Anyone know whats all needed to make the switch from a 77 to a 78 or 79 grille? What parts are all needed? I know the 77 was a switch year so I heard it wasnt that bad to do. Any info would be much appreciated.

 

Its so easy even I could do it. Headlight buckets, then drill some new holes. Grill bolts right on.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...79-face-2.html

Here's a thread from when I did the swap. There's other helpful links in the thread and a couple issues I ran into.

 

Correct, you need only a drill bit. You're going the wrong way though, going from 77 to 78 🤣

 

I also prefer the early grille. Later grille should give more room for an intercooler though

 

Plenty room for my Super Duty IC behind my early grill, but yeah, the 78/79 does have a large open area. I dig 'em both.

 

1973/78's with round headlamps use a different radiator support than 1978/79's with rectangular headlamps. The difference has to do with how the buckets mount.

1978/79's use different parking lamps than 1973/77's.

The 1978/79 radiator support with rectangular headlamps is dished inwards behind the buckets, so they will fit in the grille frame properly.

1978/79's also use unique brackets (D8TZ-8232-A Right / D8TZ-8232-B Left) that bolt to the radiator support to retain the headlamp buckets (see upper pic).

Plus, the OP will need complete rectangular headlamp assy's including the headlamp doors. Not just the buckets.

Upper pic: Grille, radiator support, unique brackets (only R/S shown) and misc parts / Lower pic: Rectangular headlamp parts and parking lamps..

 

You need everything from grill shell out including the top metal plates that hold the buckets to the support. If going the opposite direction you have to lengthen your turn signal wires but not this direction going to older. The 78-79 plastic grill has push pins that hold the plastic grill to the shell that are different than earlier which attached by screws. The headlight trim rings require an extra screw but are same as earlier. I've done a couple and never ran into any issues besides drilling 1 hole on each side. It's been done millions of times if you search and they adjust and function normally.

 

78-79 round require 2 holes each side to mount the buckets in. Doesn't matter that they didn't have the dimple radiator support.

From this to:


This. Yes you have to get all the other pieces, but if you want round the correct 78-79 buckets must be used but the support is not an issue, headlight connectors need addressing but that's easy got them and spliced them from a donor. Go at it boy!

 

1973/79's with round headlamps use a different radiator support than 1978/79's with rectangular headlamps. 1978/79's have the dimple for the buckets, 1973/77's do not.

And there are TWO different round headlamp supports, because the support used with the SUPER COOLING has a larger opening radius.

 

ND, wouldn't there have been 3 different supports? The six cylinder definitely has a smaller opening than the V8's. Or was they like the cabs and just cut on "as-needed" for different configurations? Just curious for it appears you can take a small 6 support and cut it out and make it work for an 8?

And was the super cooling available for the 78-79 square years?

 

Standard/Xtra Cooling & A/C radiators measure approx. 26 1/4" high x 19 3/4" wide.

Super Cooling radiator measures approx 26 1/4" high x 24 11/16" wide.

See 16138 in pic: Notice D8TZ-16138-A has "locating depressions" for headlamp buckets.

 

I'm guessing that if you got the super cooling package in '78 or '79, that you got round headlights, no matter how highly optioned the truck?
The '78-'79 headlights look to be a couple of inches higher than the '73-'77s.

 

Looks like I guessed wrong above...
It also seems to state that there are no 25.5" opening rad supports for rectangular headlights.

 

Super Cooling radiator was available for ALL 1973/79's, and...

Only Customs have round headlamps in 1979 and most were "stripper" aka price leader Flaresides sold to the US Gov't, and to fleets (petroleum/construction/telephone companies).