Monday, July 17, 2006

Things to consider before buying a replacement grille for your truck or SUV.

Six things to consider before buying a replacement grill.


Material Matters
When searching for a billet grill, you will find that there are numerous materials to choose from. Among the most popular is billet aluminum, which offers a premium look and stands up to the elements.

Confirm that quality grade billet aluminum is used on your grill and that a chip-free powder-coating was applied. A polished finish will nicely complement your existing chrome trim.

Bar Business
Take note of the number of bars used in the grill. Rule of thumb: the more bars the better the look. Equally important, look for consistently spaced gaps between each bar. For repeatable precision, laser and water jet manufacturing processes yield the most consistent billet grill production results.

Nice Curves
Odds are there's some shape to your truck's front end. Choose a replacement grill insert that contours well to the front of your ride. Doing so will improve fit and ensure a custom finish.

Technical Foul
Face it, you want a billet grill to improve your vehicle's appearance, not junk it up. Get technical and take a look for visible welds. The right grill insert should have a seamless look.

Also, look for quality hardware components. Mounting studs should be made of steel and be rigid with clean threads. Aluminum mounts should be avoided as they can be too pliable which may increase the chance of failure. Avoid threads coated with powder or paint and not in tact, making it difficult to apply the mounting nut and complete a proper billet grill installation.

Muscle Matters
Installation "tabs" should be part of the bar support. This reduces the number of welds, reinforcing grill insert strength. Another good strength check is finding out if the billet grill's contour was cut or "rolled" into shape. Rolling or bending can potentially compromise grill strength.

Professional Help
Installation of your billet grill insert will vary by application. Methods range from simple bolt-over grill inserts to full replacements requiring factory grill removal; only few require minor cutting. When it's time to install your grill insert, know your skill level and determine if professional help is needed to ensure a quality, stress free install.

For more information on billet grilles or billet grills, please go to www.truckgrillesdirect.com.

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