Seeing a stock Escalade, Tahoe, or Denali cruising around town is a rare sight anywhere in America. For the owners of these common fullsize SUVs, wheels, dress-up items, and TVs are all typical immediate modifications. With the release of the newly revamped '07 Cadillac Escalade, even more parts and accessories are available for these kings of bling. It's simple to understand why so many of these monikers of luxury are customized with high-end materials used inside and out. With such a powerful engine and a new chiseled exterior, the Escalade exudes elegance.
One of the first mods we see on any truck or SUV is the replacement of the boring stock grille. Replacing the original hardware is as easy as looking through this magazine's pages for billet, stainless, mesh, or race-style material to complement your ride. For this story, we contacted DJ Motorsports of Lake Forest, California, where it had just released a new Diamond Link Mesh grille for the '07 Escalade. The Giovanna Edition Grille by DJ Motorsports is triple chrome-plated T304 stainless steel and creates a whole new look for the front end of the popular Cadillac. Available in chrome or black, the grille comes with all of the necessary hardware for the installation. Check out the story to see just how easy it was to add some character to the Caddy, and contact DJ Motorsports for more information.
Time Spent Working: Two hours
Degree of Difficulty: Beginner (Although a saw was needed
Tools Needed
Flat screwdriver, fishing line, 3M blue masking tape, air saw, metric wrench set for tow hook, and the top of a grille
Parts Used
Giovanna Edition Grille by DJ Motorsports 8310C $1,995 (Includes the grille, side vents, and tow-hook covers)
1. We started with the Giovanna...
1. We started with the Giovanna Edition Grille by DJ Motorsports, matching side vents, and front tow-hook covers.
2. Using a flat screwdriver,...
2. Using a flat screwdriver, the crew at DJ Motorsports began the '07 Escalade installation by removing the push-in plastic retaining clips along the inner fender.
3. Next up, the black plastic...
3. Next up, the black plastic radiator cover was removed to gain access to the front grille and bumper bolts.
4. An 8mm socket was attached...
4. An 8mm socket was attached to a cordless drill and used to remove the bolts. Through the new redesign, the grille and front bumper were all one large piece and it came off as one unit.
5. After taping up the bumper...
5. After taping up the bumper to ensure there would be no scratches to the paint, the front bumper and grille assembly was removed and set on a padded work bench.
6. The DJ Motorsports team...
6. The DJ Motorsports team used an air saw to carefully cut along the edges of the stock inner Cadillac grille.
7. Standard 7/16-inch wrenches...
7. Standard 7/16-inch wrenches were used to tighten the new chrome cover onto the grille shell.
8. With the Giovanna Edition...
8. With the Giovanna Edition Grille by DJ Motorsports Diamond Mesh in place, the retaining bolts were tightened all around the shell.
9. Moving to the bottom of...
9. Moving to the bottom of the frame support, the factory tow hooks were removed to make room for the new Diamond Mesh covers.
10. After popping off the...
10. After popping off the small plastic hook-trim covers, the new DJ Motorsports covers snapped right into place.
11. 3M blue masking tape was...
11. 3M blue masking tape was again used to cover the paint around the factory fender vent. Then, fishing line was used to snake in between the vent and fender to pry it loose.
12. A flat screwdriver was...
12. A flat screwdriver was the tool of choice to remove the mesh material behind the factory vent.
13. The new DJ Motorsports...
13. The new DJ Motorsports vent insert was set beside the factory vent to line things up.
14. Snapped into place, the...
14. Snapped into place, the new fender vent perfectly matched the grille and tow-hook covers.
15. It was now time to put...
15. It was now time to put the front grille and bumper assembly back into place and secure the bolts and clips we had removed during the tear down.
16. Check out the great new...
16. Check out the great new appearance of the Escalade with the addition of the Giovanna Edition Grille by DJ Motorsports.