| The vehicles we drive are a reflection of our own | | | | metal for the automotive and aerospace |
| identities. That's why hunting for a new set of | | | | industries. While there are 7 different types of |
| wheels is not simply a matter of choosing any | | | | aluminum alloy, billet grille manufacturers use either |
| vehicle that's on sale down at the lot. On the | | | | the 5xxx or 6xxx series. The difference between |
| contrary, we all have our own complex list of | | | | these two types is that they are wrought from |
| criteria that guides us through the decision making | | | | different alloy components. 5xxx series aluminum |
| process. For some, nothing is more important | | | | uses magnesium as its principle alloy, which makes |
| than engine size and transmission type. For | | | | it mild to moderately strong, and resistant to |
| others, it's all about trunk space. | | | | corrosion. In the 6xxx series, a mixture of |
| However, the one unifying criterion that is at the | | | | magnesium and silicon are used, producing a |
| top of everyone's list is style. There is something | | | | higher-strength aluminum with excellent corrosion |
| about the unique design of certain cars, trucks | | | | resistance. |
| and SUVs that attracts us, often in very primal, | | | | Stainless Steel Billet Grilles |
| inexplicable ways. Like moths to the warming glow | | | | Known the world over for its strength and |
| of a light bulb, we are drawn in by the curves, | | | | corrosion resistance, stainless steel is a popular |
| lines and contours of certain vehicles. And, once | | | | metal used for crafting billet grilles. The reason |
| they catch our eye, we are driven to acquire | | | | that it resists rust so successfully is that it has a |
| them, or at least another vehicle that looks quite | | | | high chromium content. In fact, for steel to be |
| similar. | | | | considered stainless, it needs to have at least a |
| Even after our thirst for the right automobile is | | | | 10.5% chromium content. Plus, stainless steel is |
| quenched, we still want to project our own unique | | | | incredibly tough, resilient and easily fashioned into a |
| personality into its design. While there are | | | | multitude of forms and shapes. |
| superficial ways of doing this (e.g. a pair of | | | | Just like the aluminum, there are two types of |
| fuzzy-dice dangling from the rear view mirror, or | | | | stainless steel used in billet grilles. The more |
| a personalized license plate frame that often | | | | economical of the two, 409 series stainless steel, |
| reads, "I'd rather be golfing"), there are more | | | | is commonly used for many different automotive |
| substantial ways of modifying the attitude of your | | | | accessories because of its sturdiness. The other |
| vehicle. | | | | type of stainless steel, 304, is another popular |
| A simple yet significant way of customizing your | | | | automotive metal. It has a higher chromium |
| vehicle's presence is by upgrading the stock grille | | | | content for the ultimate in corrosion resistance. |
| to a more powerful, more expressive billet grille. | | | | ABS Plastic Billet Grilles |
| Before you begin sifting through an extensive | | | | The most cost effective billet grille material |
| stock of premium billet grilles, take a moment to | | | | available is the ABS Plastic. Widely used across |
| learn a little about the basics of their construction, | | | | the entire automobile accessories spectrum, ABS |
| installation and other important characteristics. Use | | | | Plastic is a lightweight, rigid and durable |
| this resource as a guide for picking your perfect | | | | thermoplastic material. While it is not as strong as |
| billet grille. | | | | stainless steel or aluminum, ABS Plastic still makes |
| Fundamentals of Billet Grille Style | | | | an excellent medium for building billet grilles |
| Billet grilles like those from Carriage Works and | | | | because the plastic is impervious to rust and quite |
| Trenz are crafted only from materials that are | | | | durable. For added customization, it can usually be |
| proven to be rugged, dependable and long-lasting. | | | | painted to match or accent your stock paint. |
| Aluminum Billet Grilles | | | | To Billet or Not to Billet |
| The material most widely used in the billet grille | | | | After deciding what materials you would like you |
| industry is aluminum, for good reasons, too. | | | | grille to be made out of, billet grilles can be divided |
| Aluminum is known for its strength, versatility, | | | | into two camps based on their installation type: |
| low-density, durability and resistance to corrosion. | | | | bolt over billet grilles and replacement billet grilles. |
| Because of its malleability, aluminum can easily be | | | | Their installation is quick and easy. In fact my 8 |
| rolled, stamped, drawn, spun, hammered or | | | | year old son installed our bolt over grille on our '02 |
| forged into almost any shape, making it the ideal | | | | Ford F150 in nearly 5 minutes! |