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I bought a new grill shell. One of my inserts was still good, so I only replaced one. Now I have one old and one new, and the colors are very different. I thought that I'd paint them both flat or gloss black and be done with it. I could paint them black around the headlight and silver for the rest, but would have to paint them both since trying to match that existing new paint on the new one would be difficult and if off a bit it would look funky.
Thoughts?
I ended up painting both of mine. One required some patches and paint, then it didn't match the other side. I just used some sort of silver that kind of matched the original.
Somehow I ended up with 4 76-77 inserts. I thought I was getting the correct 73-75 insert, didn't realize until much too late that I had bought the wrong ones.
Anything other than the original colors looks awful I think.
I used SEM trim black for the black and argent silver for the silver. you don't want it too glossy. I can't say it concours correct but it looks right.
Anything other than the original colors looks awful I think.
I used SEM trim black for the black and argent silver for the silver. you don't want it too glossy. I can't say it concours correct but it looks right.
440 sixpack: I just gotta say: That is one FINE looking truck. I applaud.
Way back in the day I just painted mine all black. To match the black bumper and hood stripes. Now if I had a nice chrome bumper on that truck, that awesome looking paint job that 440 did to his would go good with it. Yes that is the worng bumper for that year of truck, but that push bar was welded to the bumper when I found it in a Jy...for 20 bucks.
Last edited by 77&79F250; Mar 14, 2026 at 07:55 AM.
Anything other than the original colors looks awful I think.
I do too. I don't even like the factory black grilles.
Once again 440 sixpack, that's a beautiful truck and the best year for Highboys.
I replaced the passenger side.
I guess I'm not much into detail as everyone else. This one is the original insert.
I never noticed the difference until 10 minutes ago when I stepped out the door and took these pictures.
Now its going to bug me. Thanks.
Last edited by Rubiranch; Mar 14, 2026 at 10:52 AM.
Even DC doesn't paint them properly, as you showed the originals had black on the center section supports. I had to paint them myself.
What is the build date on your '76? I put amber turn signals in because I like the look, but mine came with clear and it's built date was 6-10-76. late '76's could come with amber but I've always wondered if there was a start date or if it was a sloppy changeover.
Still have the original grill inserts with the clear lenses. Truck was built in December of 75. I think the change over to amber was a mid year thing. Early 76 trucks were clear then changed over to amber. Grill shell was replaced with a Ford piece I found locally as the one that was on it had been replaced by my Dad and I could tell it was a repop...it was flimsy thin and bent to H E double hockey stick. And I topped it off with a new bright red XLT emblem on the nose. 😎 Just like it came from the factory.
