I've read on this board and other publications that the '48 Ford F series grilles had a red pinstripe. Does anyone have a picture of this? I'm nearing (hopefully) the end of a restoration on a '48 F4 and I'd love to put this pin stripe on.

 

That's beautiful! I'm practically speechless. Sorry I can't help with the pinstripe.

 

Indeed, that is gorgeous! Sorry, I can't help with the pinstripe either. I don't recall ever seeing one in photos, but that's not definitive.

Where did you get your grille? I was looking earlier today, and they can be speeeeendy!

 

The 48 grill was Manila Tan and had stainless steel grill bars, at least mine did when new

Ed
near Philadelphia

 

Wow looks great! I'm doing a 49 f-4 now, motors done cab and frame next then back together! It's nice to see the bigger trucks getting done

 

Are those wheels grill color? They look good

 

I have a couple of photographs (not mine) of pin striped grills. I do not have the ability to post them though. If you message me, we might be able to work it out so that I can send them to you. regards, Rustybits

 

I believe someone put a 48 grill on my 49 F3 (I am starting to see signs of a small accident and panels could have been replaced) and the striping is on the top and bottom of every grill slat.... hope it helps.

 

Thanks for the encouraging words on the F4. It's been a challenging build and it's not even my truck! I've been restoring it for a friend. To answer some of your questions:

ChristiansenP: The grille was included with the stack of parts I was given. It was pitted badly on the back side and rusted through (small hole) between the left side of the grille bars and headlight hole. The hole was repaired and the body guy worked his magic smoothing out the pits on the front.

Jafo56: you have a keen eye. Yes, the grille and rims are the same color. I had the rims powder coated a couple of years ago and asked the painter to match the color for the grille.

EAK69: thank you for the picture. Definitely helps.

rustybits: if you have other pictures I'd like to see them too. I'll message you with my email.

 

here are the pics from rustybits.

 

Mine looked more like the bottom photo than the top....

 

Here's the story on pinstripes: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ml#post1234340

The ones I've seen, the red stripes were on the recessed part of each bar. The first picture above looks wrong, the second looks closer but still on the faces of the bars.

 

That F4 you have is a real beauty! Very nice work!

 

As others have mentioned, the 48 grilles were painted tan (all references I've seen are Tucson Tan) with the red stripes similar to the 2nd pic from rustybits. Ross is correct regarding the placement, to my experience.

Hivolt, you have a handsome truck that shows some great work. Well done!

 

wow, so now I'm really confused on the grille. I've seen pictures of these trucks with the tan grille but most I've seen had silver grilles. Here are a couple of pictures of the F4 I've been working on in "as found" condition. The picture quality is bad but it appears to have a silver grille; of course I can't make out any stripes. Three other people 'worked' on this truck before I started so I'm not really sure what it's original condition was. The grille had already been sanded and shot with yellow sealer when I got it.

So what would you guys do? Should I leave the grille as it is now, or should I put the red pin stripe?