GM has finally come out with a factory winter grille cover for our Duramax Vans.
Here is the GM part number

20945968

whats it look like?

I don't have pictures but the picture I saw on the parts dept. computer shows that it attaches with hooks not snaps and has an opening in the center bottom for cooling

120559Kind of like this but without the diamond pattern and attaches with hooks not snaps.
And it is a GM part.

kinda ugly....

kinda ugly....

Well it's not for winning beauty contest, but it looks a heck of a lot better than having a cut up cardboard box over your grille in the winter. So that your engine stays warm and you actually have heat in your van.

Winter fronts are for girls. I have thought about making some lexan/ss grill inserts that would look much better.

Well it's not for winning beauty contest, but it looks a heck of a lot better than having a cut up cardboard box over your grille in the winter. So that your engine stays warm and you actually have heat in your van.

i have the auxillary heater, so i'm warm. :cool: :p:

I am in and out of my van so much I never bothered to do anything. I usually pull the fan off my 6.5 in the winter but have not tried on the van

Winter fronts are for girls. I have thought about making some lexan/ss grill inserts that would look much better.


I 'm not one that's too concerned about looks ie. cardboard box. It made my van look like I went shopping at redneck mart. I agree the lexan would look better but the GM one that is made for the van with no snaps and easy on and off is only $34.00 at the dealer. I drive a lot and I do notice a small improvement in mpg in the cold weather and i have heat. From when I used the box on my grille.

That pic isn't a factory one. That one goes on with snaps. It did help warm up on days I didn't leave town with the van. (Small town, only 1 street with speed limit above 35, 9000 population)

That pic isn't a factory one. That one goes on with snaps. It did help warm up on days I didn't leave town with the van. (Small town, only 1 street with speed limit above 35, 9000 population)


I know that the pic is not the factory one. That is why next to the picture I said this:
Kind of like this but without the diamond pattern and attaches with hooks not snaps.
And it is a GM part.

Here's a couple of pictures of what the GM cover looks like on my van.
I don't think it looks too bad. It looks much better than the cardboard box I was using.
I'll post pics in the daylight, and with the cover off so you all can see what it looks like on both sides and where it hooks at. And No ugly snaps

The pic of the white sticker is the part number, and the price was $33.35 at the dealer which is about $40 cheaper than the aftermarket ones with the snaps.

Nice I had a snap style before I took out a doe last Oct. Since I got a new grill I did not want to screw anything into it. Call going into dealer tomorrow a.m. to order one. I was just waiting for someone (you) to buy one and take pics. Thank you ;) . My van must feel special this mouth I am at about 1k in goodies this month so far. Does it have a flap for the hole or is open all da time?? Tinks for post'in.

Thanks for the pics and part number. Which dealer do you use? I'm looking for a good one in Michigan.

Nice I had a snap style before I took out a doe last Oct. Since I got a new grill I did not want to screw anything into it. Call going into dealer tomorrow a.m. to order one. I was just waiting for someone (you) to buy one and take pics. Thank you ;) . My van must feel special this mouth I am at about 1k in goodies this month so far. Does it have a flap for the hole or is open all da time?? Tinks for post'in.


No it's open all the time. However that is how GM designed for that application. They ship these with all the new DMAX vans shipped to cold climates. I kept hesitating buying a grille cover because i did not want the snaps and, I hated the diamond pattern, and I wanted one that GM made for that vehicle because the diesel mechanic at the dealer I bought it at said there has to be some air going through there. So this one has the vent exactly the right size, and in exactly the right spot.
Also it looks sooooo much better than the aftermarket diamond pattern one.

So what exactly do the hooks hook onto?

Seems to me that there could be something that would snap into the grille,
but I guess the problem with that is that it would have to be specific to GMC or Chevy,
whereas I assume the GM cover will fit either one.

Thanks for the pics and part number. Which dealer do you use? I'm looking for a good one in Michigan.


I use Milnes Chevrolet in Imlay City MI. Exit 168 off I-69 go north past the traffic light and it's on the west side of the road.
Their phone number is 810-724-0561 ask for Mike in parts and tell him Percy sent you.
They are about 35miles west of Port Huron

So what exactly do the hooks hook onto?

Seems to me that there could be something that would snap into the grille,
but I guess the problem with that is that it would have to be specific to GMC or Chevy,
whereas I assume the GM cover will fit either one.

There are a couple of holes in the body under the hood. The hooks are actually attached together on a thin bungee cord that kinda pulls the whole thing tight that hook above the headlights and five J-clips that hook under the grille and one at the top in front of the hood latch. I attached a pic from the 2011 Duramax owners manual.
It is the same part number whether you have a GMC or Chevy.

Thanks for the pics and part number. Which dealer do you use? I'm looking for a good one in Michigan.

Piper the few I use in MI. are Bill Wink in Dearborn, Art Moehn in Jackson (right off 94), Caron in Marshall (right off 69 first exit south of 94) and Heritage in Battle Creek. Take your pick. I think the closest one to your yard that I have used is Dick Genthe in Southgate near the corner of Eureka & Dix Toledo.

Thanks 60...did any one of them stand out in particular? I'm looking for one who gives low pricing on parts (not worried about service, dealer at home will do any warranty work).

Thanks 60...did any one of them stand out in particular? I'm looking for one who gives low pricing on parts (not worried about service, dealer at home will do any warranty work).

Heritage in Battle creek has always had the best price out of the ones I used up there. Now, Hubler Chevrolet in Greenwood, IN. just south of 465 on U.S. 31 (indy south side area) has the best prices, just tell them that it is for a CMV :rolleyes: and they usually give a little above cost. I have bought a lot from them is the past, but do to there location I have not used then in awhile as I don't go to IN. much anymore. But still call them to do price checking when I am shopping around.

Van threads allways make my day dmax vans are awesome


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Ordered!!! :D $47.66 here in VA., shipped from Lansing, MI. of course. Every where I called up here had to order it so I guess I am paying 13.00 more for the shipping to VA. Will pick it up next time I am home. I priced a driver side sun visor for the van.....109.20 :eek:. Looks like I will be call'in the junk yards!! Second time I have snapped that little plastic peg that holds the visor up, don't bother gluing it, it makes a mess

What is the size of the opening and what are engine/trans temps like on warmer days ?

Thanks

What is the size of the opening and what are engine/trans temps like on warmer days ?

Thanks

Here is some pics you can probably judge the size of the opening but I would say it is 4" tall by like 24" wide

Image 22,23 are close ups so you can get a feel for the size and location of the opening, notice the mesh. I did not know there would be mesh in the opening, I kinda like it. 24 is the passenger side hook 25 is the driver side hook. 26 is the hook for middle of the cover, slides under hood release and clips on to the plastic trim. 27 is just the clip unhooked so you can get a better look at it.

Takes about 2 mins to install and about 3-4 to uninstall, so u don't break the clips that hold the bottom of the cover to the grill.

Instructions say to take it off at above 32 degrees and do not use it when towing.

Thank you for the pics.

I ordered mine today, I will post up when i get it and how much.