2018 Denali grille swap

[Pittz]

Still waiting for someone to do this on the color matched Tahoe. Can’t go wrong with updating a grill to the current year.

 

[2016YUKONSLT]

Damn, 40 minutes start to finish! I need to put on my new black grill, but figured it would take a few hours.

 

[Youngerjc]

Installed the other day. Thx for the idea.


View attachment 187214

How did you change out the grill i recently got a yukon and want to replace the grill

 

[JTRATX]

Looks good, wonder why they changed, better airflow I'm guessing....

 

[Dark Star]

How did you change out the grill i recently got a yukon and want to replace the grill

Undo at lot of screws!

We didn’t remove the whole front end. Started at the top and loosened enough on the bottom so we could pull the grill assembly forward to access the screws on the grill

 

[wu6fiend]

The new Denali grill has grown on me so much, I ordered one the other day. A friend owns a body shop, he will install it on my 2016 Denali for a nominal fee.

 

[CMil527]

Did mine a few weeks back...completely changes the front end!

 

[Bigtangledmess]

Looks great! Nice clean look. Thanks for the pictures. Ordered mine today for my 17' Denali.

 

[baseball28]

Finished. 40 minutes start to finish.

Perfect fit, zero changes to front bumper for 2018. All 200 clips lined up.

Several before, during and after pics.

View attachment 183712 View attachment 183713 View attachment 183714 View attachment 183715 View attachment 183716

Thanks for sharing! Pics look great. I ordered mine last week and can't wait to have it installed on my '16 next week.

 

[BigVette427]

When I first bought my Denali Yukon 4x4 I wasn't crazy about the chrome grill but wanted the 6.2L V8. I figured I could pick up one of the regular black GMC Yukon grills and swap it out at the same time I got some tow hooks and a lower molding with the holes cut out for them, but the new chrome grill is definitely growing on me, as well!

 

[BigVette427]

I broke that red safety pin on the wiring harness (for the fog lights) in order to remove the bumper, does anybody know where I can get another one to replace it?

 

[Tahoe14]

Junk yard or the Dealer.

 

[dbbd1]

Okay, I'm not familiar with that particular retainer but, could you just use a small zip tie to run through where the retainer would normally? Fashion a small piece of plastic? I'm a bit OCD so I get it if you want it to be back to "factory."

 

[BigVette427]

Okay, I'm not familiar with that particular retainer but, could you just use a small zip tie to run through where the retainer would normally? Fashion a small piece of plastic? I'm a bit OCD so I get it if you want it to be back to "factory."

Yeah, that's what I was thinking as well but the way this connector is designed there just isn't anywhere to put a zip tie. The GM p/n for my 2017 Denali is labeled as a front bumper harness and retails for a little over a $100. I found a used pigtail cutoff from the rest of the harness with a slightly outdated p/n that has the pin, so I might just go with that.

All in all, it was a little more PITA than I was hoping. Had a little trouble removing the original bumper/grille as there were two additional plastic plugs on the bottom of the bumper that hung me up when I was trying to pull the bumper off, scuffed my GMC logo and maybe a small scratch on the bumper cover (right between the two 10mm bolts on the outside of the fender.)

Broke all five clips off the passenger side bumper cover guide, (none on the drivers side,) so I'm not sure how I would even do that in the future had I to do it again. Can get a new one on Ebay or Amazon for like $11, but fortunately, I was able to just glue (used Goop, wish I would have had some Gorilla glue,) them back on. If you have take that part off, you'd do yourself a favor to have a ratcheting 7mm wrench.

I swapped out the lower molding while I had the bumper cover off for the GM one pre-cut with holes for tow hooks, (went with chrome tow hooks after all,) and that was a bit more of a PITA than I anticipated, as well; those clips are really in there. I can't imagine trying to do that with the bumper cover still on the truck. Just remove the fog lamp bezel with the one screw and press out the clips.

All in all, it went back together and looks great. Hoping to get half of what I paid for the 2018 grille for my 2017 grille, and other than that, super happy with it. I was really surprised as the more I saw of the new 2018 Denali grille, with it spread out across the entire GMC Denali line, the more I knew I wanted to do it. Was worth it to me.

 

[BigVette427]

I broke that red safety pin on the wiring harness (for the fog lights) in order to remove the bumper, does anybody know where I can get another one to replace it?

View attachment 195310

Found it! It's called a CPA and it's a Molex connector, 33472-1606. Went to Molex's website, searched the part number, found one of their distributors who would ship just one, and got it for about the same price that it cost the USPS to ship it to me.

https://www.molex.com/molex/products/datasheet.jsp?part=active/0334721606_CRIMP_HOUSINGS.xml

 

[Pivot]

I did this swap to the 18 grill in December (I think it was), and man, I love this grill. For those of you that think it's too much chrome, it's actually an almost brushed look in the fins when you get up on it with some chrome of course - it's not blinding - perfect mix, to me. Far better look than the previous ones imo.

 

[Quicksilver3014]

I swapped in this grille last night. It was alot easier after I realized how to get the bumper off. Made a huge change to the look. The wife actually liked it so it must be cool.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Azervos3]

Anyone e looking to unload their old grille?

 

[DenaliBQ]

Anyone e looking to unload their old grille?

I have one mint condition pm me

 

[jl449]

Great idea and write up Hosseface.... Ordered a new grill for my 2015 Yukon Denali and installed the other day. Looks great.