Im building a 69 F100 and want to use the 1970 grill with the split center. Does anyone know if it will swap right over with no issues?

 

No issues I can think of if it swapped as an assembly.

I recall ND stating there was a year split in`70.

Secondly, IIRC the 70 shell nor the inserts are reproduced. That's why vendors point guys towards using either the 71 or 72 inserts.

Know what yer getting into cuz it's a one-year only deal and parts may be HTF and priced commensurately.

EDIT: Here's what ND posted about the 70 grills:

"Which type of 1970 grille inserts does it have? 1970: There are two different grille frames, two different types of grille inserts.

Originally, the 1970 grille frame (before serial number J30,001) used two inserts that are right and left specific.

Later on (from serial number J30,001), Ford replaced this grille frame with another, the inserts it uses are the same right and left.
"

 

Also required is the 1970/72 lower stone shield (shown as 17A862 in pic). The 1967/69 version will not work on 1970/72's.

 

Dennis Carpenter reproduces the '70 and the '72 grille inserts but the '71 grille inserts are not reproduced.

http://dennis-carpenter.com/m/produc...?p=D0TZ-8150-B

http://dennis-carpenter.com/m/search...d=3&tab=trucks

 

Thanks... my axons and dendrites weren't in sync.

AC

 

It sucks no one reproduces the '71 grille inserts. If I was to ever swap out my '69 grille, I'd like to have a '71. I think it's the best looking grille Ford produced for these trucks, followed by the '70 grille.

I have a '72 grille assembly but, to me, I don't think the '72 inserts looks as good as the '71 inserts.

 

2X. I agree because of the stainless steel moldings on the 71 grille inserts. Most are not a fan of chrome anymore but I still am. That's why I really keyed in on Hio's 71 grille molding fix thread. This one 71 Grill Insert Fix to Mount Stainless Trim Bar .
OP, you might check out that thread just in case you run across a 71 grille assembly that needs a little love.

 

To me, the two vertical division bars on the '71 insert looks much better than the single division on the '72 insert.

'71 grille/inserts.



'72 grille/inserts.

 

I see your point. Notice how Ford was making the inserts to look like they were floating in mid air. Kinda cool. Including the 1968 grille that had black paint put on in strategic places to get the same effect. The 69 grille just didn't get the black paint so it looked totally different to original buyers.

 

I don't like the 72's either.

My 71's were cracked and needed replaced so I went with the 70's. I like the look of them better anyhow.
I had to make some small modifications to the surround to mount it but no big deal.

 

I agree 100% about the 71 looking best. I thought about searching to try and find some decent 71 inserts before I pulled the trigger on the new 70 grill. Although the truck is a 70 model and its correct. The 71 or 69 Ranger look alittle better. To me the 71 looks alittle tougher and the 69 just looks good with the red emblem.

 

2X, Which is why I put a 69 Ranger grille on my 68 Ranger.

 

The PO put a '69 grille on my '68, probably because it was hit. My favorite bump grille is the '67, so when time and funds allow I'll make the switch.

Anybody want to trade a '67 for a '69?

 

Front stone shield/guard. I'm confused (which isn't hard to do) I thought that in a prev. post that Ford changed or replaced the 67-9 shield with 70-72 one. The difference in parking light mounting. Reason I'm asking is I have a chance to get a shield for it looks like 67-9...no light mounting holes. Hate to make a 80 mile round trip for nothing.

 

You are correct. Ford had replaced the 67/69 one with the 70/72 one. The divot under the park lamps is longer on the 70/72 one. So it will work for all. For some reason my computer jumbles the text and pics up when I try to copy and paste off "the other site" So the text around a pic may not be for that pic. But the pics are what I wanted to post.





Lower Valance PanelsThe front valance panels appear identical for all '67-'72 F-100 thru F-350 trucks, with one minor exception: The turn signal housings on the '70-'72 trucks were bolted onto the valance, requiring two holes drilled for them. The '67-'68 valance panels don't have these holes. However, there are also some other subtle differences, as shown below.

Pictured:
'70-'72 valance panel (left)
'67-'69 valance panel (right)
Top: '67 valance panel
Bottom: '70 valance panel
The '67-'69 panels have sharp distinct edges, whereas the '70-'72 panels' edges are softer (more curved).
Top: '70 valance panel
Bottom: '67 valance panel
Though it's not very obvious in this picture, the frame notch is 1/4" wider on the '70-'72 panels..

Top: '67 valance panel
Bottom: '70 valance panel
The turn signal area is 1-1/4" wider on the '70-'72 panels. This means that the later panels will work on '67-'69 trucks, but not vice-versa. The early panel will not fit the later truck's turn signal indicator, unless an early grille is also used.
Here's a shot of a '70-'72 valance panel used with a '69 grille. Notice the extra space in the valance next to the turn signal indicator...