Grill Shells
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,037
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From: Kasson, Minnesota
Grill Shells
I see Dennis Carpenter finally is producing both the 73-77 and 78-79 grill shells. WOW they are expensive. Also BOTP has them and they are the same price. Just out of curiosity, why are these things so expensive? I could see BOTP being expensive if the parts are NOS, but Dennis Carpenter is producing them. It's crazy that I could buy a genuine ford hood for 325.00 and a chrome grill shell is 500.00. Of course the hood is going to have at least 100 bucks in shipping, but in the end the grill is going to be more expensive.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2005
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I didn't buy one from NPD, but I did get cheap and buy one from LMC and I wasn't real impressed, I thought the fit and finish were not too hot. When I have the money I think I'll spend it and go to Dennis Carpenter, all the parts I have gotten there have been top notch. Just my two cents.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Western Kentucky
You may want to take a look at this site.
http://www.cal-mustang.com/showdetl-7-6099-21-0.html.
I know they are not a supporter, but hey, $300 is $300.
I don't know about the quality, never have bought anything yet. I have been thinking about this one though.
I buy most of my parts through Bronco Graveyard, a sponsor, but they didn't have a shell.
http://www.cal-mustang.com/showdetl-7-6099-21-0.html.
I know they are not a supporter, but hey, $300 is $300.
I don't know about the quality, never have bought anything yet. I have been thinking about this one though.
I buy most of my parts through Bronco Graveyard, a sponsor, but they didn't have a shell.
Last edited by Slag-hammer; Oct 24, 2006 at 11:40 PM.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 843
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From: USA
If the shell costs less then what Carpenter is asking then it's a repop. I've had one on my 77 for years and years and from a distance it's OK. I have to remember not to lean on it when ever I'm under the hood, it bends. The fit has never been quite right and the polish was never as nice. You get what you pay for. Every now and then I see a Carpenter unit on Ebay which he is selling due to minor flaws.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Gadsden Purchase
Originally Posted by garypettengill
If the shell costs less then what Carpenter is asking then it's a repop. I've had one on my 77 for years and years and from a distance it's OK. I have to remember not to lean on it when ever I'm under the hood, it bends. The fit has never been quite right and the polish was never as nice. You get what you pay for. Every now and then I see a Carpenter unit on Ebay which he is selling due to minor flaws.
I got a chinese one too and yeah it's soft as anything. A gal with no brakes;) ran into me and the Ford parts department told me my pickup was obsolete. :/
Thought about getting one of those "pissy guys" and under the stream put "ford parts division". ;)
I'm going to ask about "seconds" or something since the outside isn't all that important to me, but I want quality parts on my pickup tho, scratched or not.
I also need a left side fender.
And a bumper or a chrome shop to fix my old one? What do you think?
I have an extra hood and left door I picked up at the scrap yard I sould sell or just give away?
Alvin in AZ
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Joined: Sep 2006
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I would recommend spending the extra $. I bought a cheep one becasue that was all that i could find at the time. I hate it the fit is very bad. I spent a lot of money fixing up my truck and now i have to spend more to replace some of the cheep parts i bought. I know now which company to order from and which ones not to. Spending a little more now will save having to replace a cheep part later IMO
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Kasson, Minnesota
I agree with many of the posts. You definately get what you pay for. Sometimes you don't have a choice and have to buy aftermarket parts, but when it comes to body parts, buy OEM if you want a quality part. When it comes to trucks, too bad no one is still producing OEM bed parts. Back to the grill shell, I have looked at many salvage trucks and even just trucks still on the road and it's funny how parts like the fenders or hood can be in great shape, but the grill shells are all scuffed up, dented, cracked, etc. It's tough to find a exceptional one for restoration. Bottom line is: I'm just going to have to buy a 500 dollar grill. The only gut ache i have about that is, I spent 1000 bucks on two OEM brand new doors and both fenders, and just the shell is half that. But on the other hand, what is 500 bucks when you add it in too over 15K I'll probably have in the truck.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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I do the same thing when thinking about how much for some parts but if you think about it like this it hurts less. I spend $500+ on tires all the time where as the grill would last much longer & be a much better long term investment.
John
John
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 386
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From: usa
Sure it can be polished out but you have to strip it first. It has a clear anodized coating on it. Then it can be polished up but you will have to keep after it from time to time or it will get dull again.