The practical purpose for the grille is rather simple, it is a truck part, designed primarily to cover an opening that allows air to enter the radiator and cool the engine. The grille is usually found at the front end, although grilles can also be located on other areas of a motor vehicle, like the rear or below the front bumper.
The grille over the years has evolved from this simple functionality into something more — it gives your motor vehicle its style, beauty and some might even say soul. GMC, Chevy, Ford or Dodge trucks have all develop distinctive styling and grille architecture that defines and identify their brand in a very unique way.
Customizing, replacing or restoring the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) grille is an opportunity for owners to give their trucks a personality transplant and transform the look to reflect certain characteristics, like sturdy, tough or heavy duty. And sometimes on a brilliant sun-drenched summer day, the grille on your truck can shout made in USA, the land of the brave and the home of the free.
The OEM grilles are mostly made from plastic however the fun comes in the aftermarket products like the shinning and polished chrome aluminum or stainless steel with the classic billet or mesh patterns. Here is where LMC.com comes in. They have a wide variety of the OEM and aftermarket grille product. Example the stainless steel punch grille for Chevrolet, the sterling bullet grille for Dodge Ram truck, Ford chrome grille for 1948-50 Ford pickup truck — a beauty.
Luckily most of these aftermarket grilles are easy to install because they are what in the industry is called bolt over style. That means the customized grille is simply bolted over the OEM grille with bolts, brackets and clamps. This is a big plus for do it yourself enthusiast and also helps make the cost reasonably. However if the OEM has to be removed then it might get complicated, so taking your truck to your favorite mechanic would be prudent.