Black LT to Chrome LTZ Grille Swap

[Joew311]

I have seen a lot of write-ups on swapping the grilles out but I didn't find any information about what parts from a black LT grille and a Chrome LTZ grille were the same, if any. I thought someone might benefit from this information.

First off, to do the swap I found this video on YouTube very helpful:
http://youtu.be/J_YSHYOzO1U

I recently bought a Chrome LTZ grille to replace my black LT grille and one question that came up in the process was whether or not you could just buy the chrome inserts (OEM) and replace the black ones. The answer on mine (2013 Suburban) was no.

During the swap I ended up completely disassembling both grilles because I wanted to use my Chrome bezels as they were in better shape. When I took my black grille apart I found that the grille mesh and the part that actually retains the grille in the truck is one part. The chrome grille actually has a mesh insert and a separate black piece for retainage. after I disassembled both grilles I laid them out so you can see the difference:


The top grille is the same except the black piece that mounts the grille to the core support is also part of the black mesh on the old grille and only the piece for retainage on the chrome grille:


I also noticed that the slots that the chrome inserts snap into are not on the black mesh grille, which makes sense as it is all one pice with no insert:

 

[Joew311]

Here's a before (Black LT Grille):

And after (Chrome LTZ Grille):

 

[07Burb]

Nice write up I noticed these same differences when I did the swap on mine last week. I was disappointed that I couldn't just swap inserts lol

 

[Goodinblack]

I always used to think that the ltz grilles were gaudy...... however they have grown on me and I come to like them a lot

 

[Joew311]

Nice write up I noticed these same differences when I did the swap on mine last week. I was disappointed that I couldn't just swap inserts lol

Thanks, I was disappointed as well... Getting that top bezel separated was a booger!! I felt like I needed two more hands!

---------- Post added at 10:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:31 PM ----------

I always used to think that the ltz grilles were gaudy...... however they have grown on me and I come to like them a lot

It was one of the options that I wanted and couldn't get when I bought mine. That being said, I think it looks sharp, but it looks better on a darker vehicle...

 

[07Burb]

Thanks, I was disappointed as well... Getting that top bezel separated was a booger!! I felt like I needed two more hands!

That ain't no lie!!! After fighting with it for a while I was stupid close to breaking out the Dremel and cutting that LT grill off!!! luckily I gave it another try and it popped off.

 

[Joew311]

Nice write up I noticed these same differences when I did the swap on mine last week. I was disappointed that I couldn't just swap inserts lol

Do you have pics of yours?

 

[07Burb]

Yeah. She's dirty right now so you'll have to look past that LOL

 

[Joew311]

Yeah. She's dirty right now so you'll have to look past that LOL

Oh man, that looks so sharp!! Very nice![emoji106]

 

[07Burb]

Thank you Yours looks good too. The only thing I'd change is color matching that bowtie. That gold always sticks out so much to me

 

[Joew311]

That's next on the list. I'm thinking about doing the polished, the white seems to stick out too much.

 

[07Burb]

Yeah, that'd look good too and match the LTZ grill.

 

[Joew311]

I thought about just doing this one:


Or doing this one and paint the "border" red or something
:

But now you've got me thinking about doing the one with the border and maybe doing white vinyl in the middle...hmmm...

 

[Effeckt]

I thought about just doing this one:
View attachment 30300

Or doing this one and paint the "border" red or something
:View attachment 30301

But now you've got me thinking about doing the one with the border and maybe doing white vinyl in the middle...hmmm...

You could also just white vinyl the stock bowtie that you've already got. Would give you the same look and save you a few bucks.

 

[Joew311]

You could also just white vinyl the stock bowtie that you've already got. Would give you the same look and save you a few bucks.

I thought about that too...too many options!

 

[felixgun]

Looks good. Always loved the LTZ grille on my 08 tahoe ltz and 07 avy ltz. By far the best tahoe/suburban/avalanche grille. Bettter then any aftermarket one that's for sure. Nothing GAUDY about it (Lee!! )

---------- Post added at 01:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:34 PM ----------

I thought about that too...too many options!

When I had my 08 summit white tahoe ltz I had the bow tie color matched and left the chrome border. It looked REALLY good. You should do it Lemme know if you want some pics.

 

[Joew311]

Looks good. Always loved the LTZ grille on my 08 tahoe ltz and 07 avy ltz. By far the best tahoe/suburban/avalanche grille. Bettter then any aftermarket one that's for sure. Nothing GAUDY about it (Lee!! )

---------- Post added at 01:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:34 PM ----------





When I had my 08 summit white tahoe ltz I had the bow tie color matched and left the chrome border. It looked REALLY good. You should do it Lemme know if you want some pics.

Definitely!! Shoot them over!

I might have messed up but I ordered some white carbon fiber vinyl this morning to try. For less than $10 I thought it was worth a shot and the carbon fiber look will give it some texture...

 

[Joew311]

Here's what ordered...

 

[Beezaroh]

Here's what ordered...

View attachment 30305

Nice. Exactly what i did on mine except i used black vinyl and left the chrome outline. Very easy to do


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Steedog]

Thank you Yours looks good too. The only thing I'd change is color matching that bowtie. That gold always sticks out so much to me

Aaaaaand what's wrong with the non-matching bowtie