Chrome Westin Grill Guard Pics!

[Z284AV]

Got my Arrival Blue 04 WHB Z71 a month ago. Bought the kayak yesterday. Perfect excuse for the grill guard (for the bow tie down straps).

Before the kayak, almost went Westin Bull Bar; now I'm torn between WAAG and Westin CPS Grill guards. I've got the GM air deflector, chrome tubular side rails, fender flares and door trim, and luggage rack. Can't tell which would look better - black or chrome guard.

Any pictures of a Chrome Westin on a WHB (hopefully Arrival Blue)? Know what the black WAAG looks like. Someone throw me a bone.

 

[Z284AV]

I'm new to the club and have been a happy Avalanche owner since Leap Year Day. I'll post a quick bio in the welcome new members section. As far as the Westin Guard goes...

I guess I'll be the guinea pig.

I went with Westin Chrome on Stainless Steel unseen. Crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. Yeah, it was some bucks, but only the best will do. Lifetime warranty. I think it looks sweet.

Install was cake, though my allen bit on the torque wrench stripped the half of the bolts holding on the headlight wings when I torqued down (actually the front four - the back four I got torqued per spec). It's tough getting a torque wrench head on the inside of the uprights on the front to get on the nut. I departed from the directions and installed the wings last so it wouldn't be as heavy to hold by myself during the install.

Tow hooks remain attached (you can see them in the pics). Getting to the top bumper mount bolts was tricky with big hands. Take off your ring(s) and or golf bracelet.

I spaced it out most of the way to make sure I had good clearance for the GM air deflector.

Looks good on my Arrival Blue WHB.

The Westin box will say Silverado all over it, but no worries. Fit like a champ.

Pictures here are tonight's. I'll get more pics during the day tomorrow.

 

[Z284AV]

second pic

 

[Z284AV]

third and final pic

 

[UT_CK]

Very nice bud. ... and Welcome to the Club !!

That's the one I was originally going for. I changed my mind and got the chromed SS Westin bull bars. Can't go wrong with Westin.

Happy moding ... hehe

Regards,
CK

 

[Bigtoe]

Z284AV, did you ever get the day time pictures? Also, can you stand on the bottom brace bar? I can't reach the back of my hood without a step stool.

 

[Bigtoe]

BTW... it lookc great on your WBH1

 

[Cisco04]

Very nice bud. ... and Welcome to the Club !!

That's the one I was originally going for. I changed my mind and got the chromed SS Westin bull bars. Can't go wrong with Westin.

Happy moding ... hehe

Regards,
CK

nAV,

That's the grill I want on my AV...Do you mind me asking how much it cost you and did you install it yourself...lastly, any drilling holes in the install Sorry for all the questions...The grill looks sweet on your AV...Thanks in advance Cisco04

 

[Z284AV]

Been pretty busy last week or so...

Daytime pics (3)

 

[Z284AV]

second daylight pic

 

[Z284AV]

Z284AV, did you ever get the day time pictures? Also, can you stand on the bottom brace bar? I can't reach the back of my hood without a step stool.

I hadn't tried standing on the bottom bar. It is 1.5" I think, with no grip tape. I think Go Rhino has a step form built in. However, you could wrap the bottom bar in grip tape (Home Depot and Lowe's have it) before the install and have the seam face the grill. I've used that grip tape in an outdoor application in Syracuse (in the winter no less) and didn't have any peeling. Be a shame to cover the chrome though. I'm going to buy a wash brush on a pole to reach the middle and roof. I'm 6'3" and can't easily reach either.

I've noticed the guard shakes a little when driving at speed or off-road. It's just the upper portion and light guards - the lower and middle bars don't move at all (though those are a little hard to see when driving). I thought about trying to push the guard right up against the bumper, but I wouldn't have the clearance for the hood deflector.

Last pic.

 

[UT_CK]

nAV,

That's the grill I want on my AV...Do you mind me asking how much it cost you and did you install it yourself...lastly, any drilling holes in the install Sorry for all the questions...The grill looks sweet on your AV...Thanks in advance Cisco04

Hi Cisco,

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner

I will tell you if you give me your 20's .. LOL

I purchased my Bull bar (which came with the skid plate) for $525 Canadian.

I suspect that you'll be able to get it for much less. I've posted the install procedure with pictures here

In that post you'll see that it's possible to retain your tow hooks the way I did it. Did not need to drill any holes at all.

Regards,
CK

 

[Cisco04]

Hi Cisco,

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner

I purchased my Bull bar (which came with the skid plate) for $525 Canadian.

I suspect that you'll be able to get it for much less. I've posted the install procedure with pictures here

In that post you'll see that it's possible to retain your tow hooks the way I did it.

Regards,
CK

Thanks nAV...I apprciate the info....that grill of yours looks reaaly sharp, I like the simple but mean look to it...your AV is sharp too...Thanks again for the info

Cisco04

 

[otisboy]

Nice looking grill guard. Thanks for the pics and welcome to the club.

 

[UT_CK]

Thanks Cisco,

I only wish I had half your mods... hehe

I saw your webshots... what is your relationship to Abuelito ?

CK
{ : (B)

 

[Cisco04]

No Relation....He drove down and contacted our San Antonio (MissAvalanche) and Austin (Tribal_AV) Coordinators to see if we could have lunch together and have a little cruise afterwards...He was on his way to Corpus Christi...He's a very nice man...He bought all of our lunches

Thanks nAV...I viewed your pics for the grill install....very nice
You have a sweet AV

Cisco04

 

[sbutch6969]

Sharp lookin grill Z28. Love what it does to your AV

SB

 

[UT_CK]

Z284AV,

Sooorie for being off topic on a few posts...

I think your grill is real nice looking. I just love chrome and there's lots of it on thar !!

CK
{ : (B)

 

[Z284AV]

no problem nAV

I washed and waxed it today. So much chrome had to put on sunglasses to look directly at the grill.

- Z

 

[chuckles]

The chrome looks good but I have a question for all the brush guard owners out there.....what happens if you have to change a headlight bulb? I guess you have to take the whole setup off right?

I learned that one the hard way on my Blazer Zr2 with the Waag brand bars.

I thought of modifiying it to have a quick release but thankfully I bought the AV before I needed to do that.

 

[Z284AV]

The smaller bars in front of the lenses are removable.

Also, during install (by myself), I mounted the center section first. I guess I could take off parts to replace a whole lamp assembly, but clearence is tight once it is mounted.