Have any of the fine folks here found a source for a mesh to match the OEM grille from an '02 vintage TB/LS (you know....the original!)? I would like to add a lower valance grill, and I am not a big fan of billet grilles. TIA!
OEM Grille Mesh.
- Thread starter Hiway Diesel
- Start date
You can order the APC aluminum mesh which should mimic the OEM stuff fairly well. However finding something in the plastic style to match may be difficult. You could always order the mesh and do both the upper and lower sections of the grill to match the lower valance.
This is about the closest i can find.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PLASTIC-ABS-UNIVERSAL-BLACK-SPORT-MESH-GRILL-GRILLE-CAR-STOCK-OE-STYLE-9-X42-D-/400271116926?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d32048a7e&vxp=mtr
I think it would be close enough that it would not be noticable?
It would appear that the "lacing" in the diamond pattern is gm specific, because i can't seem to find that exact pattern anywhere.
-Brandon
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PLASTIC-ABS-UNIVERSAL-BLACK-SPORT-MESH-GRILL-GRILLE-CAR-STOCK-OE-STYLE-9-X42-D-/400271116926?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d32048a7e&vxp=mtr
I think it would be close enough that it would not be noticable?
It would appear that the "lacing" in the diamond pattern is gm specific, because i can't seem to find that exact pattern anywhere.
-Brandon
Both excellent suggestions. I am going to go do measurements on my existing and see what I can find. I kinda like the OEM look. I will report back if I can find something to satisfy picky lil ol me.
Hey let me know what you do and share pics! I am wanting to do the same thing to my LS front bumper. I actually like the way it looks. but I may get an LT front for fogs, and do what you are talking about.Hiway Diesel said:
The back bumper however......is just a horrible design. The SS bumpers are expensive as hell, so i am looking into an 08 LT rear bumper. it is a vast improvement over mine. I just hate the steps and looking at the Spare tire. wtf gm
08 LT Rear
-Brandon
Could always drop the tire, tuck away the holding components or remove them, and toss it in the back. The cable for the thing is a known problem part anyway, at least then you know if you can get your liftgate open or finagle it over the seats you aren't stranded. Always compromises, man....BlazingTrails said:Hey let me know what you do and share pics! I am wanting to do the same thing to my LS front bumper. I actually like the way it looks. but I may get an LT front for fogs, and do what you are talking about.
The back bumper however......is just a horrible design. The SS bumpers are expensive as hell, so i am looking into an 08 LT rear bumper. it is a vast improvement over mine. I just hate the steps and looking at the Spare tire. wtf gm
08 LT Rear
-Brandon
I think half the reason the SS bumpers are more expensive is there just isn't as big of a return on investment (investment being tooling to make the part). Compare how many non-SS TBs there are to SS TBs, and if x in 1000 are likely to need a replacement in the life of the vehicle, then there's just more overall money (making up for the initial loss) for the suppliers.
I will let you know what I end up doing. I ordered a Street Scene lower valance kit from Amazon, just to see what it was about. It I hate it, back it goes. At worst it will become a template. There is some Black powder'd stainless mesh on Weebay that is close, but I need to remeasure tomorrow....my micrometer battery was dying. The back bumper? I must be Italian.....cause whatever is behind me...doesn't matter. Although the 08 LT rear is much cleaner, I will admit. I had picked up a clean, low mileage 07 2500HD diesel crew cab, had so much fun upfitting it to make it a better ride, I decided to take a look at my 02 TB and see what I could do to make it more fun. Or at least quieter and prettier lol.
They have the same bumper cover on the 2007 TBLT as well, which is what I have on mine. Definitely looks better than earlier models, but not as sexy as the SS bumper covers.BlazingTrails said:Hey let me know what you do and share pics! I am wanting to do the same thing to my LS front bumper. I actually like the way it looks. but I may get an LT front for fogs, and do what you are talking about.
The back bumper however......is just a horrible design. The SS bumpers are expensive as hell, so i am looking into an 08 LT rear bumper. it is a vast improvement over mine. I just hate the steps and looking at the Spare tire. wtf gm
08 LT Rear
-Brandon
I actually have been thinking about removing the spare wheel altogether, I have a mini compressor and plug kit anyway. if It is too bad i have free towing. i use the hitch occasionally so I will not be removing that. but even if that stuff were taken off the bumper still shows everything under the back of the truck. it's just an ugly design all together imoIllogicTC said:
I removed the spare, the trash can, and put on the 08 bumper. Massive improvement from the rear. I did the billet on the front. Mainly it was a cost thing. I hated the plastic OEM version. The billets replacements were a couple hundred bucks (this was 06). The street scene looked the best, but at the time they thought it was gold plated or something. They wanted $400 for just the grill parts. The lower openings would have cost extra.