Chevy Roadtrek Grille Mod

[peteco]

Just finished my Roadtrek 210 grille upgrade. I wanted to change to the GMC grille as it has more open area than the Chevrolet version, so hoping to get better cooling with this grille. I didn't have the GMC emblem, so instead of buying one I decided to customize the grille with the existing Roadtrek emblem that is on the hood. I used a heat gun to help remove the emblem from the hood. I filled in some holes on the central emblem mount area on the grill. Then vinyl wrapped with a carbon fiber wrap material. First time I ever wrapped anything and it turned out OK.

Made an emblem holder from some 1/8" aluminum plate stock. Had to bend it slightly to have it fit the contour of the grill emblem area. Drilled and mounted two flat-head countersunk bolts to mount the holder on the grill. Glued the emblem on the holder with emblem glue. Attached the emblem to the grille and mounted the grille on the van.

Here is the link to Booster's cooling upgrade post.

http://www.classbforum.com/forums/f8/oil-and-tranny-coolers-particularly-chevy-6402-2.html

 

[peteco]

The rest of the pictures.

 

[Ron J. Moore]

That really looks sharp. Ron

 

[hardybob]

Very nice. What grille is that?

 

[peteco]

Very nice. What grille is that?

Here is where I got it. Booster had some problems with his grille from them. Mine was delivered with no problems.

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sku/Replacement/Grille_Assembly/G070116.html

 

[booster]

Looks good! I like the wrap idea, as compared to a full size plate to cover the unused area.

Were your turn signal lamps loose at the outside clip like mine were?

We are trying to collect some information on if the grille swap changed anything, but a bit tough becaus we also did the coolers change at the same time. The one thing that stands out so far is that the two electric fans we have don't seem to have as much effect at over 40mph as they used. This would make perfect sense if the grille swap is allowing more air through at speed. The fans seem to be about the same effect at low speeds, and maybe even more effective on the now standalone trans cooler.

 

[booster]

For comparison, this is the same grille with a stock GMC emblem.

I know some folks that have done this type of swap on other vehicles just because they think the GMC is higher status ( like Mercedes badging on Dodge swap), which is really pretty silly, but for $10 you can also get the GMC center stickers for the wheels and at least match! The only place ours says anything Chevy is on the rear door behind the spare and the steering wheel, besises the grille and wheels.

Pete has found an elegant way around the identity crisis :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

 

[peteco]

Looks good!

Were your turn signal lamps loose at the outside clip like mine were?

We are trying to collect some information on if the grille swap changed anything, but a bit tough becaus we also did the coolers change at the same time.

Signal lamps were clipped on tight, just like on the OEM grille.

I have a big trip planned in July so I should get a sense of how well the new grille helps with cooling.

 

[peteco]

Signal lamps were clipped on tight, just like on the OEM grille.

I have a big trip planned in July so I should get a sense of how well the new grille helps with cooling.

A bit late to report back, sorry. Anyway, I could not tell if there was an improvement, but I would like to think it helped. I had no problems on the trip, though I don't push the vehicle hard if I can help it. I did get some favorable comments on the looks