How To: Denali Grille Install

[cmatt]

Although a number of us have done it, I thought it might be useful to show some additional info to consider when I installed a Denali grille on my 2015i SLT.

These instructions do a great job of showing you the majority of the bolts that need to be removed.
https://www.realtruck.com/shared/pdf/manufacturers/2/270519b.pdf

However, I found there to be less of a chance of damaging the bumper if you loosen these three 7mm screws that attach the bumper cover guides on each side. Ask me how I know...

Looking up from behind the bumper and in front of the wheel well liner (pulled back).


Outside view.


Loosened. Notice how it's rotated outboard.


Bumper assembly removed.


There're two rivets that need to be removed before separating the grille from the bumper. One on top of each vertical part of the bumper that comes up on both sides of the grille.


Bottom view.


I used a pair of side cutters to remove them without damaging the plastic. If you want to replace them, they are the same rivet used with the front license plate bracket. None of the bumper/grille parts diagrams showed them.


Now separate the grille from the clips that surround it's perimeter.


Voila!




All buttoned up.


Clips I broke when removing bumper.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Pohlease]

Thanks for this post.

 

[Rmayrap]

Nice writeup, I'm sure this will help a lot of people.

 

[Pohlease]

This video is a Chevy but most of the steps are the same!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BigVette427]

n/t

 

[John Root]

Hi, i am also impress after get details and hope attached link will help a lot to know details.

Thanks a ton from my end and expect more update from you.

 

[Craig MacDonald]

ballpark guestimate time wise?

 

[cmatt]

ballpark guestimate time wise?

First time I’d say 45-60 mins. I’ve got it down to 15-20 mins now.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Denali4181]

This video is a Chevy but most of the steps are the same!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think it's hilarious the guy in the video just man handles the bumper cover when separating it from the bumper cover guide. It's obvious he has broke some of the tabs. I hope this is his ride and not a customer's. I would bet pretty much every dealer does it this way also... pathetic in my opinion. If that were my ride I would be pissed.

 

[Yukon not UConn]

I just did this and thanks so much for the write-up, it was very helpful. The tip on loosening the side brackets is a great one!

One thing I'll add: You actually don't have to remove the outside perimeter grille piece. You really just need to swap out the black plastic and the center grille section. The benefit of this is that you do not need to remove the two rivets in the upper corners. All you need to do is to remove the Phillips screws around the bottom and sides and then release the clips at the top and the center section will come out. The downside of this method is that you won't be replacing the outer bezel, so only do this if your current grille is in equal condition to the one you are replacing. Here's what it looks like with only the center section removed: