new grille
Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 218
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From: High Desert of Oregon
Thanks Phil. Spent a lot more time in the planning than the execution and relied on the wife to keep me in check on the aesthetics. 7 diagonal rods was too many and 3 wasn't enough. I'm going to take a shot at the right side next time I'm home for a couple of days and see what it looks like if the insert shell is painted bright silver instead of black. Not confident that will be a winner but, what the hell, paint is cheap.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 536
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From: Thomaston, GA
Thanks Phil. Spent a lot more time in the planning than the execution and relied on the wife to keep me in check on the aesthetics. 7 diagonal rods was too many and 3 wasn't enough. I'm going to take a shot at the right side next time I'm home for a couple of days and see what it looks like if the insert shell is painted bright silver instead of black. Not confident that will be a winner but, what the hell, paint is cheap.
Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: High Desert of Oregon
I thought about using square stock instead of round but I hadn't really considered using wider strips of stock in that way...I did try to visualize a sort of louvered look that would tie back into the jalousie windows on our SilverStreak so there was some design continuity between trailer and tow rig.
One of my concerns was in having too many square edges and straight lines; these trucks are so 'blocky' as it is. I got a decal for the Wifes Jeep that says "Aerodynamics are Over-rated", I think I need one for this rig as well.
Maybe after I get home next Sunday I'll wander over to the farm supply store and pick up some 1/2" strips to play around with - I know the 3/4" stuff I used for the inset strip is too wide to be used vertically.
One of my concerns was in having too many square edges and straight lines; these trucks are so 'blocky' as it is. I got a decal for the Wifes Jeep that says "Aerodynamics are Over-rated", I think I need one for this rig as well.
Maybe after I get home next Sunday I'll wander over to the farm supply store and pick up some 1/2" strips to play around with - I know the 3/4" stuff I used for the inset strip is too wide to be used vertically.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 536
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From: Thomaston, GA
[quote=JeffsF-250;10116103]...I did try to visualize a sort of louvered look that would tie back into the jalousie windows on our SilverStreak so there was some design continuity between trailer and tow rig.
I got a decal for the Wifes Jeep that says "Aerodynamics are Over-rated",
I think the jalousie window look may be cool - watch you don't restrict too much air flow though on the slant.
Love the decal for the jeep - I've got a 69 CJ5 - has the aerodynamics of a brick!!
I got a decal for the Wifes Jeep that says "Aerodynamics are Over-rated",
I think the jalousie window look may be cool - watch you don't restrict too much air flow though on the slant.
Love the decal for the jeep - I've got a 69 CJ5 - has the aerodynamics of a brick!!
Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: High Desert of Oregon
[quote=Phil105;10116357]
I'm also concerned about creating too much lift on the front end at high speed; maybe I'll go with a reverse louver to provide additional down-force...... 
Our Jeep is a '98 Grand Cherokee Limited with a 5.2 and Quadra-trac so it's good for 18 MPG if I totally baby it but, god bless her, she LOVES that thing. To the point where she suggested I pick up another engine and rebuild it so if she burns this one up it won't be off the road for too long..... I think it's got another 75k in it pretty easy so I'm in no rush to start THAT project.
Our Jeep is a '98 Grand Cherokee Limited with a 5.2 and Quadra-trac so it's good for 18 MPG if I totally baby it but, god bless her, she LOVES that thing. To the point where she suggested I pick up another engine and rebuild it so if she burns this one up it won't be off the road for too long..... I think it's got another 75k in it pretty easy so I'm in no rush to start THAT project.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 536
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From: Thomaston, GA
[quote=JeffsF-250;10116452]haaaaa - maybe you could try a spoiler on the HOOD - it would blend in with the jalousie slats
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: cleveland
Hey JeffF-250, I found this in Truckin it's called flash chrome. It says you get a polished metal look everytime. Check them out at <www.fashionpaintusa.com>. Anyways, good luck..
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Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 218
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From: High Desert of Oregon
Unless you're referring to the Spectra Chrome article they did on Gravedigger..... It looks like there is a process called flash chrome and then there is a product from Slovenia that's named Flash Chrome. I'll keep digging though, thanks for the tip.
</www.fashionpaintusa.com>
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: cleveland
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: cleveland
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: cleveland
Hey great looking grill. I have a 68 f100. I need to do something to the grill. It needs to shine or something. Did you have yours done, and if so what was it? Anything thrown my way would help. I am thinking about painting the grill black, then inserting some aluminum expanded metal behind it.. Any help would be great. thanks
Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 218
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From: High Desert of Oregon
IMHO, the '68 grille is a good looking piece to start with...the '72 is one of the most boring designs they ever came up with 
If yours is pretty straight I'll bet it would look hot fully polished. Depending, of course, on the color of the truck it might look good blacked out as well. I think the expanded metal behind it might be overkill since the '68 has so many lines already.
Alternating color strips won't work because of the 2 narrow, 1 wide, 2 narrow layout but maybe the main part painted body color and either black, white or red for the narrow strips? And if it doesn't work, well, lacquer thinner is cheap....
Since I was just doing inserts on mine it was easy to lay out different ideas and play with them; not quite as simple with the '67/'68 grilles.
If yours is pretty straight I'll bet it would look hot fully polished. Depending, of course, on the color of the truck it might look good blacked out as well. I think the expanded metal behind it might be overkill since the '68 has so many lines already. Alternating color strips won't work because of the 2 narrow, 1 wide, 2 narrow layout but maybe the main part painted body color and either black, white or red for the narrow strips? And if it doesn't work, well, lacquer thinner is cheap....
Since I was just doing inserts on mine it was easy to lay out different ideas and play with them; not quite as simple with the '67/'68 grilles.
New User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Robert's???
Excuse me if I missed it, but is Robert's a restoration service? Chrome service? I have a four (?) of these early grilles and would like to have one restored to new condition for my project. Any info is appreciated...thanks!