IS the GM one good enough, or is it junk?

I have the GM one, and I have to say it's pretty nice, though not cheap.

Tom

I use the gm one, I had considered the one they sell at cabelas or equivalent it has 2 flap you can pull back and button open so I don't have to take it off when the temp gets over 32-35

I installed my GM cover for the 1st time this winter when temps were getting below 0 (F)...had a hell of a time installing it when my fingers were numb from the cold air and the material doesn't stretch real well. Also, I was worryied about overheating if I left it on after the ambient temps got back to normal, but hated the thought of having to remove and reinstall that thing again. I just took it off and left it off for now.

Its because of this point, I would recommend a different cover which has flaps for the warmer days. You can install it in warmer temps and then zip/button up when you need it. Of course, this is ideal for areas that frequently see temp variations that rise above 35(F) and then quickly dip back below 0(F).

Hope this helps!

I use the factory GM cover, it was included with the purchase of the truck. I have not noticed anything out of the ordinary running the cover when its in the 30's or low 40's. I have both the winter front and bumper cover on. I would start to worry if the engine and or trans started running on the hotter side but neither has happened yet for me.

I purchased the one from cabelas. It does have the two flaps in the front that open for those not so cold days. But it also comes off in 10 seconds and can be reinstalled just as quickly.

Stock GM part fast and easy to put on or take off

I use the factory GM one. I put it on in Nov when we get a cold burst and havnt taken it off yet. We've even seen days up in the 50's and its still on the truck. I plow with it on and have no issues. Ill take it off in the next month or so when the temps get above 50 and stay.

I have the stock Chevy one but it was to cold -25F when I attempted to put it on...said screw it after my eye lids were freezing shut and have gone the winter without it. Guess I should have bought a house with a heated garage.

I use the factory GM one. I put it on in Nov when we get a cold burst and havnt taken it off yet. We've even seen days up in the 50's and its still on the truck. I plow with it on and have no issues. Ill take it off in the next month or so when the temps get above 50 and stay.

X2 I've been using mine for 2 winters and no issues works good. $67 from the dealer 2 years ago just for the grill cover.

dont even think of puttin' the GM one on if you havn't put it on when it was warm.

dont even think of puttin' the GM one on if you havn't put it on when it was warm.

No kiddin', PITA indeed !

I should just Ebay mine off and buy an aftermarket that's easy to install/remove.

No kiddin', PITA indeed !

I should just Ebay mine off and buy an aftermarket that's easy to install/remove.

It is ahrd the first time but once you have it formed from the winter before , it only takes a couple minutes or less to put the tabs behind the grill and snap it in place. But if it is new and you don't have a warm place to put it on then look into some thing else or just wait til next year.

Im supprised noone has made a louver system for behind the grill. One pull of a lever under the hood and its closed. Or go one farther and put a door lock actuator on it and a thermostat, ambient over 40* it opens automaticly. I should really build and patent my ideas, but if someone wants to take a crack at it.

Im supprised noone has made a louver system for behind the grill. One pull of a lever under the hood and its closed. Or go one farther and put a door lock actuator on it and a thermostat, ambient over 40* it opens automaticly. I should really build and patent my ideas, but if someone wants to take a crack at it.

That's a good idea. I just thought if they had louvers like the vents on my snowmobile hood it would be easy to do. You just slide a plastic tab and they close.

Those that keep their cover on when its +40F or warmer...is this just with the grill cover only or also the bumper too? If both, I'm surprised you would not be worried about OH issues, especially when towing.

Also, regarding my previous post on the difficult installation...I would agree that the grill cover by itself is not too bad to install, even in cooler temps, but to install the bumper cover on after was not something I wish to do again :mad:.

Definitely like the louver concept!:)

I found both the Gm grill and bumper cover on ebay for $69 shipped to me. Been running it even through the warm days (mid 40's) without any problems. I would still take it off for towing though. I think it took me longer to try and fit the bumper cover around my liscence plate than actually snapping it in place.

I would defenitly take them both off for towing when its "warmer" out but as I said I have both the grill and bumper cover on and today on my way home from work 40 miles of highway with temp outside of 50 degrees engine never went above 195 and trans was 160. Quite a ways away from overheating either one.

If i were to design a Louver for behind the grill would anyone be interrested in testing it? I woudl have all summer to design and build a prototype or two, it just doesnt get cold enough here to really prove it.

If i were to design a Louver for behind the grill would anyone be interrested in testing it? I woudl have all summer to design and build a prototype or two, it just doesnt get cold enough here to really prove it.

I would. Sounds like a good idea! Let me know what you come up with.
It usually get's pretty cold here. This year we've seen -30* with -50 windchills. The truck doesn't like to warm up at all in those conditions.

Ill make a new thread once I get some ideas together. While im on the subject how much air gets to the radiator with a cold front on? Would I want to cut all of the air flow or just most of it? How many people run the bumper cover, and at what temperature is blocking the bumper inlets necessary? Any other info I should know??

Ill make a new thread once I get some ideas together. While im on the subject how much air gets to the radiator with a cold front on? Would I want to cut all of the air flow or just most of it? How many people run the bumper cover, and at what temperature is blocking the bumper inlets necessary? Any other info I should know??

I don't run the bumper cover. I don't really know what it is supposed to cover because there is only 2 inlets for air to come through the bumper so why would you need to cover the whole bumper?
I also can't cover my bumper because I put the block heater plug in my bumper.
The grill cover I think blocks most of the air coming through the radiator. I am sure there is still some air that gets by the sides of the grill and around the headlights But minimal. Maybe it would be nice to have something small to cover the 2 inlets in the bumper instead of the whole bumper. Maybe something you can just reach under the bumper and slide a piece over the inlets that is permantly fixed to the back of the bumper some how.