Grille Differences

[bucket]

Gotcha! Thanks for all the great info! So you think by getting those parts off ebay id be able to do the swap?

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You can find every last part for the swap online, but it will get pricey and might take some time to find everything. Personally, I'd find what I could at the junkyard and buy the rest online. Whether it be new or used.

The '83-'84 grilles looked similar. The center bar was narrower and there were more horizontal slats.

 

[RoryH19]

Good thread on the grill differences.
The custom deluxe also has the same 2 large headlights with turns underneath.
I have to agree with the salvage yard strategy.
There are so many little pieces that can be missed with these swaps.
Grill, bezel, and radiator supports are the big items.
You will also need light buckets, retainer springs, harness, turn signal housing, the chrome/SS trim that goes around the entire setup...
Also when removing from the donor truck it will give you an idea on how to install on yours.
Hope this helps.

 

[deve05]

Good thread on the grill differences.
The custom deluxe also has the same 2 large headlights with turns underneath.
I have to agree with the salvage yard strategy.
There are so many little pieces that can be missed with these swaps.
Grill, bezel, and radiator supports are the big items.
You will also need light buckets, retainer springs, harness, turn signal housing, the chrome/SS trim that goes around the entire setup...
Also when removing from the donor truck it will give you an idea on how to install on yours.
Hope this helps.

I wish I could find a junkyard with squares in it. For more than one reason lol but all the junk yards ive been to don't seem to have any pre 90's cars at all. I wish I could find a junkyard with donor trucks in it...

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[B.K. Cunningham]

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[75gmck25]

Based on the pictures in the last post, and the drawings in the LMC truck catalog, I think you have two trucks with the 83-84 grills. The grills were available with either dual or single headlights. I assume the dual headlight version is the one where they had to move the park lights inside the grill area.

LMC sells the dual headlight grills and the park lights, but after looking at the catalog drawings I'm not sure whether you need any additional bracket to mount the lights on the back of the grill.

Bruce

 

[bucket]

Based on the pictures in the last post, and the drawings in the LMC truck catalog, I think you have two trucks with the 83-84 grills. The grills were available with either dual or single headlights. I assume the dual headlight version is the one where they had to move the park lights inside the grill area.

LMC sells the dual headlight grills and the park lights, but after looking at the catalog drawings I'm not sure whether you need any additional bracket to mount the lights on the back of the grill.

Bruce

I 100% guarantee that the blue trucks posted in this thread have '85-'88 style grilles in them. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.

 

[75gmck25]

I took a look again (while counting grill openings on my fingers), and you are right, both those '84 trucks have '85 and up grills. If the '84 and '85 have the same mounting brackets you may be able to use either grill.

I ended up using about a '79 junkyard grill on my '75, since nobody seems to reproduce the actual '75 grill, especially with a GMC logo. However, then I had to go back to the junkyard to get the brackets since the holes in the newer grill didn't match up with the brackets on my truck.

Bruce

 

[bucket]

I took a look again (while counting grill openings on my fingers), and you are right, both those '84 trucks have '85 and up grills. If the '84 and '85 have the same mounting brackets you may be able to use either grill.

I ended up using about a '79 junkyard grill on my '75, since nobody seems to reproduce the actual '75 grill, especially with a GMC logo. However, then I had to go back to the junkyard to get the brackets since the holes in the newer grill didn't match up with the brackets on my truck.

Bruce

Yes, the '81-'88 grilles swap around pretty easy. You can also use the deluxe grille with the standard 2-headlight setup. And Chevy Van grilles of the same years are also the same and interchangeable. They just need new screw holes across the top to work, which is very simple to do.

Do you by chance still have those '75 GMC grille brackets?

 

[75gmck25]

I still have the '75 grill brackets; however I also still have the hope that someday I will find real '75 GMC grill. I ran across one NOS '75 GMC grill at a Carlisle show several years ago and didn't jump on the deal and buy it. I've been kicking myself ever since.

Bruce

 

[Honky Kong jr]

I still have the '75 grill brackets; however I also still have the hope that someday I will find real '75 GMC grill. I ran across one NOS '75 GMC grill at a Carlisle show several years ago and didn't jump on the deal and buy it. I've been kicking myself ever since.

Bruce

Hmmmm there’s an idea for a get together.......

 

[Blazin890]

I wish I could find a junkyard with donor trucks in it...

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French Lake Auto Salvage, Annandale, MN.

 

[BiggG74]

I know this is a late response on this topic. But if you have an Instagram account go to C-10 swapper and you might be able to find your grill and parts I follow them myself and have bought headlight trim from there.


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