Center Grill Support Necessary?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,130
Likes: 3
From: Hendersonville, TN
Center Grill Support Necessary?
I couldn't find a past discussion on this and was wondering what everyone's opinion is on center grill supports.
I prefer the look of no grill support, and I see quite a few trucks without them. It doesn't seem terribly necessary, but I'm no expert. Also this is assuming that the grill support doesn't also hold an emblem...
What does everyone think? Prefer with or without? Chrome? Black? Body color?
I prefer the look of no grill support, and I see quite a few trucks without them. It doesn't seem terribly necessary, but I'm no expert. Also this is assuming that the grill support doesn't also hold an emblem...
What does everyone think? Prefer with or without? Chrome? Black? Body color?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,202
Likes: 4,817
From: Burbank, WA
The number one school of thought on most things like this is that Ford wouldn't have spent one dime on anything that wasn't necessary for the proper function of the truck. If they built a half million trucks, times 10 cents, that would be a savings of $50,000. Not chump change in the mid fifties and would have made a healthy profit for the company. Can you get away without using it? Perhaps. Will the hood latch work better and be more stable with it in place? Absolutely. Is it worth taking a chance on your hood popping open at 60mph? That's your call.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,685
Likes: 374
From: Fallon,NV & Bainbridge OH
Personally, based on my '55 I have and a '53 I had, the support does more to support the center of the gravel shield than the grill and it don't appear to do anything for the hood latch, that is all handled by the assembly the latch mounts to.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,130
Likes: 3
From: Hendersonville, TN
Good to know I wouldn't be alone!
The number one school of thought on most things liky for the proper function of the truck. If they built a half million trucks, times 10 cents, that would be a savings of $50,000. Not chump change in the mid fifties and would have made a healthy profit for the company. Can you get away without using it? Perhaps. Will the hood latch work better and be more stable with it in place? Absolutely. Is it worth taking a chance on your hood popping open at 60mph? That's your call.
I would think those four bolts on the top that connect the valence to the core support would keep it pretty sturdy...but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt!
Another thing I hadn't considered. Thank you.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: northwestern Ontario
I plan to use the brace on my 56 painted black to blend into the background of the radiator. My thought are it would reduce vibration at highway speeds. My thoughts for what it's worth
oldmerc
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,538
Likes: 5
From: Edmonton,Alberta
Further to my earlier remark . If you're building a show truck then it's up to you , ours will be a driver so I plan on installing it .
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