[Alderson]

Hey guys,
I'm thinking of making my own front grille since I don't like the look of the stock one.

I've got the idea in my head and will take a few steps from the How-to guide on how to make the front grille.
Only problem is that I can't figure out what the thick chicken wire mesh would be called to find a place that would sell it.

Any help on this would be appreciated.

 

[ferraiolo1]

Google grill mesh. Tons of options.

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[CJM8515]

Expanded metal mesh

 

[Alderson]

That would be it, thanks

 

[sharkey]

You can also go to your local metal supply business...

 

[Alderson]

^ Not open on weekends.

I went to Home Depot and picked up some flat steel 1 1/2 inch, slotted angle iron, bolt/nuts, and the extended metal...Came to $190

They only carry 24''x24'' extended metal, so I picked up two in hopes of lining up the edges against eachother since the width of the front grille is about 41'' (I'd cut off the excess)

But...At $36 per sheet...I don't think it's worth it. I'll have to find somewhere else that has a 4' section of the stuff around me.
So far, no luck...I've looked at Rona, Lowes, Canadian Tire, and Home Depot..Biggest is 2'

 

[ferraiolo1]

Did you do any shopping for metal mesh grills? You can get them for less than $300. Even with holes for led bars.

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[Alderson]

Did you do any shopping for metal mesh grills? You can get them for less than $300. Even with holes for led bars.

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I did, and couldn't find much. There are a couple grilles that are $250-270 before taxes that look alright, but they don't eliminate the stock grille it'self, it just goes over top of it so you can still see the faint "GMC" under it, which I don't like.

Like that.

 

[ferraiolo1]

Most people remove the emblem and black everything out. But make sure to post pics of your progress

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[Jasen]

My truck had a billet grill when I got it, like the one you posted, but it wasn't quite working for me, so I bobbed it for that more classic GMC set back look.

Buffed

• Jasen
• Jul 14, 2016

Black out grill

• Jasen
• Jul 14, 2016

Z71 off road grill badge

• Jasen
• Sep 4, 2016

 

[TooTall999]

Check this out https://www.mcmaster.com/#expanded-metal/=15b76qv

 

[Alderson]

I'm having issues with it.. the metal bars aren't bending as easy as I thought and they aren't lining up as well as I thought since the curve in the chrome piece

 

[Alderson]

Came out not bad. I really wish I would have found one piece of mesh instead of using two. I just rockguarded it, so the thick texture should cover the tiny ziptie heads and blend the two blacks together so you won't beable to notice.

 

[Alderson]

Finished. Might add the GMC logo back onto it, but I'm not sure yet

 

[ferraiolo1]

Looks pretty snazzy!

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[ZekerMan]

Looks good! Let us see it when you get it mounted on the truck.

 

[Alderson]

Ran into a snag when installing. I have the mesh bent out/in on the top and bottom so it's snug against the top/bottom. Problem is the top part, I didn't cut out the bend mesh so it can sit ontop of the metal bracket mounting points on the truck.
I'll have to run to the store tomorrow after work and pick up another overpriced pack of dremel blades to finish it off.

 

[Alderson]

Turned out alright after I trimmed off the bit of metal.
2 things I don't like is how you can see the bracket in behind it, and along the top how the plastic trim is exposed.

I'm thinking about putting the gmc logo back on to hide the brackets

 

[ZekerMan]

Looking good on the truck!! I do think the GMC emblem would look very good on it as well.

 

[AmericanZ71]

That came out great man! I think the emblem will do a good job of hiding the brackets.