Steelcraft Grill Guard Fitment
#1
10-06-2012
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Burlington, ON Cda
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Steelcraft Grill Guard Fitment
My truck is a 2011 4x4 Sport.
I am looking at the Steelcraft 51120.
I have looked at it on eleventy-hundred different sites, and there are nine different fitment restrictions for model year and/or trim level. Very frustrating. (And yes - I have written to Steelcraft, but it's the weekend and this is bugging me)
Some sites say 2001 to 2010.
Some sites say 2006 to 2011.
Some sites say XL and Edge only.
Some sites say 2001 to 2011 (with no exclusions...i.e.: "Sport")
Some sites say any/all 2011 models are okay.
Some sites say only up to 2008.
Really?!
Aside from perhaps a little dremelling on a plastic valance (which is no big deal) does anyone know for sure? Please?
Oh - and while I have you on the phone...
Is there a discount code...or a secret source for accessories such as this that I should investigate to get the best deal?
Does this forum have any sponsors and/or favorite vendors?
Does anyone know of an online retailer that gives incredible discounts to awesome-looking, smart, sophisticated gentlemanly members? (I guess most of you would have had to hear about this from one of those guys, eh?)
Thank you!
I am looking at the Steelcraft 51120.
I have looked at it on eleventy-hundred different sites, and there are nine different fitment restrictions for model year and/or trim level. Very frustrating. (And yes - I have written to Steelcraft, but it's the weekend and this is bugging me)
Some sites say 2001 to 2010.
Some sites say 2006 to 2011.
Some sites say XL and Edge only.
Some sites say 2001 to 2011 (with no exclusions...i.e.: "Sport")
Some sites say any/all 2011 models are okay.
Some sites say only up to 2008.
Really?!
Aside from perhaps a little dremelling on a plastic valance (which is no big deal) does anyone know for sure? Please?
Oh - and while I have you on the phone...
Is there a discount code...or a secret source for accessories such as this that I should investigate to get the best deal?
Does this forum have any sponsors and/or favorite vendors?
Does anyone know of an online retailer that gives incredible discounts to awesome-looking, smart, sophisticated gentlemanly members? (I guess most of you would have had to hear about this from one of those guys, eh?)
Thank you!
Last edited by Ron~; 10-06-2012 at 01:16 PM.
#2
10-11-2012
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Sooke, BC
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I would be interested to know as well this is the same model grill gaurd I am looking at the only exception is i want to put it on my 4x2 2011 sport which should be the same fit. Price vary widely for this on the web Car ID seems to be the cheapest list price but the get you with shipping. I see you are Canadain, I am in Ottawa currently the shop Action Trucks can get them for you below was what I was quoted by them
Hi Paul,
Please see the following pricing;
STE51120: $535.99 + tax
So $605.67 tax in.
If you would like us to install the grill guard we charge $75.00 + tax.
Hi Paul,
Please see the following pricing;
STE51120: $535.99 + tax
So $605.67 tax in.
If you would like us to install the grill guard we charge $75.00 + tax.
#3
10-21-2012
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Burlington, ON Cda
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This grille guard is sold on many websites, and on every one of those websites the fitment parameters (model year compatibility) are different. Even on the SC website, their instructions say that this piece only fits up to 2009 models. (Their instructions also mention that the valance may need to be slightly notched) And if it was only a pair of notches in the bumper fascia valance, that would be no big deal.
However -- and this is far more troubling -- on one of those websites there is a clear & obvious notation indicating that:
1) if you have a skidplate it must be removed
2) your tow hooks must be removed
So I phoned Steelcraft for clarification. I figured that since they make the thing, they should know what's what, right?
I told the owner what his instructions say about model year fitment. And I opined that if there was any source that SHOULD have the most up-to-date & accurate info, it is the manufacturer's site. He called in his design engineer (tech?) and they told me that the piece will definitely fit my 2011, and that they are about to overhaul their website and the instructions would be updated. Okay I can live with that.
And while we were having our little conference call, of course I told him about that one webpage that says I have to take off the skidplate & the tow hooks. I offered that -- if indeed I had to sacrifice my skidplate or my tow hooks -- I would not be buying their GG! In response to my concerns, their assurance was:
1) there is no valance cutting required (the support bars extend low enough to dip under the valance) AND...
2) it is NOT necessary to remove the skidplate to use this bar, and...
3) it is NOT necessary to remove the tow hooks to use this bar, therefore...
4) we will be sure to instruct that website to remove those unnecessary cautions.
Sadly, that one website was partly right.
I had been wondering whether their notation meant that the skidplate and/or the tow hooks had to be temporarily removed for the grille guard installation...then could be put back. Well, the tow hooks are nowhere near the attachment points for the guard, so no action is required there.
But -- contrary to what SC said -- the skidplate must be removed to expose the inboard sides of the chassis rails (for securing the Nyloc nuts that attach the grille guard brackets) Okay - not a big deal - it's four screws and CLAAANG down it comes.
But it won't go back on.
The available space between the new brackets is 31.5", and the width of the skidplate at the front end is 32.675".
As if that wasn't enough...
There are two steel braces that look like this:
|_
|
that come with the GG (one per side) and once they're in place, they will not allow the skidplate to sit tightly against the underside of the chassis rails where it must sit so that it can be secured with the factory bolts. So even if it did still fit between the chassis rails...a notch would have to be carved out of it on each side to allow for the brackets.
And before you say: "Why don't you put the skidplate on first, THEN the brackets..."
The skidplate completely blocks access to the threaded ends of the two bolts that secure the brackets to the chassis on both sides. No go.
Therefore there are only three options if I wanna keep the grille guard:
1) store the skidplate in the garage
2) carve up the skidplate on both sides
3) affix a completely different skidplate
I am waiting to see what the boys @ SC have to say on Monday.
However -- and this is far more troubling -- on one of those websites there is a clear & obvious notation indicating that:
1) if you have a skidplate it must be removed
2) your tow hooks must be removed
So I phoned Steelcraft for clarification. I figured that since they make the thing, they should know what's what, right?
I told the owner what his instructions say about model year fitment. And I opined that if there was any source that SHOULD have the most up-to-date & accurate info, it is the manufacturer's site. He called in his design engineer (tech?) and they told me that the piece will definitely fit my 2011, and that they are about to overhaul their website and the instructions would be updated. Okay I can live with that.
And while we were having our little conference call, of course I told him about that one webpage that says I have to take off the skidplate & the tow hooks. I offered that -- if indeed I had to sacrifice my skidplate or my tow hooks -- I would not be buying their GG! In response to my concerns, their assurance was:
1) there is no valance cutting required (the support bars extend low enough to dip under the valance) AND...
2) it is NOT necessary to remove the skidplate to use this bar, and...
3) it is NOT necessary to remove the tow hooks to use this bar, therefore...
4) we will be sure to instruct that website to remove those unnecessary cautions.
Sadly, that one website was partly right.
I had been wondering whether their notation meant that the skidplate and/or the tow hooks had to be temporarily removed for the grille guard installation...then could be put back. Well, the tow hooks are nowhere near the attachment points for the guard, so no action is required there.
But -- contrary to what SC said -- the skidplate must be removed to expose the inboard sides of the chassis rails (for securing the Nyloc nuts that attach the grille guard brackets) Okay - not a big deal - it's four screws and CLAAANG down it comes.
But it won't go back on.
The available space between the new brackets is 31.5", and the width of the skidplate at the front end is 32.675".
As if that wasn't enough...
There are two steel braces that look like this:
|_
|
that come with the GG (one per side) and once they're in place, they will not allow the skidplate to sit tightly against the underside of the chassis rails where it must sit so that it can be secured with the factory bolts. So even if it did still fit between the chassis rails...a notch would have to be carved out of it on each side to allow for the brackets.
And before you say: "Why don't you put the skidplate on first, THEN the brackets..."
The skidplate completely blocks access to the threaded ends of the two bolts that secure the brackets to the chassis on both sides. No go.
Therefore there are only three options if I wanna keep the grille guard:
1) store the skidplate in the garage
2) carve up the skidplate on both sides
3) affix a completely different skidplate
I am waiting to see what the boys @ SC have to say on Monday.
Last edited by Ron~; 10-26-2012 at 03:02 PM.
#4
10-23-2012
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#5
10-25-2012
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As promised:
Meanwhile, I have received a prompt, courteous & supportive response from the manufacturer. They are dreadfully sorry, but in the end they DID replicate my issue...and completely agree that the problems I reported are indeed accurate.
I have been reasonably compensated for my trouble(s). (And I shall be choosing option #2 in my previous post)
Meanwhile, I have received a prompt, courteous & supportive response from the manufacturer. They are dreadfully sorry, but in the end they DID replicate my issue...and completely agree that the problems I reported are indeed accurate.
I have been reasonably compensated for my trouble(s). (And I shall be choosing option #2 in my previous post)
Last edited by Ron~; 10-26-2012 at 02:50 PM.
#7
11-08-2012
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Update:
I finally had a chance to modify the skidplate so that I could re-attach it. It really wasn't a big deal - it needed about 1" cut off each side at the front, and a fairly conservative notch into the front/top on both sides to allow for the grille guard mounting brackets...which sit about 18mm below the underside of the chassis rails. I completed it -- with several test-fits -- in about a half hour with a 4½" angle grinder turning a 1/16" cut-off wheel. Finished with some liberal spritzing of undercoating [to seal the raw edges against corrosion]
I finally had a chance to modify the skidplate so that I could re-attach it. It really wasn't a big deal - it needed about 1" cut off each side at the front, and a fairly conservative notch into the front/top on both sides to allow for the grille guard mounting brackets...which sit about 18mm below the underside of the chassis rails. I completed it -- with several test-fits -- in about a half hour with a 4½" angle grinder turning a 1/16" cut-off wheel. Finished with some liberal spritzing of undercoating [to seal the raw edges against corrosion]
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