At first glance, a truck grille may seem like just a decorative piece that is mounted on the front of the vehicle to hide the engine. However, there is more to the grille than meets the eye at first. The grille allows air to flow through the engine compartment to keep your truck’s engine from overheating. It also acts as the first line of defense for the radiator and engine against rocks and other debris. The grille can also act as a protective component while in the crumple zone of your truck.
Why you should install a custom grille
Factory supplied grilles do not provide maximum protection for your vehicle, and it’s also pretty boring in terms of looks. Let’s take a look at the following 4 reasons why installing a custom grille is a worthwhile investment for your truck.
· Ultimate protection
Stock grilles do not always reliably protect the vehicle from damage caused by road debris. If rocks, gravel, sand, or other particles can enter the engine compartment, the car’s engine, radiator, air filters, and other parts can be damaged, resulting in costly repairs. The same debris can get stuck in the front brake discs and pads, causing extensive corrosion.
Custom grilles are made to the highest standards and can provide the best protection for the main components of your vehicle. High-performance cars require high-performance grilles, and when it comes to exterior accessories, the use of durable materials is critical.
Standard grilles are usually made of plastic with large gaps, which can cause rocks, gravel or other debris to enter the engine compartment. Custom grilles are made from more durable materials with mesh structures that keep unwanted debris out of your car’s hood and prevent costly damage.
· Increase the Performance of your Vehicle
Whether you prefer on-road or off-road travel, optimum performance is imperative. Some custom radiator grilles are designed with innovative technologies that can actually improve the performance of your truck. This upgrade can reduce drag and improve aerodynamic flow, allowing air to flow more easily through the engine. This ensures cooling and optimal engine performance.
· Give your Car a Unique Look and Stunning Style
Upgrading a custom grille could provide functional improvements, but let’s not forget about aesthetics. Custom grilles come in a variety of colors and styles to match any look you want. Customization gives you the ability to add your own style and make your vehicle stand out. The right grille can work wonders for taking your truck’s appearance to the next level.
· Increase Resale Value
Any upgrade you can make to your vehicle to protect the engine, improve the appearance and improve performance will increase the value of your truck if you decide to sell it in the future. Potential buyers will appreciate that you have protected the engine and its components, and also improved its appearance. This is an upgrade that they do not need to spend time and money on after buying a car, and therefore they are willing to pay more for your car up front.
Truck Grille Styles
Truck grilles come in a wide variety of styles, so you’re sure to find the look you want for your vehicle. Let’s take a look at the different types of custom grilles that exist.
Bar Billet Grilles
If you’re looking for a classic, elegant style, opt for the Bar Grille. These bolt-on grilles come in horizontal versions, or you can choose the vertical Bully Grille. Bar Grilles are available in aluminum, stainless steel, and ABS to fit every driver’s style and budget, and they easily replace or bolt on top of the factory grille.
Punch Billet Grilles
Another way to achieve a cool look is to cut holes in a solid piece of metal. Punch grilles will give your front end a bold chrome look while providing plenty of airflow for your engine.
Mesh Grilles
For a clean, high-performance look, choose mesh grids. These grids look like interwoven pieces of thin metal and look great both up close and from afar.
Snap-On Grille Shells
Grille Shells are very easy to install and instantly improve the style of your front end of the car. These grilles and frames are designed to fit right on top of the factory grille, and in many cases you won’t even need to use any tools. If you want to improve your look and still stay within your budget, Grille Shells grilles are the way to go.
Bumper Grilles
Grilles are not just in front of the engine. Many cars also have openings in their bumpers to provide extra airflow for cooling brakes and other parts. Don’t leave these openings bare – decorate them with a Bumper Cover. Bumper Grilles will accentuate your individual style and match other chrome accessories to create a unified look.
Grille Materials
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel provides a great look for years to come. If you live in a humid or high rainfall climate, stainless steel is the way to go.
Aluminum
Some of the radiator grilles are made from durable T6 aircraft-grade aluminum. This material is strong, affordable and lightweight. The aluminum looks great polished, but it can also be polished for a modern look or painted black for understated style.
ABS Composite
If you want an elegant look without the heaviness and high price tag, opt for an ABS plastic grille. ABS is the perfect choice for drivers looking for an easy-to-install, low-cost style upgrade.
Grille Installation
Virtually all custom grilles are designed with the exact year of manufacture, make and model in mind. This ensures not only a perfect, seamless look and fit, but also a relatively easy installation.
Many of the custom grilles completely replace the factory grilles. For these models, all you have to do is unbolt the grille from the hood, remove the grille from the body, and install the new one in place. In some cases, you will have to drill holes in the new grille to ensure an exact fit to your car’s existing holes.
Some Grille Inserts are simply installed over the factory grille. For these models, all you have to do is secure them in place with the brackets provided or use pre-installed automotive-grade tape. These grilles install in just a few minutes, so you’ll be back on the road with a new style in no time.
In Conclusion
If you want to transform your car into a stylish look, give it a new face with a custom grille. Upgrading your vehicle’s grille is not only a functional investment but a fun way to easily customize your truck.
