52 Grille installation ??
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New User
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: West Haven CT
52 Grille installation ??
I'll soon be ready to install the grille in my 52 F1. It's freshly painted & I'd rather not scratch it up trying to put it in. Should I install it with the teeth on it or should I put the teeth on after?? Is it possible to get the teeth on after?
Thanks guys.
Billy
Thanks guys.
Billy
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
My 52's two outer teeth are welded on. They have holes for bolts but were apparently welded on at the factory. I have always wondered about that. So I had to put mine on with those in place, which is do-able. They would be a little tough to put on later, I think. The center one is a snap to do with the grille in place and really has to go on later due to the brace to the same bolt at the top of the tooth.
I put masking tape around the holes in the valance to prevent scratching, was "pretty" successful... I was working alone, unfortunately... If your fenders are on, you'll definitely need two people or more to get it all bolted up! My fenders were off, just the panels behind the headlights were on, made it much easier.
I put masking tape around the holes in the valance to prevent scratching, was "pretty" successful... I was working alone, unfortunately... If your fenders are on, you'll definitely need two people or more to get it all bolted up! My fenders were off, just the panels behind the headlights were on, made it much easier.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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I'll ask you two questions first. Do you have a steady handed patient helper? Do you have touch up paint for grilll? As I remember we had to take the entire grill assembly together and pitch teeth in first and then "roll" assembly to center up grill bolt holes. Hopefully you checked each tooth to see they will slide into valence before everything was painted,this portion was VERY important. Once it starts in, ease the the teeth into valence so the valence bolts line up with teeth bolts and don't pull it up or the paint will get damage. Once this is done your close to being home free and bolting everything. Check your parking light frames for being between bottom of head lights and valence. Hopefully it goes in clean, it did for me. Go slow and good luck
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Minneapolis
I recently repainted my front sheet metal, including the grille in a Ford truck color called Wimbledon White. I worked alone and installed the grille as a complete assembly with all three teeth. I put celophane on the front edge of all three holes in the valence. I did it as dylan described, rolling it into place. No scratches. There is a close-up photo in my gallery.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Minneapolis
They are bolted on. I had them painted separtately from the horizontal bar and then bolted them on. There are holes in the bottom of each tooth on one side, which appear to be for fastening the teeth to the lower valence. I did not fasten the teeth to the lower valence.
When I first started working on the grille, I was surprised to learn that each tooth is a different shape; center, passenger's side, driver's side. I would have thought Ford would have made them all the same part, but it looks good the way they did it. The 51/52 is my favorite F-series truck, due mainly to the grille.
When I first started working on the grille, I was surprised to learn that each tooth is a different shape; center, passenger's side, driver's side. I would have thought Ford would have made them all the same part, but it looks good the way they did it. The 51/52 is my favorite F-series truck, due mainly to the grille.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Augusta, ME
Taping the valance is a must to prevent scratching, and if your grill is gloss paint it would be even better to put a good coat of wax on it and buff it some. That will help it slide into place easier too while protecting the paint some. It's best to have two people to do it, it can get kinda hairy holding it up in place and trying to run those bolts through from the back of the air deflectors.
Scott
Scott
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Fleet Owner
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From: NM
Originally Posted by SteV8e
The 51/52 is my favorite F-series truck, due mainly to the grille.
Have you ever seen where people add two more teeth to them?
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Originally Posted by CWR
I am in the process of stripping and painting my grill as well. my teth were bolted together. any ideas on where to get new light assembly. mine work but are very rusty.
CWR82
'52 f2
CWR82
'52 f2
You can get them from LMC for $37 each paint, clear lens or $45 Stainless. 1-800-562-8782.
I have an extra set in pretty fair shape if you can't work something out let me know.
fifty2f1
george