2016+ GMC Sierra 1500 Grille

[Abdo89]

Hello guys, maybe you're surprised from this topic, its OK I will explain it!

 

In this topic I focus on 2016-2018 GMC Sierra SLE and SLT 1500 Trucks Grilles,  in my basic understanding that the front grille main purpose is to protect the radiator from whatever hits the vehicle once you drive, if you see the inserts of the grille of the specified models which is factory equipped you will see how anything from bugs to hard like flying stone, debris, etc.. any object can hit the radiator easily even someone with average size hand can get his hands all the way to radiator and can damage it!!

 

for example If I live in a place where roads are gravel and my truck radiator has been hit from a flying stone or whatever, will it be replaced under warranty?! yes for the first time as long as its under warranty and no if it happened again and again!! I don't want to go with the aftermarket option i paid $50K for a truck that i don't want to add or change anything to it.

 

This thing I consider it a MAJOR design problem how a small thing like a mesh type grille insert never came on their minds!!! and the problem they are doing the same with 19 models!!

 

[rrmccabe]

I think 75% of the grills function is cosmetic as most have openings big enough to pass a rock. So you must be picking up rocks from following people?  I would be equally concerned about my paint and windshield.

 

Maybe consider an aftermarket grill if you conditions are extreme.

[xMEATxHAMMERx]

Hello guys, maybe you're surprised from this topic, its OK I will explain it!
 
In this topic I focus on 2016-2018 GMC Sierra SLE and SLT 1500 Trucks Grilles,  in my basic understanding that the front grille main purpose is to protect the radiator from whatever hits the vehicle once you drive, if you see the inserts of the grille of the specified models which is factory equipped you will see how anything from bugs to hard like flying stone, debris, etc.. any object can hit the radiator easily even someone with average size hand can get his hands all the way to radiator and can damage it!!
 
for example If I live in a place where roads are gravel and my truck radiator has been hit from a flying stone or whatever, will it be replaced under warranty?! yes for the first time as long as its under warranty and no if it happened again and again!! I don't want to go with the aftermarket option i paid $50K for a truck that i don't want to add or change anything to it.
 
This thing I consider it a MAJOR design problem how a small thing like a mesh type grille insert never came on their minds!!! and the problem they are doing the same with 19 models!!
 

I haven't taken my grille off but I will tell you that as a general rule, the AC evaporator is in front of the radiator. They can't cover it completely, because then your truck would overheat. The point is to allow air to cool both devices while driving. That being said, the odds of something actually getting in there and causing dmg are very slim. Can it happen? Sure... But you got as much chance of that, as the media not taliking about Trump for more then a day! Lol

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[Denali34]

Get a Denali grill! Problem solved. I cant get my pinky fingers in between each opening when washing it! 

[newdude]

Then just about every car on the road has a major design flaw then?  Grilles have been open and some more open for YEARS.  You are more than welcome to install some sort of screen over the top if you choose.

[Styles_888]

Has any damage occurred?  I frequent gravel roads as well and never has radiator damage crossed my mind.  Don't sweat the petty pet the sweaty...drive her

[Donstar]

I owned two GMC's and three Fords when I lived off paved roads in the 70's and 80's.  I used to add grill guards but mostly to reduce the number of bugs cooking on my radiator.  Rocks were harsh on vehicles and it is possible that an errant rock could hit your radiator. I once had a rock break through my drivers' window and give me a bloody ear!  However, the GMC grill is no worse or better than other designs. There are many aftermarket guards available for trucks that spend  their time off pavement.

[Spurshot]

As mentioned, grills have had large openings on many vehicles for as long as they've made vehicles.  If you are driving roads where rocks are hitting your truck regularly,  windshields are usually the first to go.  The paint and front surfaces get dinged up pretty bad.  I've had dents in the front edge of hoods on some of my trucks.   When I was a kid in the 60s, my father bought a screen to put in front of the radiator to keep the bugs from plugging up the fins in the summer.  Life is not perfect, and neither are these trucks or any other trucks for that matter. 

 

If your concern is for a particular trip, like on the AL-CAN or such, you probably want a "bra", screen, headlight covers, and a sheet of lexan covering the windshield.   Or just don't take a truck you can't stand to beat up on such a trip.  Those roads shred vehicles.  Best to take a beater on them.

[Sierra Dan]

I wish they made a 2016-2018 Denali Style grille or insert that would work with a 2014-2015 front end.

The only insert I have found for 2014-2015 sierra is one that snaps over the existing and it is cheesy at best.

 

[amxguy1970]

This isn't bad engineering, bad engineering would be making the grill harder to flow air through as you suggest. Every vehicle made (with exception of electric vehicles) have large openings to allow air to pass through them which also allows rocks to hit the radiator. Radiators are strong and since they were designed over a 100 years ago have been designed to take road debris damage. Don't worry about it, this is a non issue all manufactures have. I suggest you re-name the thread to something not so misleading...

 

Tyler

[TXGREEK]

This isn't bad engineering, bad engineering would be making the grill harder to flow air through as you suggest. Every vehicle made (with exception of electric vehicles) have large openings to allow air to pass through them which also allows rocks to hit the radiator. Radiators are strong and since they were designed over a 100 years ago have been designed to take road debris damage. Don't worry about it, this is a non issue all manufactures have. I suggest you re-name the thread to something not so misleading...
 
Tyler

Some stupid crap on these forums. Seems likely to me someone had a few to many and found something to complain about. Last thing I’d worry about is road debris hitting my radiator, I’d be much much more worried about road debris chipping my paint or cracking my windshield....[emoji19]


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[O_J_Simpson]

47 minutes ago, Sierra Dan said:

I wish they made a 2016-2018 Denali Style grille or insert that would work with a 2014-2015 front end.

The only insert I have found for 2014-2015 sierra is one that snaps over the existing and it is cheesy at best.

 

Look up the GMC accessory 2014-2015 grill.

[mookdoc6]

I hate cleaning my Grill the one in the backyard....As for my 2016 SLT well, I hate cleaning that grille too!  More AIR PLEASE...ASK a ferd guy why his is always overheating?  LESS AIR PLEASE>>>>>>>

[tgg19]

I had a bird trying to build a nest in front of radiator so I bought the grille inserts. Problem solved and it looks pretty good too.

 

[don67]

Every vehicle I've owned over the past 35 years has had an exposed radiator.   Number of rock punctures:  Zero.     

 

That said, stringing up some plastic gutter guard from Home Depot is a quick modification you can do yourself.