Grill question

[Trokita101]

Hi guys I was lucky enough that I found a really good grill for my bump at the yard. However, the people at the yard did not know the year of the truck that the grill is coming. I took some pictures of the "new" grill and the original grill from my bump.

[mrollings53]

Your new grill is for a 1970-1972. I'm not sure if the outer shell is the same for each year, but I do know that the inserts are different for each year '70, '71, and '72. NPD lists two different shells for the '70-'72 trucks. One for 1970 alone, and another one for 1971 and 1972. Here is a link to compare each years different grille design. http://www.fordification.com/tech/67-72ID_01.htm
You can easily identify which year you have if you have the inserts that came with the new grille. They are the dead giveaway.

[sargentrs]

There is a very slight difference in the 1970 and the 71-72 grill. While the inserts are interchangeable, there's something different about the mounting tabs on the bottom. I put a set of '72 inserts in my '70 grill. They went right in and the holes lines lined up. However, they appeared to be poking out about 1/2" at the bottom. The top of the insert set flush with the outside edge of the grill shell but the bottom of the insert protruded out about 1/2" past the bottom of the grill shell. Barely noticeable. That may be how they're supposed to be but IDK. The inserts for the '70 sit flush at top and bottom and I believe the inserts, in the correct year grill, sit flush at top and bottom. I can't quite make it out but the number stamped in the second pic appears to start with D0AE which would indicate a 1970 part number. Here's a couple of photos of my '70 grill with the '72 inserts.

[Calfdemon]

The grille you bought and have a picture of is a 70 grille. The easiest way to tell is the 70 only has 4 insert mounting tabs per side. 2 up top and 2 on the bottom. The 71-72 grille has 5 mounting tabs for each insert. 2 up top, 2 on the bottom, and 1 on the outer sides. I only see the upper and lower mounting tabs on the grille you have pictured.

[tbone6]

The grille you bought and have a picture of is a 70 grille. The easiest way to tell is the 70 only has 4 insert mounting tabs per side. 2 up top and 2 on the bottom. The 71-72 grille has 5 mounting tabs for each insert. 2 up top, 2 on the bottom, and 1 on the outer sides. I only see the upper and lower mounting tabs on the grille you have pictured.

Thanks for the lesson on ID'ing the 70 grill. I did not know this little bit of trivia, but I can verify that my grill (original 72) has 6 insert mounts per side.

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[Calfdemon]

Ah, I stand corrected, it is 6 mounting tabs per side (not 5). I was just going off of memory as I also run a 72 grille. I could remember the outer tab, but did not remember the inner tab. Anyway, the 70 only has 4.

[chicof100]

You can't go off the stamping. All 70 71 and 72 grilles are stamped 70. As was pointed out 4 mounting tabs for the 70 and 6 for the 71 and 72. The 71 and 72 will interchange with no problems. The 70 will fit the 71 72 shell but you need to bend the side tabs, (not recommended) this weakens the tabs and will cause them to break. Many have used the 71 72 inserts on 70 shell but they find that they need to shim the insert to get it to sit right. The 71 inserts are very nice looking but.... that chrome center piece is a pain. The chrome strip needs to be removed to get access to the two screws, one on each side. I have found no safe way to remove the chrome strip other than patients. The tabs that hold the chrome strip on, break very easily. This is one reason you see 71 grilles with just one or no strips on. You break the tabs, you can't get the chrome strip back on.

[Trokita101]

Awesome thank you guys this was extremely informative.
I will post some better pictures tomorrow, and pin point some other differences thank you guys.

[PetesPonies]

You cook on a grill, your truck has a grille

[Magoo]

I have a grille question here. When I bought my 72 F100 it didn't have the inserts, which was no problem because I'm planning on custom making one out of perforated metal, but the guy had this one and threw it in on the deal. So I figured to try to sell it but looking at the Identification pics I noticed that the grille I have has the turn signal cut outs at the top. What year is this?

[Calfdemon]

I am not 100% sure on the different styles for the different years, but that is definitely a dentside grille. Off the top of my head I am going to guess that it is a 73 or 74 grille. I think the grilles remained split like that for the early dentside grilles and at some point they went to a full grille with no split in the middle. So definitely an early dentside grille.

[FORDification]

It's a '76-'77 grille.