Custom-made Grill Idea-Completed!
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 917
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From: South Carolina
Custom-made Grill Idea-Completed!
Hey guys, I had this idea. Tell me what you think of it. I like the 80-81 grill because of no emblem, but its too busy. But I like the 82-86 grills for the simplicity of them. So…my idea is to take two 82-86 grills and take out the emblem to make one grill.
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 667
Likes: 4
From: New Jersey
Pretty cool idea. I've always been partial to the no logo with the letters across the hood myself. To get that grille to look right will probably take a lot of finishing work to look factory, but I say go for it. It'll be unique. 
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 399
Likes: 1
From: Winnipeg Canada
I like the 80-81 grille because it is more complex and doesn't have the blue oval. If you have a Chrome/Argent 80-81 grille you could paint everything that is Argent (silver) a dark gray or black - maybe even matching the accent colour of the headlight bezels. Lots of masking, prep and painting but I think that would look good. The grill would retain its classic proportions with a subtle second read.
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: South Carolina
Thanks for the responses! emgee-I dont have, and cant find the 80-81 grills in junkyards, so Im going for the custom look. lostdane-Where the emblem is, there is no curve. That part is flat. The only problem Im having right now is figuring out how to attach the cross from the other grill.
emgee-I dont have, and cant find the 80-81 grills in junkyards, so Im going for the custom look. lostdane-Where the emblem is, there is no curve. That part is flat. The only problem Im having right now is figuring out how to attach the cross from the other grill.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 667
Likes: 4
From: New Jersey
Thanks for the responses! emgee-I dont have, and cant find the 80-81 grills in junkyards, so Im going for the custom look. lostdane-Where the emblem is, there is no curve. That part is flat. The only problem Im having right now is figuring out how to attach the cross from the other grill.
emgee-I dont have, and cant find the 80-81 grills in junkyards, so Im going for the custom look. lostdane-Where the emblem is, there is no curve. That part is flat. The only problem Im having right now is figuring out how to attach the cross from the other grill.
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 917
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From: South Carolina
So I'll cut into grill #1, at, lets say 45 degree angle, on all four bars to remove the emblem, and on grill #2, cut out a slightly bigger filler piece, also at a 45 angle, right? And what kind of adhesive did you have in mind?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,990
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From: Florida
Dude, I literally was just thinking about doing the same thing a few weeks ago! I also can't stand the busy aspect of the 80-81 grilles, but I want to be original at the same time. I can't wait to see how this comes out!
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 22
From: Florence, SC
That turned out GREAT! I just added a positive rep to you for that!
You have the best of both worlds, in my opinion. You got a 1982 - 1986 model grille that is less "busy" than 1980 - 1981 grille, but you made it without the Ford oval in the middle and retained the F-O-R-D hood letters. Perfect!
One thing I have noticed about the stock 1980 - 1981 hood letters, and this is picky. The stock hood letters do not match the "FORD" script on the back of the 1980 - 1984 or 1985 - 1986 aluminum tailgate trim panel that is found on the Lariat model. The trim panel letters are in a slightly different script, especially noticeable in the "F" and "R." And that is the only reason why I don't have the hood letters on my own truck, a 1985 Lariat model with the aluminum tailgate trim panel. The hood letters do however, match the F-O-R-D script that is stamped in the back of the 1980 - 1986 tailgate that is visible on all other trim levels.
You have the best of both worlds, in my opinion. You got a 1982 - 1986 model grille that is less "busy" than 1980 - 1981 grille, but you made it without the Ford oval in the middle and retained the F-O-R-D hood letters. Perfect!
One thing I have noticed about the stock 1980 - 1981 hood letters, and this is picky. The stock hood letters do not match the "FORD" script on the back of the 1980 - 1984 or 1985 - 1986 aluminum tailgate trim panel that is found on the Lariat model. The trim panel letters are in a slightly different script, especially noticeable in the "F" and "R." And that is the only reason why I don't have the hood letters on my own truck, a 1985 Lariat model with the aluminum tailgate trim panel. The hood letters do however, match the F-O-R-D script that is stamped in the back of the 1980 - 1986 tailgate that is visible on all other trim levels.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Wow, that looks great Alan! I may have to do that myself with two chrome grills and then have them re-dipped.
Glad to see you were able to get the hood letters on as well, they look great as well!
Good eye Lariat, even I have never noticed that.lol.
Glad to see you were able to get the hood letters on as well, they look great as well!
Good eye Lariat, even I have never noticed that.lol.
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: South Carolina
Thanks for the reps Lariat! You said it best.
And I never noticed the letter difference, it could be because the hood letters were a carry-over from the 70's, and ford didn't want to use new letters for two years.
Shaun, I would have done chrome, but those are hard to find in the yard up near me, so as this was the "trial run" so to speak, I didnt want to mess it up. Getting the joints to match was the hardest part.
And last but not least, thanks Ron!
Shaun, I would have done chrome, but those are hard to find in the yard up near me, so as this was the "trial run" so to speak, I didnt want to mess it up. Getting the joints to match was the hardest part.
And last but not least, thanks Ron!