Finding 51/52 grill
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Milwaukee, WI
Finding 51/52 grill
I'm looking for a 51 or 52 grill, it's my understanding the two are identical. More precisely, I'm probably looking for two. My intent (get ready to cry all of you 51/52 fans as well as 67-72 fans) is to fabricate this grill into a 69 F100. I like the look of it, and to me would add a rather aggressive and unique look no other truck would have, but I'd like to up that a little by piecing two grills together and spacing the 'teeth' closer together.
So what I'm asking is... Where's a good place to find these? LMC or NPD? Or would I be fairly safe in finding a pair in a boneyard?
Thanks in advance for any help!
So what I'm asking is... Where's a good place to find these? LMC or NPD? Or would I be fairly safe in finding a pair in a boneyard?
Thanks in advance for any help!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,299
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
Nice to see a guy who knows class when he sees it! 
Seriously, they are on eBay all the time, usually pretty pitted, but I sold one about a year ago for $100 or so in pretty cherry condition. I don't think they are repro'd. Be aware, some assembly plants apparently welded the "teeth" on, while others bolted them on. You sometimes see the center ones sold separately, so maybe you can buy one grille and two teeth.
PS -- yes, they're identical
Seriously, they are on eBay all the time, usually pretty pitted, but I sold one about a year ago for $100 or so in pretty cherry condition. I don't think they are repro'd. Be aware, some assembly plants apparently welded the "teeth" on, while others bolted them on. You sometimes see the center ones sold separately, so maybe you can buy one grille and two teeth.
PS -- yes, they're identical
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,299
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
Ilya, is your experience the same as mine as far as the teeth being welded or bolted? All the teeth seem to have bolt hole in them, but my '52's outer two are both spot-welded. The '51 grille I sold was all bolted.
Also, the headlight buckets are unique to 51-52, and aren't being repro'd AFAIK.
Also, the headlight buckets are unique to 51-52, and aren't being repro'd AFAIK.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
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From: San Jose, CA
Originally Posted by ALBUQ F-1
Ilya, is your experience the same as mine as far as the teeth being welded or bolted? All the teeth seem to have bolt hole in them, but my '52's outer two are both spot-welded. The '51 grille I sold was all bolted.
Also, the headlight buckets are unique to 51-52, and aren't being repro'd AFAIK.
Also, the headlight buckets are unique to 51-52, and aren't being repro'd AFAIK.
Ilya
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From: Milwaukee, WI
Oh wow.. on two counts really. I didn't expect such a quick response, nor to see a photo of someone sitting on several grills. I honestly thought the grills were one piece with the light buckets separate... so this makes one mod easier and possibly the removal and finding of different buckets. Really, I probably would still need two, they're definitely narrower than the fat face of the 69. Someone care to share the dimensions of the grill?
One last problem.. I'm just a broke guy who probably won't be doing too much for quite some time. I need to go back to college first. Heh.
Oh well. Thanks for the input, guys.
One last problem.. I'm just a broke guy who probably won't be doing too much for quite some time. I need to go back to college first. Heh.
Oh well. Thanks for the input, guys.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
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From: San Jose, CA
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I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 110
From: Northshore, MN
Originally Posted by 51PanelMan
How many do you need? 
I have another complete 51/52 grille in storage. All are straight with no rust.
Ilya
I have another complete 51/52 grille in storage. All are straight with no rust.
Ilya
Last edited by havi; Jul 18, 2007 at 07:06 PM.
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From: Milwaukee, WI
Haha, I would say so myself.
Again, thanks for info. Now what would remain would be capping the ends in a nice taper if that's what I choose to do. Out of curiousity, what's the thickness of the metal on those? I was going to guess around 18 gauge maybe or would they be around what a typical body panel is?
Again, thanks for info. Now what would remain would be capping the ends in a nice taper if that's what I choose to do. Out of curiousity, what's the thickness of the metal on those? I was going to guess around 18 gauge maybe or would they be around what a typical body panel is?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,299
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From: NM
Originally Posted by phyrekitsune
Haha, I would say so myself.
Again, thanks for info. Now what would remain would be capping the ends in a nice taper if that's what I choose to do. Out of curiousity, what's the thickness of the metal on those? I was going to guess around 18 gauge maybe or would they be around what a typical body panel is?
Again, thanks for info. Now what would remain would be capping the ends in a nice taper if that's what I choose to do. Out of curiousity, what's the thickness of the metal on those? I was going to guess around 18 gauge maybe or would they be around what a typical body panel is?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Milwaukee, WI
Just so long as it isn't the flimsy aluminum of the original grill, I'm pretty happy I suppose. Honestly can't wait to get my hands really into the truck, but again, being broke doesn't help. I need the career first.. cursed young years.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,017
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
Originally Posted by phyrekitsune
Honestly can't wait to get my hands really into the truck, but again, being broke doesn't help. I need the career first.. cursed young years.
I know its tough to play with trucks while you are doing the college thing. Istarted college at 28 years of age with 2 kids and a mortgage. I worked 3 jobs and ate a lot of beans and rice but I still occasionally messed wth my truck. Trust me, you''ll need the diversion.
Good luck with adapting the early grill to the 69. I'd love to see how it comes out
Bobby
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From: Milwaukee, WI
Oh, I don't mind being young, sometimes the time still passes too quickly. It's the fact of being without the money to do the work.
This I can at least see as one of the cheaper mods.
This I can at least see as one of the cheaper mods.