Should I keep this grille or swap it?

[mrtleavitt]

I'm getting tired of working on my current project (my '67 Mustang) and thought I'd give the truck a little attention. I have a very clean '69 grille that I think would look great if I chromed it and put it on the truck. I could swap the grilled back and forth as I pleased. I wanted others' opinions if I should pay to get it chromed and try it or if you like the '72 look and I should just keep it how it is. Tell me what you think and vote!

My truck:



Painted '69 grille that I want to chrome:


Other '68 and '69 grilles that I like:


Fellow Fordification member Filthy67

[chicof100]

All these grilles are nice, Having a 72 grille does have it's draw backs if wanting to switch to 67-69 grilles. For instants, switching to a 67-69 grille would mean having to remove turn signal housings from lower valance to make the swap. After doing this and installing a 67-69 grille you'll notice that the spacing on the lower valance is off. Where the turn signal housings were is larger than where the 67-69 grilles sit. Now you'd want to switch out the lower valance for proper fit. After looking at your truck, I'd be willing to bet you would notice this space and it would eat at you until you swapped it.
Or you can continue to use the 72 grille you have and remove the inserts and paint those to match your truck, or just add some subtle blue pinstripe on them. Least expensive of the two.
You have a very nice looking truck. I'm sure the ideas will flow on how to re-invent the wheel once you get to looking at it.
The 69 grilles look awesome when they're chromed but I would think the 67 steel grille chromed is the best looking chrome grille. Just ideas I'm throwing at you. I'm sure you'll come up with something. Good luck Keep us posted.

[basketcase0302]

My goodness that 69' grille is pathetic looking! I'll send you my shipping address so you won't have to worry about it anymore!
I've always like the 67-69 grilles better, but your truck will shine either way.

[flyboy2610]

I would keep the grille you have on it now.

[cep62]

Buy another truck to put the grille on , then you can have it both ways.

[papabug71]

So what year is your truck? At least the body? '69? All this time I thought it was a real '72 but then I noticed the lack of side marker lights on the bed !

Try to stick with the year of the body & build from there. I mean, when people look at your truck, what year are they looking at? Not a '74 frame, but a '69 body.

If your truck is a real life '69 model, go with the '69 grille. That grille is nice & clean. I bet it would look killer chromed out.

[jimmy828]

So what year is your truck? At least the body? '69? All this time I thought it was a real '72 but then I noticed the lack of side marker lights on the bed !

Try to stick with the year of the body & build from there. I mean, when people look at your truck, what year are they looking at? Not a '74 frame, but a '69 body.

If your truck is a real life '69 model, go with the '69 grille. That grille is nice & clean. I bet it would look killer chromed out.

i agree with this statement

[mrtleavitt]

What year is it? Well here it goes. Yup the bed is a '69. Cab '72. Engine '66. Transmission '85. Hood, fenders...who knows. Front suspension '75. Grille '72. Frame '74.

[Whateverman]

my 69's currently running a 70 grille cuz i got bored with the chrome 67 one i was running before...and the 67-69 apron or "stoneguard" i had was pretty hacked (tweaked ,dented ,rusted and ripped) ...i might change it back,but not until i get bored with the 70 grille and find another decent 67-69 apron
it doesn't look like the grille shell is bashed up much so i'd keep the 72 grille but swap out the inserts to 70 ones ( i think they look better than the 71 or 72 inserts)
it'd probably be cheaper to get a decent chrome 69 grille than to get your steel one chromed

[basketcase0302]

sorry couldn't resist.

mrtleavitt on Sat Dec 17, 2011 8:55 pm
What year is it? Well here it goes. Yup the bed is a '69. Cab '72. Engine '66. Transmission '85. Hood, fenders...who knows. Front suspension '75. Grille '72. Frame '74.

Another song first came to mind that has the lyrics of "56/57 automobile.
I thought it was a Johnny Cash tune-but couldn't find it.
Based on the above description, via Jerry Reed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXQf0JG8Uj8

[70_F100]

I think this is the one you're talking about, Jeff:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ynSm1Ng ... re=related

I knew they actually put one together, because I saw the car at the Johnny Cash Museum in Nashville several years ago . It's the black one in the video. Apparently they made two, because there's a picture of a multi-color convertible in the video.

[flyboy2610]

I think this is the one you're talking about, Jeff:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ynSm1Ng ... re=related

I knew they actually put one together, because I saw the car at the Johnny Cash Museum in Nashville several years ago . It's the black one in the video. Apparently they made two, because there's a picture of a multi-color convertible in the video.

The black one has headlight's that're another sight, two on the left and one on the right. The convertibles got it backwards.
But, like Johnny's Cadillac, when I pull out my cargo light switch, all three of 'em come on. The cargo light and the two white lights in my rear bumper.

[elgemcdlf]

Not so sure on chroming it but what about painting it to match your body? Only reason I say not sure on chroming is I read somewhere that chroming one was something like $700.

[PhantomoftheBumpside]

Hey, it's pretty much a '69 clone already... I say go with the '69 grill, but powder coat it.

[MadMatt]

The 69 grill would look better painted body color. Speaking of beds i did have a late build 69 ranger that had the marker lights and the 4 peice chrome headliner retainer trim.