Aftermarket grille shells
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More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Spring Hill, TN
Aftermarket grille shells
Looking for a nice new grille shell for my 78 .NOS is a little pricey and hard to find . I've heard some bad thing s about LMC's and even Dennis Carpenters. Has anyone bought one from Mr.Taillight ? I saw them looking though ebays ads. $189.00 plus shipping. Anyone have a good source ? Thanks
Postmaster
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From: Honkytonkville
Do not buy from Mr taillight his stuff is garbage. His shop is up in my county seat. I have been in there and most of what he sells is low quality aftermarket or used OEM. I do not recommend his parts. I think bronco graveyard sells stuff like that...i've heard nothing but good about their products.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
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From: Kingsport, TN
A few years ago, I replaced my body work ( below the hood ) from JC Whitney. Whatever way you go, I'd give the parts a light sanding/undercoating BEFORE install and then a good undercoating after install. The metal seemed a bit thinner but the fit was a simple bolt-on.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Kasson, Minnesota
Anything not built by Original Ford Tooling has a high potential of not fitting right. And with the grill shells, the aluminum may not shine like you would want or have some defects. Aftermarket body parts are getting better, but they are still aftermarket. You get cheap parts. For a daily driver and looks may not be extremely important than go for aftermarket. If not, than get OEM.
$500 is alot for a grill. Hard to find ones in salvage yards in excellent condition, but may find ones in good to very good condition for a fraction of the cost.
I have not bought one yet from any of the sponser sites or Dennis Carpenter. At least those companies claim to state the grills are made from Original Ford Tooling. So that's as close to NOS as you get, just a bit expensive.
$500 is alot for a grill. Hard to find ones in salvage yards in excellent condition, but may find ones in good to very good condition for a fraction of the cost.
I have not bought one yet from any of the sponser sites or Dennis Carpenter. At least those companies claim to state the grills are made from Original Ford Tooling. So that's as close to NOS as you get, just a bit expensive.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
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From: St George, SC I-95
I bought a grill shell from LMC before reading all the bad reviews on them for my 79 F150 frame up resto. Once it was time to install the grill shell I procrastinated over a week before trying it because I knew it would be trouble based on what Ive read. To my suprise it bolted up fine and lines up perfect with my body lines. The only problem I had was I needed to elongate one of the slots. No big deal. Ill post pics if you are interested. LMC wanted about $200 at the time (June/July 2005). Im not sure what they get now.
New User
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I just bought a grill shell from Dennis Carpenter, and so far I'm pleased with the fit. I'm currently in the process of final adjustments because I also replaced my fenders and the metal inner portion (not sure what the proper name is). So, the grill is pricey, but good quality.
Along with this project, I've found that alot of the plastic inserts from the old grill shell are to brittle to reuse. They are the ones that push into the square holes which are used to screw in the grill inserts and a few other things (at leaast on 77s). Does any one have any idea where you can get these inserts new? I'd like to avoid the salvage yard, as the inserts in those trucks are likely to be in the same condition as mine are.
Along with this project, I've found that alot of the plastic inserts from the old grill shell are to brittle to reuse. They are the ones that push into the square holes which are used to screw in the grill inserts and a few other things (at leaast on 77s). Does any one have any idea where you can get these inserts new? I'd like to avoid the salvage yard, as the inserts in those trucks are likely to be in the same condition as mine are.
New User
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You can get them at any local parts house that has a Pico or a HELP blister pack parts section. or auto body parts place as they are a common item
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77-400-4X4 Welcome To FTE
This is considered a hardware item from Ford, and dealers rarely throw away hardware. You might find these at the dealers. Two sizes were used.
384997-S Retainer Nut
383356-S Retainer Nut
This is considered a hardware item from Ford, and dealers rarely throw away hardware. You might find these at the dealers. Two sizes were used.
384997-S Retainer Nut
383356-S Retainer Nut
Last edited by NumberDummy; Feb 18, 2007 at 02:02 PM.
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ive bought a grill from mr taillight, and its a no go. dont waste your time buying one from them, it comes pre bent, scratched and youll have to refit it to make it work. Ive bought there taillight markerlight 6pc kit and that was cool for the price and it fit right on the money. Also when i bought the grill shell from mr taillight i bought the chrome grill kit and that came out pretty good, but it take almost a month befor you get anything and there hard to get ahold of. So NOOO, do not buy a grill shell from them...
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
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Well I debated for weeks about getting a D.C., a LMC or aftermarket grille shell. I just couldn't see shelling out $600+ at this time for the D.C. grille. I went with the JC Whitney(Taiwan) shell. I got it for $202 shipped. This was the cheapest I could find. Does it bend easier-yes. Does it shine like the OEM grille-No. Will it win any awards-No. Does it work for me-Yup. Here are some pics.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
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LMC does sell a chomed version. Not sure if it's from original tooling.
