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Old Feb 9, 2005 | 01:19 AM
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awsomefords
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From: Ridgeley wv
Question Grill Question

Hello everyone,
My question is...will a grill from an erlier 70's truck fit on a 78? Just wondering cause I like the older look.

Thanks -Mike-
 
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Old Feb 9, 2005 | 01:40 AM
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From: Cab of a truck
73-79 Shells are interchangeable. 73-77 Inserts are interchangeable. A 72-earlier grill or a 80-newer grill will not fit.
 
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Old Feb 9, 2005 | 09:53 AM
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But keep in mind that you will probably need to switch headlight buckets as the earlier grills had round headlights and the 78/79's had rectangular headlights. SOME 78's had round headlights but the headlight bucket itself is up too high so you'd still have to reposition it.
 
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Old Feb 9, 2005 | 11:26 AM
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From: Ridgeley wv
Hey Everyone,
Thanks for the help you definitly answered my question.
 
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Old Feb 9, 2005 | 11:40 AM
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From: okc
Originally Posted by ivanribic
SOME 78's had round headlights but the headlight bucket itself is up too high so you'd still have to reposition it.
thats good to know, ive been thinking about putting a 76 grill on my 78, i didnt think that the lights might be positioned differently.......i just assumed they were the same, learn something new everyday..........
 
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Old Feb 9, 2005 | 11:44 AM
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if you look at the 78-79 trucks, the headlight is almost right below the hood. on the early years, therers the turn signal in there too, puts the light probably 4 inches closer to the bumper. well, id guess minimum 2 inches, and a max of four without them side by side to measure.
 
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Old Feb 9, 2005 | 02:08 PM
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I found this out when I lifted my truck. With the later model grill the headlight sit way too high to meet the 54" national limit . . . they're at about 59" right now. When I swap grills they'll be right at 54". So there's a little tip for anyone wanting to get away with more lift legally.
 
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Old Feb 9, 2005 | 02:52 PM
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From: okc
what grill are you going with?? im rather fond of the grill on my 76 F-150(pic in gallery) i think its the best one out of the 73-79 grills, but thats just my opinion..........
 
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Old Feb 9, 2005 | 03:24 PM
  #9  
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I'm constantly collecting parts so I have inserts for the 73-75 and the 76/77's. I'll probably go with the 73-75 style. I think they look evil on a big truck. The grill shell is the same for both and the headlight position is the same so I can change the inserts in a matter of minutes if I want a different style.
 
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Old Feb 9, 2005 | 07:43 PM
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I have a 1974 with a 1979 cab and frone clip and I put in a 1974 grill. One thing you will have to do is make 8 oval adjusting holes to mount the brackets for holding the round headlights. Other than that it should go together. Mine is not complete yet because the truck is a major restoration project. If you find anything else you need to change post it so I know what I will have to do in order to cross that bridge when I get to it.
 
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Old Feb 10, 2005 | 08:56 AM
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I have a 78 with the 79 grill style in it and i was wondering if that was factory with the late 78's or if sombody had changed it before i got it. Thanks, Derek
 
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Old Feb 10, 2005 | 09:27 AM
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Some '78s had round headlights and some had rectangle. The base model 'custom' had round ones while the better equipt 'ranger' and 'xlt' had rectangle.

Marty
 
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