mapkos13
TYF Newbie
I just thought I'd share my experience in replacing my OEM Denali grille with the aftermarket grille from Grillcraft.
To begin if you have a Denali you have to buy a regular Yukon grilled to use. They can be found on ebay for around $10-$30 which is where I got mine. They are the same size however the frame itself is different which you need to secure the new grille insert into.
I started by removing the middle out of the Yukon frame per the instructions. Nothing too hard here. A reciprocating saw would work great. I used a Dremel and it worked fine too. When you are done you should be left with what look like teeth along the edges. These teeth are where you drill and screw the support screws into.
Bring it all down and lay it at your feet in front of the Denali. There are only six bolts to remove along the top. Two small ones on the ends and four in the middle. Take these out and set them aside.
Next by looking at the grille at your feet look at where the clips are. They will be in the same location. This isn't hard. Take a flat head and insert between the foam (gray-you'll see it), and the stock grille frame. Basically slide it in, (yes, "thats what she said") and press down to release the clip. That and a bit of a pull and it'll start working loose all the way around until its free.
Now the really easy part. Snap the new one in place. Line it up and give it a good pop all the way around. You'll hear it click into place. The top two clips were broken on mine but it didn't matter as the bolts more than hold it in place. Put in the six bolts and you're done with the top. Total time took maybe ten minutes tops.
Part one done-
Now for the pain in the a** lower grille.
Removal was very easy. Get underneath and pop the clips out as above. Also there is a plastic cover that goes from side to side covering around the tow hooks. This basically pops off with some plugs that keep it in place. Just give it a good push and they'll unseat.
Now this is the part that stinks- The lower grille mounts pretty nicely into the space for it. The issue is there is no easy way to get your hands in there to screw it into place due to a plastic inset that is part of the lower bumper.
Through some trial and error this is what I did. I removed the center section of the inset with my Dremel. This left me with just enough room to get my hands in there from under and behind. I'm guessing this isn't the same on all of the Yukons and allows Grillcraft to say no cutting, etc. on their instructions. Trust me, you need to remove. I kept the sides in tact but structurally see no need for it other than to hold the lower OEM grille into place.
Screw the bottom into place from the front of the vehicle. Basically you'll reach down inside the grille and fasten it. Now get under and you'll work the top screw into place with the provided hardware. Once done get to the side and lock them in and you're done. I added a little red Lock Tight for good measure.
The lower grille will be easier if you have someone to help align the pilot holes you drilled. You just can't hold it in place from the underside and line it up and hold the screw and screw it in. Can't be done. Well at least I couldn't.
I've attached one pic from my mobile and will put more in when I'm done. I needed to make an adjustment to the lower grille but this will give you an idea.
I've also attached what the lower grille pieces look like so you have an idea of what and where the clips are.
I hope this helps. If anyone has any questions send me a PM and if you are looking to buy the upper/lower grille as a set make me an offer.
Good luck-
To begin if you have a Denali you have to buy a regular Yukon grilled to use. They can be found on ebay for around $10-$30 which is where I got mine. They are the same size however the frame itself is different which you need to secure the new grille insert into.
I started by removing the middle out of the Yukon frame per the instructions. Nothing too hard here. A reciprocating saw would work great. I used a Dremel and it worked fine too. When you are done you should be left with what look like teeth along the edges. These teeth are where you drill and screw the support screws into.
Bring it all down and lay it at your feet in front of the Denali. There are only six bolts to remove along the top. Two small ones on the ends and four in the middle. Take these out and set them aside.
Next by looking at the grille at your feet look at where the clips are. They will be in the same location. This isn't hard. Take a flat head and insert between the foam (gray-you'll see it), and the stock grille frame. Basically slide it in, (yes, "thats what she said") and press down to release the clip. That and a bit of a pull and it'll start working loose all the way around until its free.
Now the really easy part. Snap the new one in place. Line it up and give it a good pop all the way around. You'll hear it click into place. The top two clips were broken on mine but it didn't matter as the bolts more than hold it in place. Put in the six bolts and you're done with the top. Total time took maybe ten minutes tops.
Part one done-
Now for the pain in the a** lower grille.
Removal was very easy. Get underneath and pop the clips out as above. Also there is a plastic cover that goes from side to side covering around the tow hooks. This basically pops off with some plugs that keep it in place. Just give it a good push and they'll unseat.
Now this is the part that stinks- The lower grille mounts pretty nicely into the space for it. The issue is there is no easy way to get your hands in there to screw it into place due to a plastic inset that is part of the lower bumper.
Through some trial and error this is what I did. I removed the center section of the inset with my Dremel. This left me with just enough room to get my hands in there from under and behind. I'm guessing this isn't the same on all of the Yukons and allows Grillcraft to say no cutting, etc. on their instructions. Trust me, you need to remove. I kept the sides in tact but structurally see no need for it other than to hold the lower OEM grille into place.
Screw the bottom into place from the front of the vehicle. Basically you'll reach down inside the grille and fasten it. Now get under and you'll work the top screw into place with the provided hardware. Once done get to the side and lock them in and you're done. I added a little red Lock Tight for good measure.
The lower grille will be easier if you have someone to help align the pilot holes you drilled. You just can't hold it in place from the underside and line it up and hold the screw and screw it in. Can't be done. Well at least I couldn't.
I've attached one pic from my mobile and will put more in when I'm done. I needed to make an adjustment to the lower grille but this will give you an idea.
I've also attached what the lower grille pieces look like so you have an idea of what and where the clips are.
I hope this helps. If anyone has any questions send me a PM and if you are looking to buy the upper/lower grille as a set make me an offer.
Good luck-
