Function

• Custom truck grilles serve a couple of purposes. Perhaps the most important is to keep chunks of dirt, dust, dead birds and other debris out of the vehicle's engine. Grilles also help protect the front of the vehicle, taking the brunt of anything that gets past the bumper. Custom truck grilles serve the added purpose of making the front of the truck a showpiece and looking good.
  
  

Types

• Several different materials can be used to make custom truck grilles. The most common are stainless steel, chrome or billet, which is a type of aluminum. Some of the fanciest may feature a powdered coated, polished or wood grain finish that best matches the vehicle. Grilles can come as a single unit or several pieces, depending on the model and make of the truck. Most can be ordered at a vehicle body shop or online to fit a variety of models and years.
  
  

Features

• A number of different designs are available for a custom truck grille. Vertical bar grilles feature a series of straight, vertical pieces along the length of the grille. Some have mesh bordered with thick slabs of steel or chrome. Billet grilles can feature small circular shapes, criss-crosses or other designs. Some grilles feature the vehicle's insignia in the center, which can often be ordered separately and attached to the grille.
  
  

Installation

• The original truck grille will be installed at the factory, but custom truck grilles can usually be done right at home by the vehicle's owner. The simplest custom grilles will fit right over the existing grille and can usually be installed in about 30 minutes. These grilles are placed as overlay and bolted to the existing grille. Others require the removal of the existing grille, which is done by unscrewing the bolts securing the grille to a frame, and replacing it with the new grille.
  
  

Considerations

• Grilles should always be kept clean and free of debris to function properly. They should be hosed down after dusty rides and checked frequently for debris. The best grilles will come with some type of warranty, some lasting a year or two, while others will guarantee it for a lifetime, at least against manufacturer defects. Grilles can also be further protected by a guards which is a metal unit attached to the front of the grille that stops it from getting banged up.