76-77 vs 78-79 Grill Mounting Differences?
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From: Williamson, NY
76-77 vs 78-79 Grill Mounting Differences?
When I purchased my 77 F150 a couple years ago it had 78-79 grill surround, grill, hood, and light buckets on it. I found some evidence that this truck was in an accident at one time and they put the 78-79 front end parts on it when they repaired it at the time. I want to change it back to the 77 front end parts and so far I have obtained the grill surround, grills, and I am in the process of getting the headlight buckets. Is there any other parts I need for this conversion? I will be removing the Ford hood letters and welding in the holes. I also purchased a used radiator support to replace my rusted out one, but I've heard that there may also be differences in the radiator supports as well. Does anyone know what the radiator support differences might be or how to tell what year this came from? Thanks.
Laughing Gas
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From: hohenwald, tn
i checked a parts catalog and the supports are the same 73 to 79 except for if the radiator is front or rear flange mount. mine in my truck has mounting points both ways. i had a front flange mount and switched radiators out of my parts truck which was rear mount. as far as i know the grilles are easy to swap out. i tried to check the factory manual but i can't find the listing.
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From: Williamson, NY
The difference in the radiator supports that I kind of remember reading about was in the area of the head light bucket mounting area. I know the head light buckets are different for the 76-77 vs the 78-79, but I do not know if the buckets mount different.
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Hello. Im doing the exact oppisite with my 77 f150. I bought a 78-79 grill insert from a friend so I can change it over. He told me that I would have to drill some holes into the support to change over. I havn't check it out yet, waiting till I put on my new fenders.
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Just did this changeover. The only diff in the radiator support are the lower mounting holes for the headlight buckets. It's an easy fix but be sure you drill in the right spot otherwise they won't fit into the surround bezel. Radiator mounts the same. Hope that helps.
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From: Williamson, NY
Originally Posted by robindanner
Just did this changeover. The only diff in the radiator support are the lower mounting holes for the headlight buckets. It's an easy fix but be sure you drill in the right spot otherwise they won't fit into the surround bezel. Radiator mounts the same. Hope that helps.
1eyedJack, I do know the headlight buckets are differnt as well, so you may want to make sure you get a set before you start this project. Good luck!
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Eldorado Ca. USA
I have been told that back in the 80's, it was cheaper to upgrade to the 78-79 than it was to go with the original. You might be able to trade somebody for the sheet metal you want.
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