Radiator Support Interchange
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: East Bend, North Carolina
Radiator Support Interchange
Will a radiator support from a 1979 F150 fit a 1976 F100? I know the headlight buckets are different since the 79 has rectangular headlights? Just not sure if everything else bolts up the same. I found one in excellent shape and for cheap to replace my rusted one.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 15
From: Lower Mainland B.C.
To swap your 76 headlight buckets onto the 79 rad support you should only have to drill 2 new holes for each headlight bucket to lower them to the 76 height as there are existing holes for the others. So there are already 2 holes existing, and you have to drill 2 new holes, for each headlight bucket. So drill 4 new holes total. Just look and compare the 2 rad supports and you can figure out where the new holes get drilled, these might even be the slotted holes so you don't have to be that accurate. IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, it has been....4 years since I did this.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
TWO different radiator supports used with round headlamps.
One was only used with the Super Cooling radiator, as it has a larger opening radius.
Super Cooling radiator measures approx. 26 1/4" wide x 24 11/16" high.
Standard, xtra cooling & A/C radiators measure approx. 26 1/4" wide x 19 3/4" high.
One was only used with the Super Cooling radiator, as it has a larger opening radius.
Super Cooling radiator measures approx. 26 1/4" wide x 24 11/16" high.
Standard, xtra cooling & A/C radiators measure approx. 26 1/4" wide x 19 3/4" high.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: East Bend, North Carolina
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,606
Likes: 1,175
From: San Jose, CA
Maybe this is a good time to highlight the different mounting points for the radiator as well.
I don't know if it was a year-specific thing, or a radiator-size thing, but there were two styles of radiator flange mount during that time.
What was the criteria for getting one or the other? Super Cool vs regular, or something else?
I've had two of the large radiators with each one having the different style, so if not that way from the factory, at least the aftermarket radiators came both ways in the large size.
Thanks
Paul
I don't know if it was a year-specific thing, or a radiator-size thing, but there were two styles of radiator flange mount during that time.
What was the criteria for getting one or the other? Super Cool vs regular, or something else?
I've had two of the large radiators with each one having the different style, so if not that way from the factory, at least the aftermarket radiators came both ways in the large size.
Thanks
Paul
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 15
From: Lower Mainland B.C.
You can always cut the smaller radiator opening bigger, there are already 2 holes drilled on the driver side near where the new opening cut will be made, these 2 holes are the new mounting/bolting points for the larger radiator.
YES there is a difference in the radiator mounting, that being what was pointed out, and/or it may have been done to use up "old stock" from the factory floor. The rad either bolts directly to the rad support, or bolts to a spot-welded upright on either side of the rad support air flow opening. Actually it may have been size for the super cooling as I remember not being able to get a socket extension between the rad and the upright. Idk, iirc, ymmv, wysiwyg.
YES there is a difference in the radiator mounting, that being what was pointed out, and/or it may have been done to use up "old stock" from the factory floor. The rad either bolts directly to the rad support, or bolts to a spot-welded upright on either side of the rad support air flow opening. Actually it may have been size for the super cooling as I remember not being able to get a socket extension between the rad and the upright. Idk, iirc, ymmv, wysiwyg.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
I just did the headlight thing with a 78/79 support onto a 77. I had to drill 4 new holes for each side. None of the original holes lined up. It was not difficulty to accomplish with a good drill, and a die grinder to elongate the holes for adjustment purposes.
Tuned
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 448
Likes: 13
I just did the same thing. My headlights are angled down too far and cant adjust them high enough for a good low beam distance without them pointing way to low. I'm going to look into shiming them up a bit
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
D8TZ-16138-A .. Radiator Support-Use with Rectangular Headlamps / Obsolete - 1978/79 F100/350 & Bronco.
The area behind the headlamp buckets is dished inwards, so the headlamps will fit correctly.
The two round headlamp supports do not have this feature.
The area behind the headlamp buckets is dished inwards, so the headlamps will fit correctly.
The two round headlamp supports do not have this feature.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
blk450er
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
18
Jun 6, 2017 04:50 PM
mlevario99
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
8
Apr 3, 2008 04:01 PM