit to the front of my truck. This step is easy because the factory push clips make it possible to attach the grille shell to the core support in just seconds. After installing the upper grille, I attached a simple bolt-in billet grille to my Envoy bumper. Once completed, it's easy to see how both of these grilles complement the truck's front end.