grill problem
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grill problem
I went to put the grill on my 75 f250 and it does not fit. The area where the parking lights are run into the headlights. It looks like the parking lights should go where they are on the 78 and 79 models. Has anyone else had this problem? Was the previos owner a screw up and maybe put the wrong from clip on after an accident or something?
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Senior User
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I can try to take some but it will be a pain to hold the grill up there and take the photos since it won't stay. THe best way to descibe it is that when I go to put the shell on the top part of the shell covers the top 1/3 of the headlights. there is no gap where the parking lights should fit for the 75 grill shell the headlights are almost at the top, but there is a large gap on the bottom of the headlights that looks like where the parking lights should be on the 78-79 grill shells. does that make sense? I know they both fit on the trucks so I know I need a 78-79 grill but I can see why it is on a 1975 truck.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Big Sky Country
I'm not quite sure i'm following what's going on here, from your description it sounds like you need the 73-77 grille not the 78-79 grille.
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From: Jackson,Tn
can u have someone else to hold it up so u can take a pic or tha other way around
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Western N.C.
I'll make this simple.
1. Does your truck have round or square headlights? If it has round headlights, then you need a '73-'77 grill shell like mine. If it has square headlights, then you need a '78-'79 grill shell like 75F350's.
2. If you have round headlights and a grill for square headlights, this obviously will not work, and vice versa.
3. Should you have round headlights and a '73-'77 grill shell and the shell does not fit, the radiator support has probably been replaced with an incorrect '78-'79 as Bullitt and Bigun said, and vice versa.
If you have all the right stuff and it still does not quite fit over the headlights, try dropping the lights down by loosening the four bolts behind each. I had to finagle mine a bit when I put my front end back together, but nevertheless it was just a matter of fine tuning, not incorrect parts.
The shell you have now- was it installed when you got the truck? I'll assume it wasn't.
1. Does your truck have round or square headlights? If it has round headlights, then you need a '73-'77 grill shell like mine. If it has square headlights, then you need a '78-'79 grill shell like 75F350's.
2. If you have round headlights and a grill for square headlights, this obviously will not work, and vice versa.
3. Should you have round headlights and a '73-'77 grill shell and the shell does not fit, the radiator support has probably been replaced with an incorrect '78-'79 as Bullitt and Bigun said, and vice versa.
If you have all the right stuff and it still does not quite fit over the headlights, try dropping the lights down by loosening the four bolts behind each. I had to finagle mine a bit when I put my front end back together, but nevertheless it was just a matter of fine tuning, not incorrect parts.
The shell you have now- was it installed when you got the truck? I'll assume it wasn't.
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Post Fiend
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From: Big Sky Country
Some '78's had round headlights.
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here is the truck I have. it has the round headlights but they seem way too high for the 73-77 grill, by a few inches at least. I will try and get someone to help me take pictures with the grill up there tomorrow. The headlights are new and it didn't have a grill shell when I bought it. It's all from the previous owner.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...w-project.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...w-project.html
Post Fiend
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OK, yeah, you have a problem. You have 78 "custom" trim level buckets on your truck. Notice how high the headlights are in relation to the "dent" when compared to the correct location here:
and here:
Now notice a rectangular headlight heigth, and you will see that you need a different grille shell, or some early headlight buckets.
The location of these rectangular ones are about the same as your round ones.
Yes, Im stuck, hey it happens......
and here:
Now notice a rectangular headlight heigth, and you will see that you need a different grille shell, or some early headlight buckets.
The location of these rectangular ones are about the same as your round ones.
Yes, Im stuck, hey it happens......
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
1973/79 F100/350: There are two different radiator core supports.
One for round headlamps (D3TZ16138B-1973/79), one for rectangular headlights (D8TZ16138A-1978/79).
What's the difference?
With rectangiular headlights, the core support is dished inwards behind the buckets to allow the seal beams to fit correctly.
The round seal beams are not as deep as the rectangular seal beams.
The grille shell used 1978/79 is the same with/without round headlamps. The difference is the headlight buckets, sealed beams and headlamp doors.
Either type will fit.
To install a 1978/79 grille into a 1973/77 requires the right & left grille brackets used on 1978/79's only.
One for round headlamps (D3TZ16138B-1973/79), one for rectangular headlights (D8TZ16138A-1978/79).
What's the difference?
With rectangiular headlights, the core support is dished inwards behind the buckets to allow the seal beams to fit correctly.
The round seal beams are not as deep as the rectangular seal beams.
The grille shell used 1978/79 is the same with/without round headlamps. The difference is the headlight buckets, sealed beams and headlamp doors.
Either type will fit.
To install a 1978/79 grille into a 1973/77 requires the right & left grille brackets used on 1978/79's only.
