I want to change my chrome grill out for the flat black one that comes on the work trucks, or lower models, that don't have chrome.

can't seem to find one on the 'net. or if anyone in AZ wants to trade??

I also want to take off my front bumper (one w/foglights) and have it painted to match my truck. does anyone have a guess to what this will cost?? or any experience removing the front bumper, any tips about painting over chrome.

also, i want to take it off myself b'c my rockshield's attached to the back side of the bumper and to my sway bar as well. I'd prefer to bring the bumper to a paint shop then reinstall it on my own.

thanks alot

 

i want to do that with my truck and no one wants to trade with me yet....

 

If you were in Idaho I would do it in a heart beat.. I have the chrome outer shell and the black ribs..

Shane

 

 

Not sure about painting over chrome, sorry there.

Removing and installling the bumper piece of cake, especially if you have a friend to help you. 20-30 minutes you can have it off, and 30-45 to put back on (making sure it is lined up is why it will take a little longer to put it back on).

A lady backed into my front bumper, insurance gave me $380 for a bumper. I found a new/used chrome bumper in a junkyard with a white top (My truck is silver) for $150, popped the white top off in 30 seconds, and popped my silver top on, and voila, new/used bumper and $230 in my pocket

I am sure if you wanted to paint your bumper, you could bead blast the chrome off, but I could be lying to you also

 

I did my truck a month or two ago. A friend of mine that owns a body shop here in the metroplex talked me out of trying to paint over the chrome bumpers. He said they had never had very good long term luck keeping the paint from peeling, even after sanding and using self-etching primer. He recommended purchasing them from a local company that rebuilds and rechromes bumpers. They also stock primed non-chrome bumpers, and guaranty the primer not to lift or peel. I bought the front and rear bumpers from them, and then sold my chrome ones. I then had my friend paint the bumpers, and hood scoop. He did a much better job than I would have been able to do. I was very pleased with the results when it was all said and done. There are before and after photos in my album if interested. The only problem I had removing the front bumper was the plate that holds the bumper mounting bolts together would not clear the intercooler tanks without some persuasion. I trimmed the corners off the plates on the bench grinder before going back together with it which helped alot. This may not be a problem on the 04.5 models at all. I was able to swap out the bumper by myself, but it would have been much easier with two guys.