Well, Larry, your friend is mistaken, no matter how many he's bought. None of the 48-50's had chrome grilles. The bars were all painted. But in '48, the only year they were offered, there was a stainless steel trim cap that covered just the front of the bars. I couldn't swear that all of them had it or if it was an option, or most or some of them had it, or perhaps only on certain series, (f-1's yes but not f-6's, perhaps) but they were never chrome. If you want them, they are available in reproduction.

If the serial number on your truck starts with 88, your truck is a '48, grille trim or not. If it says 98, than it's a 49 or 50 model. Let us know what you find.