coalburner400

Ok folks:
I'll save the details, but I have to replace my grill shell (plastic chrome part).

I know that there are people who have replaced theirs with Stull, and other after market replacements... OEM is too expensive.

The questions I have are:
1. How is the quality on the cheap aftermarket replacements?

2. For those who went with Stull's complete grill (# 6030c) How is the quality of the plastic portion of the stull replacement?

Thanks in advance for your assistance

casper_cobra

im wondering the exact same thing...any input?

VADSLRAM

I replaced mine with an Ebay aftermarket. (My chrome had peeled like a sunburned redhead) $45 for grill AND emblem. great deal, the quality was as good as what I had stock and so far is lasting longer then the stock did.

Buy the emblem! I was going to be cheap and reuse the old one but the glue that holds it to the grill will pull the paint off the back.

coalburner400

You rock VADSLRAM!!!

I was just about to give up on this thread. Thanks!!!

coalburner400

Well... I've found a place that's about 45 minutes from my work. I ordered an aftermarket grill - same on on ebay for 47.53 including tax

I've just got to get the emblem, part number #55295240

Called the dealer and they want $21

Nearly 1/3 of the grill cost is the emblem? Sheesh!!

BTW I found an OEM parts site, that's got fair prices, shipping still is a ripoff:

http://www.newdodgeparts.com/

Stamey

Dude, what's fair about 292.00 for the plastic, chrome grill? Sure the emblem was 12 bucks, but the grill was ridiculous. It would be cheaper to buy several Ebay grill shells over the years.

VADSLRAM, what kind of time frame are we talking about for your replacement grill shell? How long has it been on?

Thanks,
Chris

VADSLRAM

Been about 4 yrs now. I'm getting old so I don't remember the manu on the one I bought. But I do remember that it was about twice as heavy as the OEM one I took off, thicker around the joints and webs. I'll look around my comp at home, I've got pics that I was trying to use for warranty work.....like that was going to happen My gallery pic is the new grill.

coalburner400

I have a 68 Firebird that I became acquainted with aftermarket parts with... particularly those from over seas. I must say that they were the biggest pieces of garbage I'd ever seen.

I guess what's going on now, is that the OEM is the garbage and the aftermarket is the quality stuff...

Thanks for your post, that is a nice grill.

BTW... the OEM prices are just absolute r@pe. Why punish anyone to maintain or repair the car you sold them

I pick up my grill tomorrow, or so I am told. I'll let you folks know how it goes.

Thanks again!

coalburner400

Maybe its me, but it looks like I got what I paid for...
The manufacturer of the after market grill is: YCC Parts Mfc.
Purchased it for 47.00, new.

Complaints:

1. Waviness to the chrome in certain areas, dimples in others. Not real bad, but there.

2. Flash here and there. Not nearly as clean as the OEM Can't be cut with a razor, must be ground.

3. Wavy grind marks on the leading edges. Not really bad, but enough to notice.

4. Couple of scuffs, very minor, and one scratch.

5. Crack in the chrome, not the plastic, on the underside by where the handle goes.

The reason why I wanted a new one was because one of the plastic ears broke off the original. It would not line up correctly and left a 1/4" gap on one side. I definitely notice the OEM is much higher quality. Even with 82,000 miles on my truck - the original looks better than the new aftermarket.

Was it worth it? Well, in all fairness I think its a $75 grill for $47. If I wanted a half a$$ed grill I should have kept the original. It was a gamble I guess, but I hope this gamble helps someone else.

If you're not worried about those "little things" it would be a good purchase. I'll just keep an eyeball out for an OEM some day in the future.