47-53 grill differences?
 

I've got three grills (47-53), one of which is nice and straight, and the other 2 are beat up pretty good. the 2 beat up ones line up to the holes on my fenders and bolt right up. On the nice grill the top holes line up, then the middle and bottom hole are about 2 inches lower than the holes in the fenders. I know I can drill it out just wondering what there different for. is one GMC, and one CHEVY?

Re: 47-53 grill differences?
 

Is it possible your nice grill is the one for the larger trucks - 1.5 ton and above? They were different than the grill for the smaller trucks.

Re: 47-53 grill differences?
 

It all looks the same to me, but the bolts are spaced farther apart. I'm hoping someone has some experience. I'll post a few pics when I get home.

Re: 47-53 grill differences?
 

I would agree that one might be for the big trucks. If one is a repop then they don't always line up perfect.

GMC and Chevy grills are totally different
https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/i...burcEg1BsGLG-w

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/i...1OT43jHh51SM6F

Re: 47-53 grill differences?
 

Ok, I guess I can rule out the gmc. If it's a 1 ton I would think the whole grill would be larger.

Re: 47-53 grill differences?
 

I have heard the 1 1/2 and up are larger but the COE in fact is the same size except for the mounting and the lower back piece. Sorry I can not measure mine yet. 7 days baby, 7 days.
Rob

Re: 47-53 grill differences?
 

I measured the nice grill and the holes are 7 1/2" apart.

Re: 47-53 grill differences?
 

The actual bars are supposed to be the same but spaced further apart on the 1-1/2 tons and up.

Up though 1 ton with the smooth pickup style bumper should be the same. The 1-1/2 ton and up grill shells are taller and the bars spaced further apart.

Re: 47-53 grill differences?
 

Here's a pic of the grill in question. I'll get a side by side comparison pic as soon as I get home.

Re: 47-53 grill differences?
 

I measured the grill tonight, there's and inch more gap between the slats from one grill to the other. I guess it may be from a 1 ton truck.

Re: 47-53 grill differences?
 

For comparison here is mine on the '47COE. To me the grill looks the same. I'm not sure about the standard cab larger trucks. Of course the fender and hood are different and a little taller
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...E/DSCI0322.jpg
Rob

Re: 47-53 grill differences?
 

Ok I'm still not sure what this grill I have is out of but after doing some looking, I like the no front bumper look. Now with my current grill, it goes down lower than the 1/2 ton does eliminating the need for the filler panel between the fenders. Here's a pic of what I'm talking about compared to mine. If you like the no bumper look this may be a nice find.

Re: 47-53 grill differences?
 

And a pic of my grill.

Re: 47-53 grill differences?
 

Yep, you've got the big truck grill.

Something interesting I've always wanted to try or see done. I've heard you can take the bigger "bars" out of the big truck grill and they will still mount up to the frame from the small truck grill, giving you the same overall dimensions, but less space between the bars. Always wondered what that would look like.

Re: 47-53 grill differences?
 

So, what's the final word here on the grills? I need to replace my 49 Chevy COE grill. Will the standard 1/2 ton grill work on my COE?

Re: 47-53 grill differences?
 

If you look at the last date posted above yours this was an eight year dead thread before you found it.

I've never had any dealings with COE cabs or parts that go on them as they are rare in this area to begin with.

My guess is that the side frames may be different but the bars should be the same.

Each bar in the grill will only go in it's specific spot in the stack up and down and they will not interchange. They get progressively wider as they go down and if if you need the middle bar only a middle bar will fit in that spot.

I found that out in 1973 when I assembled a chrome grill for my 48 out of pieces of three or four grills. The old boys running the little back road wrecking yards in central Texas were pretty good to me on that as they sold me grills with one or two good bars that I needed real cheap.

I can measure the width and height of the big truck grill that I have out, I need to go around and get it and bring it around for my daughter's truck anyhow. She wants to build the 1-1/2 ton flatbed I have and the grill out back is pretty nice in comparison to the one in the truck.

Re: 47-53 grill differences?
 

Thanks. I'll take the measurement. One of the parts companies I buy from just told me they are not interchangeable but we all know that's the easy answer. The bars are the same I can reuse my mounting bracket from the old grill. Thanks again. Rick

Re: 47-53 grill differences?
 

The top and bars obviously can only go in one place. The middle 3 bars each have to go in their particular position.

They have notches on the back along with the back panel having matching notches to show which position they go in in the stack.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albu...720&fit=bounds

Understand. What I need to know if the bars, in order, are interchangeable between the truck and COE? Thanks
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Re: 47-53 grill differences?
 

I believe they will.

The side plates on the 4000 grill I have here are about 17-1/2 inches tall.

From the bottom front of the bottom bar to the bottom of the fourth bar up the 4000 measures Close to 12-1/2 this grill is pretty rough so that is why the close part.

From the bottom of the bottom bar to the bottom of the fourth bar up the 3000 grill measures right at 10-3/4 and that again is a plus/minus measurement with the grill I have.

Width of the bars is the same on each bar down the stack but I didn't measure them this time.

So, if I’m understanding you correctly, I should be able to use my brackets and replace bars with those from a 3000 series truck? If so, great news.
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Re: 47-53 grill differences?
 

3000 or 4000 truck should both work. I'm not so sure about the top bar above the park lights.

So, would I be safe to buy a need grill and then use my COE backing plates to put it?
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Re: 47-53 grill differences?
 

The 1/2 ton grille will not fit in a COE . Totally different . I have a Genuine COE Grill if interested . Send a pm if interested .