Grille Question?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,473
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From: Tri Cities, TN
Grille Question?
Is it possible to put the grille and stone deflector in with the upper grille in place? I have dropped the ball and don't have a grille ready to go in and I would like to set the gaps on the fenders. But I'm afraid I won't be able to get the grille in if I tighten all that stuff up first. Any input from someone who has been there would be appreciated.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
The only way to do it properly and it's also the easiest, is to install the upper grille panel, grille and stone deflector as a one piece bolted together assembly.
Any other way, will be a study in futility.
Any other way, will be a study in futility.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 191
Likes: 31
From: Seattle
Just did this on my '66 - I thought it was the easy way!
My front end took a lot of wiggling and fussing to get it where it looks decent, and I didn't want to risk damaging my newly polished grille. One caution, though...make sure you have short body bolts to attach the grille to the upper valence - they will interfere and instantly deform the top grille border if they are too long, especially if dog point bolts.
I couldn't get a wide enough gap on the drivers side door area and finally figured out that the only way to open that gap (after you have the best door to cab fit possible), is to shim the inner fender channel at the firewall. 3 1/8th inch thick shims later, it finally looked a lot better.
So guess what I found in my now almost empty parts box when I finished up? Yup, 3 rusty 1/8 inch slotted body shims.
My front end took a lot of wiggling and fussing to get it where it looks decent, and I didn't want to risk damaging my newly polished grille. One caution, though...make sure you have short body bolts to attach the grille to the upper valence - they will interfere and instantly deform the top grille border if they are too long, especially if dog point bolts.
I couldn't get a wide enough gap on the drivers side door area and finally figured out that the only way to open that gap (after you have the best door to cab fit possible), is to shim the inner fender channel at the firewall. 3 1/8th inch thick shims later, it finally looked a lot better.
So guess what I found in my now almost empty parts box when I finished up? Yup, 3 rusty 1/8 inch slotted body shims.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2015
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From: Tri Cities, TN
Thanks! I think I better stop where I am and start working on getting a grille ready. I have a decent painted 66 and a somewhat dinged 65 aluminum that I had the anodize stripped off of. Now, decision time. Sandblast an paint, straighten an polish or get the saw out and make a custom.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,651
Likes: 60
From: Hemet ca.
Thanks! I think I better stop where I am and start working on getting a grille ready. I have a decent painted 66 and a somewhat dinged 65 aluminum that I had the anodize stripped off of. Now, decision time. Sandblast an paint, straighten an polish or get the saw out and make a custom.
"Before"
"After"
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Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,473
Likes: 971
From: Tri Cities, TN
Grille
Customs are nice but sometimes difficult. All depends on what look your going for. Here's two pictures of my 66 custom grille on my 64.
"Before"
Attachment 246232
"After"
Attachment 246233
"Before"
Attachment 246232
"After"
Attachment 246233
I'm still walking around both of the ones I have trying to decide what to do. You are correct about customs being difficult and a lot of work. Cut it apart, TIG new stuff in, grind the welds, then polish it all, then anodize. You know after typing that I realized those two sentences amount to a week or more of work.
I'm getting out the sandblaster and some epoxy primer and going with the 66. Unless I change my mind.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,651
Likes: 60
From: Hemet ca.
Beautiful work! I'm guessing that is an aluminum grille?
I'm still walking around both of the ones I have trying to decide what to do. You are correct about customs being difficult and a lot of work. Cut it apart, TIG new stuff in, grind the welds, then polish it all, then anodize. You know after typing that I realized those two sentences amount to a week or more of work.
I'm getting out the sandblaster and some epoxy primer and going with the 66. Unless I change my mind.
I'm still walking around both of the ones I have trying to decide what to do. You are correct about customs being difficult and a lot of work. Cut it apart, TIG new stuff in, grind the welds, then polish it all, then anodize. You know after typing that I realized those two sentences amount to a week or more of work.
I'm getting out the sandblaster and some epoxy primer and going with the 66. Unless I change my mind.
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