When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I bought a new grill shell. I saw on LMC that they are now making/selling a custom tubular insert set. You need to use the 76-77 grill inserts and cut out the center part. The LMC tubular inserts get mounted inside each of the 76-77 inserts, once you have removed the center section.
Has anyone tried one? I like the look quite a bit, but if it is going to rust soon, I'd rather not buy one.
I had and old school square tube grill insert for a 79, it looked ok. It was chrome and did not look rusty. I gave it to a FTE buddy a long time ago. I think he gave it to another FTE buddy and he put it in. FYI Also looks like the LMC one only offer it in a 4MM, and the one piece for a 78/79 they offer 4MM or 8MM.
I do not read where you have to cut anything to make them work? looks like 2 ea separate inserts. https://www.lmctruck.com/grilles/cus...et-grille-sets
What do you think of how it looks? My thinking is that I have so many aftermarket mods and parts from other vehicles, alternator, radiator, hydroboost, 4x disk brakes, changed engine size and changed to manual trans, p/s pump, starter, valves, ignition, coil, valve cover, efan and PWM controller, that adding a non oem grill could not hurt the resale value.
I think it will look ok, I think it wil be different in a cool way. As long as you retain the outer grill shell and just use aftermarket custom style grill inserts, that can't hurt a thing come resale time. Just save the old OEM inserts for any possible next owner that wants them.
I like the look of the grill insert on the 78/79 grill shell. I haven't seen what they look like the 73-77 split grill in person.
I do have concerns for the 78-79 version though and this is based on what happened to a friends grill shell years ago. The tabs the grill insert attaches to on the shell started to crack and when one went, the rest soon followed. Maybe the newer ones don't weigh as much, but the insert he had in his truck was noticeably heavier than the factory plastic insert. It was larger oval bars which looked a lot like the wide bar image above.
That probably isn't an issue for the earlier model grill shell since it is two smaller pieces.
If I were to install one on mine (thinking about it since my original is showing its age from UV exposure & weather) I am going to find a way to reinforce the grill shell to keep mine from breaking.
When the 2 piece inserts get brittle, a little fiberglass sheeting and some liquid rosin reinforcement on the back side can get you some more time using them.
When the 2 piece inserts get brittle, a little fiberglass sheeting and some liquid rosin reinforcement on the back side can get you some more time using them.
That is a good looking truck. WHERE did you find the stainless bed top rails? I also like the small mirrors. Thanks for the images.
One of the member who posted in this thread mentioned weight, and that possibly the extra weight causing the mounting tabs on the shell to break. That is possible. And then it occurred to me that wind resistance may be a factor that causes the tabs to break. The oem inserts look as though they have close to zero wind resistance. The LMC inserts, however, look as though they may have substantially more resistance. If the inserts ($130 ish) get ruined I would simply install the oem ones again. But if the inserts ruin the grill shell, well, that cost me $600+, plus a days labor to swap it out. I wouldn't be happy about that. Bottom line? Looking cool for $130 bucks could end up costing an additional $600.
Ha! I've learned that with automotive work whenever you change from an oem part to a high performance or aftermarket part, there are repercussions that usually end up costing me more $.
That is a good looking truck. WHERE did you find the stainless bed top rails? I also like the small mirrors. Thanks for the images.
Not MY trucks, just some internet pics to show you the different grill insert options. IMO the type 5 (small) mirrors only serve to meet the DOT requirment of having a side mirror. But as far as actually using them to safely back up....never gonna happen with them postage stamp view mirrors.
I can not imagion that the LMC inserts are heavy duty at all or weight very much. I bet they are cast or light weight pot metal, I have made bad bets in the past, so I am pretty much guessing. And the outer grill shell has multiple inner insert attachment points. I can not imagion that the wind on the LMC inner grill insert could break the outer grill shell attachments points.
But valid points to consider, I would hate for a cheap thing to runion a $$ thing. Alwasy an easy way to change the look with out changing any OEM parts.
Needing a O and a D.
Ok so FORD off and light bars in.
Just paint the inserts, or figure out a way to silver brite paint just the edges. Left hand truck has OEM chrome insert and just black painted the inner parts versus argent grey. On the R/H truck, the bumper came black with the push bar welded to it and also black. So easy color scheme to follow with the inserts.
