The Grille I bought off Ebay showed up today.
It was pack well and while the box could have been in better shape when it arrived, the grille showed no signs of damage.
Here are some pic's I took. Once it stops raining (they say next weekend) I'll see how it fits on the truck, then I'll get it painted.

And the last 2

What did it cost?

It will be interesting to see the finished product. :ro)

$352.40 shipped, off of Ebay.
Crawler has had one for some time now. Pic's in his sig.

How "beefy" is it? Are you pleased with it? I really like the look ...just a lot of $$$ ...and when it's the only one available they have you by the ba^%s. :) If I give you my mailing address can I borrow it for about 5 years? :)

"beefy" isn't the word that I would use. Once I can get the stock one off the truck I'll compare the two and let you know. I'm happy so far...still need to test fit it on the truck, If it ever quits raining...
If I loan it to you for 5, that only leaves me with 5 ):h .

Beautiful!!!:)

Managed to made room in the garage today to get the nose of the truck in.:rolleyes:
Stock grille is much more stout than the Big Mouth. I believe, this is due to the fact that the stock grille is made up of 3 pieces and the BM is just one. The plastic looks to be about the same thickness. Once it's in it should not be a problem.
The fit is just OK, but I will be able to make it work. 1) Had to cut some off the top so that I could get my finger in to unlatch the hood. 2) No holes in the top for the plastic clips. I'll drill those out when I do the final install. 3) The corners and angles are not as clean as the stock grille. 4) I may have some rubbing on the head lights but a little sand paper will fix that.
The grille is mounted using some metal clips. While it is possible to get them off I think I'll leave them on the original grille and get some more (Eric?), cheap insurance against breaking the stock grille.
The bowtie went on with out a problem.
Goes to paint on Monday.:ro)

And the last one.

Thanks for the update and info. It does look real nice. It will look even better painted. Let me know what it costs to have it painted.

Paint is costing me TO MUCH.:eek: But it's a local place that I've used before and they do good work. They say it's considered a 2 tone because of the clear coat.Censored Censored Censored

Plenty of mounting beverages on display.

Paint is costing me TO MUCH.:eek: But it's a local place that I've used before and they do good work. They say it's considered a 2 tone because of the clear coat.Censored Censored Censored

That's Bullsh#t. I've had plenty of fenders and such painted and never had a shop tell me it's a two tone because of the clear coat. How much are they charging you?

I was told that most shops should do it for $60 - $100 as there isn't a lot there to paint. Two tone? -ha I would think most all cars today are paint with clearcoat. Don't let them screw you ...get a couple quotes.

Note to self; You can't see the front of the truck in storefront windows as you drive by, no mater how many times you try. :rolleyes: Also, while your suppose to be watching the vehicle in front of you, trying to see the front of your truck is not a good idea!!!:eek:

If you are a perfectionist or think this grille should fit better or even as good as the stock one, stop reading here.

I should have pulled the clips and done a better job of test fitting. Had to do a lot more trimming. None of it shows, but it should have been done before paint. I know better, but thought that when I set the grille in, I had a good idea how it would fit. The clips proved me wrong. Another reason for test fitting with the clips is to insure that they fit. The tabs where to big, more trimming. Now, I know why they say it takes about an hour to install. It takes 2 minutes to remove the old grille and 2 more minutes to install the new one. But it takes 56 minutes to do all the trimming and test fitting.

I ended up using the metal clips off the stock grille. As it turns out they are very easy to take off. Insert large screwdriver and twist, they will almost fall off. When you set the grille in, don't push on the grille it self. You will push the clips down on the taps and it will not line-up flush with the lights. You should reach down and push the clips in the retainers. That way if the grille sticks out to far, you can then push on the face of it, until it lines-up. If you force the clip to far down the tap and need to get it off, it’s not nearly as easy to get off...believe me...that was 30 of those 56 minutes.

The grille looks good from a distance, I think, but up-close you can see that the fit just is not right. I'm still keeping it, just thought I would warn you all.

I also did some very rough/quick measurements of the openings, Stock 265 sq. in., BM 285 sq. in.

I guess I should have waited for your review before ordering mine! :( Sorry to hear about the problems/issues. Hope you didn't get raped on paint. I know I'm a very picky person ...and most people wouldn't notice but what are those black square blocks across the top/bottom of the grille? Could they be painted white or something to blend in so you couldn't see them?

You had me going there for a bit ...thought you rearended someone with the new grille trying to get a shot of it in the store windows. :)

Almost rearended someone trying to see the reflection of the truck off the back of their car:rolleyes:

Those are the mounts for the insert.

For your concerns of looking good I think it looks great. Nice job. I can see a small difference at the top inside headlights where the grill meets the hood, but other than that it looks great.

Enjoy the AC improvement. Bet that keeps your truck cooler.

akdiesel,Thanks
masterp2, I was hoping that the opening would be bigger, but the Bowtie eats up most of that 20 in.

Wanadmxsub...

I was checking out the pic's of your truck and the new grille (sweet!) and I noticed you have the camper style mirrors. I also noticed both mirrors have , I would assume , little half mirrors on top of them ..They look pretty cool.

I too , have the camper mirrors on my 04 and I would love to get some better rear vision (particularly on on pass side )... Can you tell me who makes them and where I might be able to pick up a pair..... Thanks , Kevin

black04hd...
here is a link to a thread about the mirrors. In it you will find a better pic of them and a link to the web page.

http://dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7838&highlight=mirrors

Finally had time to wash the rest of the truck...so here it is with the new grille...

Looks real nice....and clean too. Mine looks somehwere between white and pewter as it's filthy and won't wash until the forecast calls for no rain up here in Oregon. I figure I should be able to wash mine sometime in June :) I'll post picts of mine once I get it installed. Still hasn't shipped from precision design :(

LOL...Lived in Salem for a couple of years and know what you mean:mad:

Looks real nice....and clean too. Mine looks somehwere between white and pewter as it's filthy and won't wash until the forecast calls for no rain up here in Oregon. I figure I should be able to wash mine sometime in June :) I'll post picts of mine once I get it installed. Still hasn't shipped from precision design :(

LOL...Lived in Salem for a couple of years and know what you mean:mad:
Welcome to my world ... I live in Keizer :)

Wanadmxsub ,

Thanks for the link .As soon as my 04 comes back from the body shop (bought new Dec 21,has 442 miles) after getting crunched (made me sick to my stomach) last monday due to snow/ice...NOT BY ME , Ain't love grand !!!! I will be starting the upgrades I have been planning . Lift ,wheels, exhaust,hard cover ect ...And the wife now say's go for it .....I wonder why !!!

Your dmax looks great with the hummer wheels . I have been looking for a set of the chrome hummer wheels for my 04. I found a set of the non chrome ones but I didnt think they would look as good on a black truck as the chrome.. so , still looking. .....

Sure miss my truck !! Thanks again for the link ...Kevin

Here's Mine


Sorry for the late reply. I've been out of town.
http://www.smdieselperformance.com/dieselperformance/id34.html

Later,
Wes
(903) 355-4475

I really like the all white look.
But I catch myself standing on, jumping on and running into (lawnmower/wheelbarrow) my bumpers all the time so I decided, in my case, I was better off just leaving them stock.

You guys have made the Chevy front end look alot better with that set up.

Maybe it's just me.....but is this new grille designed to allow more air through? The actual surface area seems smaller on the new one, and the fins are tighter together compared to the cross hatch screen on the stocker.

I think it would be better/bigger without the upper section (where the grille meets the center of the hood), as the stocker doesn't have any cross bar that meets the hood.

If you take the fins out of the BM and the cross hatch out of the stock grille the BM has about 20 sq. in. more surface area. Having both fins and the cross hatch next to each other it "appears", to me, that the fins will let in more air. That's just my observation, nothing scientific.<O:p</O:p

I agree with you 100% about losing that top bar. I even contemplated painting it black, briefly. Would look even better with a vertical insert.:D Yea like that.

Maybe it's just me.....but is this new grille designed to allow more air through? The actual surface area seems smaller on the new one, and the fins are tighter together compared to the cross hatch screen on the stocker.

I think it would be better/bigger without the upper section (where the grille meets the center of the hood), as the stocker doesn't have any cross bar that meets the hood.

Now, for the rest of the story, so far...<O:p</O:p

When I received the grille the insert wasn't centered and was rubbing on the plastic. No problem looked like plenty of room to center it when I did the install. Sure enough, got it back from paint and installed the insert. No problem, nothing touching and I could wiggle the fins with out them touching anything...I was showing off my new grille this morning to a coworker when I noticed a bug between the insert and the cover. When I went to pick it out it turned out to be a chip in the paint. Yep, the fin vibrated/bounced and chipped the paint:mad: Censored :mad: Censored :mad: Censored . I can't slide the grille the other way because there is a fin on the opposite side that is rubbing the paint.:mad: Censored :mad: Censored :mad: CensoredNot sure when I will have time, but I'm going to try and see if I can get the insert to shift up. I don't think it has that much play but the only other thing I can do is grind off some of the fin.
Are we having fun yet???

Not to sound like your Father, but.....

What was wrong with the original grille???
:rolleyes:

):h

I think at a minimum the BM grille will allow the same amount of air as the stock grille and probably more. At least there will be more airflow across the center. It will allow more airflow then any type of bolt-over grille that mounts to the OEM honeycomb. Looks like mine arrives tomorrow ...only difference will be that it has the PD "phat" billet grille. Just have my doubts now about how it will fit. Fingers crossed.

Not to sound like your Father, but.....

What was wrong with the original grille???
:rolleyes:

):h
Probably the thing as the stock wheels/tires, exhaust, etc. :) I have no doubt one day I'll wake up and ask self "Why didn't I just leave it stock?" I personally have been down the "fix'r up road" many times and have never learned my lesson. Would make much more sense to drive a 75 Chevy with 200K miles and invest the payment/accessorizing $$$ :)

WanaDmxsub, sorry to hear about the chipping. Not good!

Note to self, get touch-up paint. :)

Sorry about this...but it's true
Actually you sound like my 70 year old mother:rolleyes:
First thing my mother said when see saw the truck with the H2's was "Why did you have to take off the stock tires? What was wrong with them?"

I like the look of the BM and had hopes that it would flow more air.

Not to sound like your Father, but.....

What was wrong with the original grille???
:rolleyes:

):h

Received my grille today. Got it installed and trimmed. Like WanaDmxSub I had to trim all mounting tabs to make the OEM clips fit and also around the hood/lever area. Just dropped off at paint and should have the shell back by Friday.

http://home.comcast.net/~tophog/duramax/images/bigmouth/grille1.jpg

Looks like the same # of fins, yours are just fatter. I like it, looks better than mine.:ro) Did you have to do any triming for the head lights?

Looks like the same # of fins, yours are just fatter. I like it, looks better than mine.:ro) Did you have to do any triming for the head lights?
Hmmm, guess the fatter bars made me think there were fewer then on yours. Yes, the insert is the "phat" billet insert made by Precision. You can read more info on it on their web site.

http://www.precisiondesign.com/

I do like the fatter bars but will also get less air. I didn't have to trim around headlights at all ...just the tabs and hood latch area.

Heck,
would it not be easier just to get a GMC ????

I would have bought a GMC if my GM supplier discount would have applied to GMC vehicles but I wasn't going to pay +$4K more just to get a GMC. A $400 grille was cheaper for me. Also, I would have bought a chevy over a GMC if they wouldn't have changed the 01/02 body style. Eventually they'll screw up the GMC body style too. :)

GMC's have appealed more to me since the 92-93 switch that Chevy made.

If they would just switch them slightly each year, it would almost go un-noticed. But they wait and change it DRASTICALLY every 2-3 years.

When I bought my truck, I did most of my shopping online. The GMC dealers never responded. I didn't care if it was a GMC or a Chevy. I knew exactly what options I wanted. Just needed someone to find it and sell it to me. As it turned out, I found it before they did, bought it from someone else and got a better deal.

tophog,
I can't go to the precision design site anymore. I keep wanting to get a vertical...

You might email Precision and explain the problem with your grille and the paint flaking ...and ask if they might exchange it for a vertical (assuming one's available). Might be worth a shot.

All done. Scale of 1-10 I rate an 8. fit isn't perfect but I'll live with it. Much better then the stock grille IMO. Still procrastinating about putting on my billet bowtie. Think I like more without.

http://home.comcast.net/~tophog/duramax/images/bigmouth/bm2.jpg

Looks great w/o the bowtie! The way I look at it....Unless Chevy is paying you to advertise for them....take it off!

I like debadging everything I can. The clean look.

Looks great :D <---Big MOUTH GrinAll done. Scale of 1-10 I rate an 8. fit isn't perfect but I'll live with it. Much better then the stock grille IMO. Still procrastinating about putting on my billet bowtie. Think I like more without.

http://home.comcast.net/~tophog/duramax/images/bigmouth/bm2.jpg

All done. Scale of 1-10 I rate an 8. fit isn't perfect but I'll live with it. Much better then the stock grille IMO.
Which scale are you referring to? ease of install? or quality? I assume
you mean quality/fit/finish, since it shouldn't be that hard to install
right?

thanks,

T.

I was referring to my own general thumbs up scale :) Finish is fine ... the shell is ABS plastic. Painters did an excellent job as well. The shell itself had to be trimmed and drilled, specifically the mounting tabs and area where the hood hinge is and holes across top so radiator cover can secure to top of grille. The grille does not come predrilled.

These are the basic steps to install.

1) Remove OEM grille and all metal clips from mounting tabs

2) Install clips on BM grille, most likely this cannot be done because mounting tabs are too fat/long for clips to fit and must be trimmed.

3) Install BM grille for test fit.

4) Trim again as needed, test fit, etc.

5) Install top radiator cover with BM installed. Drill holes along top of BM grille using holes in radiator cover as template

6) Enlarge area (cut) in BM grille around hood hinge area so you can actually open the hood

5) Remove clips from BM grille and reinstall OEM grille

6) Remove billet insert from BM grille

7) Have BM shell painted.

8) Reinstall billet insert into BM grille being very careful not to scratch new paint :)

9) Repeat steps 1-3 for final install

It's a silvierra

It looks excellent. Me wants! If you don't mind me asking, where did you get it and how much was it? The only place I could find online was Stylin Concepts, they wanted 450 or so plus shipping, 3-4 weeks out...

I think he said Ebay?

I never seen a grill like that, looks very good. Would look good on my 02 if that make them. But I'm done with the front, I spent too long putting on the one I got now.

aztrucks.com is where I bought mine. All these grille are special order only ...a few places like Stylin concepts stocks the BM grille like Wanadaxsub has with the classic grille insert but they are over priced and their shipping is ridiculous. Just call AZTrucks.com and tell them you want the Precision Design grille for an 03/04 Silverado ...you can get the part numbers of Precsion designs web site.

I think he said Ebay?

I never seen a grill like that, looks very good. Would look good on my 02 if that make them. But I'm done with the front, I spent too long putting on the one I got now.
There have been the wide-open (aka big mouth) grilles available for the pre-03 trucks for quite awhile. I bought one on eBay months ago as it was advertised as fitting the 03's. Had to send it back.

Here is the one I'm talking about. Looks good and about 1/5 the cost of the Precision big-mouth ...and you don't have to paint.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7948754540&category=33645

Thanks Tophog... Anybody wanna buy a SS Speed Grille?

WanaDmxsub

Thanks for the link... (sorry for the late response)
Picked up a pair of the Auxilary mirrors today at a local "Camping world" .
Should be a big help when towing my travel trailer...
Now I just need to get my truck back so I can mount them !!

Thanks again ,Kevin

tophog,
Have your allen bolts started rusting yet.:(

tophog,
Have your allen bolts started rusting yet.:(
Not sure,haven't looked ...don't want to now :) We're your bolts black?

tophog;

now painted it looks really cool :rocking:

Yea, they were.Not sure,haven't looked ...don't want to now :) We're your bolts black?