new grille
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 6
From: UPSTATE NY
im amazed at how flimsy these things were, when everything else on the trucks are bulletproof. lol. im actally afraid to drive it certain places now, like busy grocery store parking lots or chaotic congested city streets, and i stay way back if a tractor trailer is in front of me
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 6
From: UPSTATE NY
contact gangstakr. he is the grillemaster. it had a few cracks in it that he overlooked, but he ended up making it right, and i went out and had it welded. its just one of cases where once in awhile ***** happens.
i couldnt be happier with the grille. it makes the whole truck look better and these 67 ones are getting to be rare. it was the only year where all the cross bars are symmetrical, so be sure to hit him up
i couldnt be happier with the grille. it makes the whole truck look better and these 67 ones are getting to be rare. it was the only year where all the cross bars are symmetrical, so be sure to hit him up
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 536
Likes: 0
From: Thomaston, GA
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Valdosta,Ga
P, I like this mod!
Hey qman - I just today finished some mods to my 72 grill. You are right, the stock 72 grill leaves a lot to be desired. You may want to try something like this. Cut some expanded metal to fit behind the inserts and paint it (I used chrome paint) - the crossbar is a piece of light gauge metal fab'd to fit in the cross bar space (similar to a 69 Ranger).
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: cleveland
I do have to say, that grille looks awesome. I also have a 68 and I have been kicking around ideas for the grille. So I just bought a polishing kit. I think i'm going to get started next week, after the snow stops. Unfortuantly here in Cleveland it snows and the truck is put away. My grille looks like crap and so do the bezels, but hte rest of the truck shines!!! PS how do you go about attaching pictures???
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Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: High Desert of Oregon
Hey qman - I just today finished some mods to my 72 grill. You are right, the stock 72 grill leaves a lot to be desired. You may want to try something like this. Cut some expanded metal to fit behind the inserts and paint it (I used chrome paint) - the crossbar is a piece of light gauge metal fab'd to fit in the cross bar space (similar to a 69 Ranger).
Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: High Desert of Oregon
Not a good picture but this is where I'm headed with my new inserts.....I like the look of the billet bar style grilles but
A) they are too symmetrical for me (I'm using 4 different diameters of rods in mine),
B) they're pretty pricey and
3) I really prefer to build rather than buy wherever possible
A) they are too symmetrical for me (I'm using 4 different diameters of rods in mine),
B) they're pretty pricey and
3) I really prefer to build rather than buy wherever possible
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 536
Likes: 0
From: Thomaston, GA
well, so far it looks fine to me. It does have the bright silver look, but so does the aluminum grill. Just one of those things where "whatever makes your boat float" applies. I didn't want to continue throwing money into the truck so not gonna bother with chroming - will just re-spray it as it needs it.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
Not a good picture but this is where I'm headed with my new inserts.....I like the look of the billet bar style grilles but
A) they are too symmetrical for me (I'm using 4 different diameters of rods in mine),
B) they're pretty pricey and
3) I really prefer to build rather than buy wherever possible
A) they are too symmetrical for me (I'm using 4 different diameters of rods in mine),
B) they're pretty pricey and
3) I really prefer to build rather than buy wherever possible
Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: High Desert of Oregon
I'll definitely post pics once I get it done. I took my first shot at assembly last night but this is my first time using a wirefeed welder and it looks like it's gonna take some practice. I haven't used a welder of any kind for 30 years and this is a bit different than welding 1/4" plate with a big arc welder.....
Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: High Desert of Oregon
Yep, still can't weld.....
So, I decided that rather than wait until I figure out how to weld I would go ahead with a middle step and modify the stock inserts. I stole Phil's idea for the insert strip but painted it with the color changing clearcoat so it ranges from dark charcoal to jade green depending on the viewing angle. The rest of the shell is just gloss black. I may try silver when I do the other side but it will be a couple of weeks before I have enough time at home to get after that side.
I played around with using different diameter rods for the diagonals but it looked best with all of them being 3/16"
I played around with using different diameter rods for the diagonals but it looked best with all of them being 3/16"