Good question - I gave that truck to my dad because his old truck was rusting through and he deserved a new pickup. I was approximately 1,500 miles away when he had that front end built. The stock ZR2 front end offers very little protection and he puts a lot of miles on across open country. One of the cowboys he ran cattle with back in the day has brush guards from the same manufacturer on his full size trucks- so I just told him to get what he wanted and paid the bill. I agree with the sentiment expressed by others, the price is a bit steep. On the other hand, I have not seen anything from any other supplier that approaches the level of workmanship. Plus, aluminum is a much better material for road salt states.
My guess is that the line you are talking about was made on a sheet metal brake - each section was formed on a brake and then the sections were welded together (vertical seams, I'd guess). This is just a guess, I have not seen the component up close and I know enough to know that I am not an expert. If you would like some close up photographs, let me know and I'll get them.
I think the component is well engineered and well finished. It was built in SoDak and installed- which was probably a lot of work involving cutting around the various GM nonsense.
If I could afford another new pickup for myself, I think I'd buy the same component again.
-Mike
