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