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I recently bought a grille shell off a 72 that is in near perfect condition that will be going on my 70. This didn't have the inserts and since the majority of parts from 70-72 interchange, I assumed the grilles would be the same. I now know the shell itself will fit right, but I've realized and read that the 70 inserts that I'd like to put in will not fit properly and have read where several members talked about this as well. So I know 70 inserts technically won't fit in a 72 grille shell, but my question is - isn't it as simple as spacing the 70 inserts out some? I don't have either year of inserts to compare, but from what I can see it looks like the top and bottom mounting screws/holes are in the same position left to right, the only issue being is the 72 inserts are deeper than 70. Figure I can just cut off the side mounting tabs. Can anyone tell me if I'm thinking about this right? Thanks in advance for the help.
Im not a fan of the 71-72 grille inserts either but sounds like 70 inserts wont work. Ive seen the 72 inserts for $60 each on a few vendors. I have a 70 and 72 grille and 72 inserts but they wont see my truck. I will end up buying a pair of 70 inserts.
After saying it sounded like it wouldnt work, I dug out my two grilles.
I thought I had a 72 and 70 grille but it is a 71 and 70. Same difference. 71 on top and 70 on bottom. I measured the insert openings and they are basically the same. The 71 is deeper and has one mounting tab on each side of the inserts additional to the regular four tabs as seen on the 70 grille.
The second pic has 71 insert in the 71 grille.
This pic below has the 71 insert in the 70 grille. Not sure why it went upside down but the insert sticks out. The main four holes line up as well. I imagine if you tried to adjust the tabs out for 70 inserts you would have to re drill holes or let it set in deep.
After saying it sounded like it wouldnt work, I dug out my two grilles.
I thought I had a 72 and 70 grille but it is a 71 and 70. Same difference. 71 on top and 70 on bottom. I measured the insert openings and they are basically the same. The 71 is deeper and has one mounting tab on each side of the inserts additional to the regular four tabs as seen on the 70 grille.
The second pic has 71 insert in the 71 grille.
This pic below has the 71 insert in the 70 grille. Not sure why it went upside down but the insert sticks out. The main four holes line up as well. I imagine if you tried to adjust the tabs out for 70 inserts you would have to re drill holes or let it set in deep.
Thanks for taking those pics! Based on those, seems to me there’s no reason 70 inserts can’t work with a little persuasion. I’m going to give it a try and post how it goes here.
If I get time tomorrow, I could pull a 70 insert out of my 70 f250 and lay it in the 71 grille and see what it looks like. Its my weekend truck and sometimes for work.
If I get time tomorrow, I could pull a 70 insert out of my 70 f250 and lay it in the 71 grille and see what it looks like. Its my weekend truck and sometimes for work.
No. In the pic the holes are not lined up because I would have had to bend the side tabs up for it to slide all the way in. I was just showing how deep it would have to set down in there.
Thanks for taking the pic. Looks to me like if the side tabs are bent out or cut off, then the mounting holes will line up. Longer screws and some spacers will take care of depth issue.
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