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Center Grill Support Necessary?

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Old Dec 13, 2012 | 03:54 PM
  #1  
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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?
 
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Old Dec 13, 2012 | 04:21 PM
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I don't plan on using mine.
 
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Old Dec 13, 2012 | 05:33 PM
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I suspect that back in the day it was vital just to hold things together on rough roads .
Not so much today .
 
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Old Dec 13, 2012 | 08:09 PM
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Does removing it have any effect on the hood latch? I'm just wondering if it helps stabilize it.
 
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Old Dec 13, 2012 | 09:00 PM
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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.
 
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Old Dec 14, 2012 | 08:05 AM
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I went ahead and used a brace. I went with black so it would just disappear into the background.
 
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Old Dec 14, 2012 | 11:42 AM
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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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Old Dec 14, 2012 | 12:09 PM
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Originally Posted by yamagrant
I don't plan on using mine.

Good to know I wouldn't be alone!

Originally Posted by 3golfjack
I went ahead and used a brace. I went with black so it would just disappear into the background.
I agree that if you're going to use a brace, trying to get it to disappear is the key.


Originally Posted by 52 Merc
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.
This is good solid advice, thank you!


Originally Posted by oldmerc
I suspect that back in the day it was vital just to hold things together on rough roads. Not so much today .
Yes, I doubt my truck will ever see too much off-pavement action...if it ever sees any action!


Originally Posted by EffieTrucker
Does removing it have any effect on the hood latch? I'm just wondering if it helps stabilize it.

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!

Originally Posted by truckeemtnfords
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.
Another thing I hadn't considered. Thank you.
 
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Old Dec 14, 2012 | 01:00 PM
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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
 
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Old Dec 18, 2012 | 09:56 PM
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I painted mine black and also added an extra amount of insurance so the hood wouldn't fly open. I drilled the hood pin and added a removable bolt.
 
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Old Mar 1, 2014 | 08:28 AM
  #11  
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Just pulling this one back up, like to get some more opinions from some others....

I to am debating it.....or possibly recessing it back closer to the grill.
 
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Old Mar 1, 2014 | 08:49 AM
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I didn't use mine.
 
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Old Mar 1, 2014 | 09:33 AM
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I meant to use mine, even bought a new polished stainless one, but never got around to installing it. Haven't had any issues.
 
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Old Mar 1, 2014 | 10:04 AM
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Originally Posted by oldmerc
I suspect that back in the day it was vital just to hold things together on rough roads .
Not so much today .
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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