1968 GMC Grill Removal
 

Question for the group. I am trying to remove the grill from my '68 GMC. All of the bolts have been removed and the bottom is free. However, the top does not want to come out. It looks like the top may be held in by some type of pins? I have attached a picture showing one of them. Are these holding the top of the grill in place and if so, how do you remove them? Thanks...

Re: 1968 GMC Grill Removal
 

If it's a rivet, you'll want to drill a hole square in the center thru about the depth of the head, then tap a punch the same diameter of the drill into the hole to set it. Then tap the punch sideways to pop off the head.
Or you could try to grind off the head with an angle grinder, but if you lose control, you'll cut up the surrounding metal.

However, I've never had to remove a GMC grille, so it may be possible to pull the grille off w/out going that far...

Re: 1968 GMC Grill Removal
 

The truck is original so whatever they are, they are factory. They don't really look like rivets. The heads are flat. There are about 8 of them across the top of the grill from the underside.

Re: 1968 GMC Grill Removal
 

The whole grille and top bar come out as one. Are you wanting to separate those two parts? Is the top bar unbolted from the fenders?

Re: 1968 GMC Grill Removal
 

Those are factory rivets, my 68 c10 had the same fasteners. Unless you have some body work to do on the grille or the inserts they don’t need to come apart. Otherwise The inserts could be taped for painting or the grill could be taped for painting.

Re: 1968 GMC Grill Removal
 

They are rivets. You haven't had a chance to answer if you are separating the two parts of the grille or removing the grille from the truck, which is what I assumed by "grille removal". I just grabbed a picture of my '67 grille assembly that is standing free from fenders as removed, still bolted to the core support. Maybe you meant top bar removal

Re: 1968 GMC Grill Removal
 

The bolts that attach the top bar to the fenders have been removed on both sides. Pic attached of the top bar meeting the fender. Maybe I just need to tap with a rubber mallet to break loose?

Re: 1968 GMC Grill Removal
 

You will want to drill the part of the rivet that is peened over, trying to drill the head will only cause the drill bit to walk unless you can center punch it, I drilled mine out and put bolts in.


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...4648b5ef_c.jpg1679488929012442271451290108648 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/97391199@N06

My grille is repop and there was no EDM coating behind it, so I'm glad I took it apart

Take your hood bumper off, their are bolts that hold the grill to the fenders

Re: 1968 GMC Grill Removal
 

This is the location of the rivets some holes are for mounting clips for the grille surround

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...9578f98f_c.jpg20200302_070417 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/97391199@N06

To gain access to the grille bolts, you should remove headlight surround, behind the bumper are a couple more

In Special Ks pic, you can see what the top of the grille mount looks like, also the. Bottom mount is similar with 2 bolts I believe

Re: 1968 GMC Grill Removal
 

Did you remove 2 bolts from the top bar on each side? One bolt is kind of hidden up there. I don't recall seeing a top bar riveted to a grill in 67 or 68 gmc. You may have to loosen the fender just a little also.

Re: 1968 GMC Grill Removal
 

Yes. There were four bolts on each side that I removed. Two on top and two on the bottom.

Re: 1968 GMC Grill Removal
 

Update: Grill is out. Loosening the fender bolts did the trick. Thanks for everyone's help!

Re: 1968 GMC Grill Removal
 

Good to hear, fellow GMC dude :cool: