Grill Question

[GWJeeper]

I'm new to GWs so be gentle please. My new to me '91 has a plastic grill surround that has multiple broken mounting tabs and puckers in the chrome. Were some years of the 86-91 grill style made of metal and later ones plastic? Plastic seems like a poor choice for the grill on a car capable of off road use, so if I had my druthers it seems like finding a decent metal grill would be the better choice (if such a thing exists).

[lkmarsh]

https://jubileejeeps.org/faqs/fsjgrilles.htm

The rhino, razor and cheese grater are metal, I think the others are plastic.
Grill swaps are common and relatively painless, since the front sheet metal didn't change much.
Square headlights complicate things somewhat.

[joe]

All the GW surrounds were plastic. Only ones "if original" of the 80+ that were stamped Alum would be the Cherokee and J-truck surrounds for the early muscle grilles. Easy to spot cause they had the "Jeep" name stamped into the top center of the surround. Pretty sure at least(??) but don't hold me to this...the surround on my long gone previous 82 narrow track 4dr Chero Pioneer was metal?
Again, I could be wrong.

[babywag]

I believe all were stamped alum. and anodized.
I've owned many 86-up GWs none had a plastic grille surround.

[SOLSAKS]

I think babywag is correct,...

from the factory they all were aluminum.

aftermarket repros and even some OEM replacements are plastic for the final edition grille

( and some earlier plastic repros are out there too I think )

as far as durability

the plastic is prob just as good as metal if not better,....

a rock hits aluminum, you got a dent

on the abs plastic, no dent.

dave in NC

[GWJeeper]

So far I'm as confused as before I posted. If I'm reading the replies correctly one source says all GW grills were metal, another states all GW grills were plastic. Are the TGW repro grills pretty accurate?

[babywag]

All 5 late model GWs I have owned all had metal(aluminum) surrounds w/ plastic grille inserts.
Cannot speak for TGW have never ordered anything from them and extremely unlikely I ever would.

[rang-a-stang]

https://jubileejeeps.org/faqs/fsjgrilles.htm

Interesting. I had never seen the 79-85 grill called a BBQ grill; I've always seen it as the pignose. hm.

Pignose/BBQ grills are plastic with a chrome like foil'ish cover on them.

[Tbeach]

I have a 91 GW and the surround was plastic and had "puckers" on it like yours. I found a grill surround on Ebay from an 87 GW that was aluminum surround. I had the aluminum surround grill chrome plated. Looks much better. BTW, I still have the chromed plastic grill if anyone wants it.

[fulsizjeep]

I have had two 88s and they both had aluminum grille surround. When it comes to hitting a deer, they all get mashed.

[fsj454]

Have 3 on the wall

I have late grand wagoner grills on my wall at my shop all are metal surrounds .

[johnsonic]

Weird - my '87 and my '84 both were plastic and looked to be original. The ones in the junkyard I've seen are plastic too. Are you guys saying that there are metal pignose and FE grills out there?

[babywag]

No metal grilles, but all final edition (86-90)grille surrounds are usually metal.
If plastic probably Chrysler $$ saving on 91 or aftermarket replacements?
Never heard of or seen a metal pignose either.

[fsj454]

1979 j20

The 1979 grille is plastic on a truck that I stripped.