front grille. 68 or 71? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

energiesource · 10-06-2007, 06:16 PM

so i have a 71 c-10 and for complete restoration purpose, id stick with the 71 grille, but im doing more of a custom restoration than a 'i want money' restoration. not sure which i like better so i need opinions, if i went with the 68 id use my 71 bumper and put the signal lights in the bumper instead of the 2 chrome grill parts on the 68, also where can i get the outer shell for the 68?
thanks

PanelDeland · 10-06-2007, 06:36 PM

68 Grilles are being repopped now so most of the BB Vendors should be able to get you one.I haven't seen one in person so I don't know what kind of quality is being produced.

smoky02 · 10-06-2007, 08:18 PM

Also don't forget that if you go with a 68 you are gonna need 68 fenders as well

Bob Moore · 10-06-2007, 08:34 PM

Also the grill upright and latch.

piecesparts · 10-06-2007, 08:41 PM

Don't forget the hood.

PanelDeland · 10-06-2007, 08:44 PM

And radiator support.You really need a complete front clip.

Gray Ghost · 10-06-2007, 11:16 PM

I am going to swap over the 70 to a 68 clip [I wanna keep the marker lights on the 70] someday to match the 67. To me there's no better looking front end and hood than the 67/68's.

1969k10stepside · 10-06-2007, 11:44 PM

Everyone with a 2wd is swapping over to 67-68 front ends now.If it was me I'd keep the 71 front end just to not be like everyone else.You may consider the mod of putting a 67-68 style hood on your truck though if you keep the 71 look.But if you are going to swap to a 67-68 front end,you might as well buy a whole front clip instead of piecing one together.

energiesource · 10-07-2007, 05:28 PM

all i see around here are 71's but why do i need the hood, fenders and all that?
besides i like the 67 fenders without the side marker lights anyway.

67_C-30 · 10-07-2007, 05:47 PM

Your 71 fenders look like the first pic below with the grill off and the 67-68 looks like the second pic. The hood on your 71 will not interchange on a 67-68because is not long enough in the front where the 67-68 hood slopes down. The radiator support is different because the headlights are in a different location on 67-68's than they are on 69-72's.

energiesource · 10-07-2007, 05:51 PM

that goes in quite a bit, damn..

67_C-30 · 10-07-2007, 05:55 PM

Yeah, it would be almost impossible to modify to fit right with 67 - 68 grill. 67 - 72 GMC fenders are the same as 67-68 Chevy fender though, if you can get your hands on any of them.

energiesource · 10-07-2007, 05:56 PM

well i dont know if i like how far it goes in. although id be buying new fenders and grille, anyway. might as well get a new hood.

piecesparts · 10-07-2007, 08:18 PM

NOW, that's the ticket--we have another convert. Go for it all....

energiesource · 10-07-2007, 08:34 PM

was that sarcasm?

piecesparts · 10-08-2007, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by energiesource

was that sarcasm?

NO not in any way--I personally like the 67-68 front work better than the later models and with you considering the change, that is great. There are many of us that like that style over the other, happy to have you join. You also stated that you might go the whole route and purchase the hood----NOW buddy you are hooked---it is a bad disease and you can only cure it with large amounts of funding to make your truck what you want.

**N2TRUX** · 10-08-2007, 10:11 AM

67-68....

energiesource · 10-08-2007, 10:59 AM

yeah thats true, i dont care about buying aftermarket, i just dont want to spend a year making everything fit properly, which is i guess one of the joys, i just dont want to screw anything up. and i love the look of how clean the 67-68 grilles look without the emblems and signal lights.
I can use the same bumper as my 71, correct?

67_C-30 · 10-08-2007, 11:01 AM

Yes, you can use the 71 bumper if you want to move the parking lights.

Gray Ghost · 10-08-2007, 11:04 AM

I am after the same swap...you'll need the whole clip to do it right.

energiesource · 10-08-2007, 11:20 AM

good thats what i plan to do. Where can I get that grille shell assembly from? I cant seem to find it anywhere, and is there a difference between the 67-68 besides the side marker lights?

Gray Ghost · 10-08-2007, 07:44 PM

Not that I know of. If you can't get the whole clip at once, you'll need the core support, fenders, hood and grille assemblies to convert it. Only the marker lights are different as far as I know but I am not an expert by any stretch.

shifty · 10-08-2007, 11:38 PM

67-68 front end is the best out of all three. i think they just got uglier as they went along and 71-72 looks like any old truck. these trucks officially lost that 'classic' look in 71. some people would probably punch me in the face over that comment after a few beers, but ... it's how i've always felt.

Gray Ghost · 10-09-2007, 06:57 AM

I agree on that one. I used to be pretty sold on the 69-70 look, but as time goes by and I see the 67/68's in various paint schemes, I realized that those front ends are much better looking. It's all about the hood laying back for me.

shifty · 10-09-2007, 11:08 AM

the hood layback, the gentle outside round of the fenders, the big, gappy split grille with metal trim, and i love the eyebrows (i'm keeping mine) and the fact the grille insert area can be painted to contrast the body color. there is a certain bit of character you lose with the flimsy metal grille insert on the 69-70, and REALLY lose with the plastic grid grille insert on the 71-72. destroys the character of the front end, IMO.

10-06-2007, 06:16 PM	#1
energiesource Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Edmonton, AB, CAN Posts: 346	front grille. 68 or 71? so i have a 71 c-10 and for complete restoration purpose, id stick with the 71 grille, but im doing more of a custom restoration than a 'i want money' restoration. not sure which i like better so i need opinions, if i went with the 68 id use my 71 bumper and put the signal lights in the bumper instead of the 2 chrome grill parts on the 68, also where can i get the outer shell for the 68? thanks

10-06-2007, 06:36 PM	#2
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: front grille. 68 or 71? 68 Grilles are being repopped now so most of the BB Vendors should be able to get you one.I haven't seen one in person so I don't know what kind of quality is being produced. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

10-06-2007, 08:18 PM	#3
smoky02 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sunny, Florida, some might call it South Alabama Posts: 834	Re: front grille. 68 or 71? Also don't forget that if you go with a 68 you are gonna need 68 fenders as well __________________ Just sold my C10...sad day... Looking for a 1972 Blazer to hopefully fill the hole in my heart.

10-06-2007, 08:34 PM	#4
Bob Moore Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tacoma WA Posts: 1,365	Re: front grille. 68 or 71? Also the grill upright and latch. __________________ 67 C-20 LWB, tilt, speed alert, vac, 454, T400 67 C-10 SWB, factory air with more to follow

10-06-2007, 08:41 PM	#5
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: front grille. 68 or 71? Don't forget the hood.

10-06-2007, 08:44 PM	#6
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: front grille. 68 or 71? And radiator support.You really need a complete front clip. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

10-06-2007, 11:16 PM	#7
Gray Ghost Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Terrell, TX Posts: 1,967	Re: front grille. 68 or 71? I am going to swap over the 70 to a 68 clip [I wanna keep the marker lights on the 70] someday to match the 67. To me there's no better looking front end and hood than the 67/68's. __________________ Kelly '05 GMC Sierra SLE Z71 Bone stock except for new bed rail caps. Last edited by Gray Ghost; 10-06-2007 at 11:16 PM.

10-06-2007, 11:44 PM	#8
1969k10stepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 21,020	Re: front grille. 68 or 71? Everyone with a 2wd is swapping over to 67-68 front ends now.If it was me I'd keep the 71 front end just to not be like everyone else.You may consider the mod of putting a 67-68 style hood on your truck though if you keep the 71 look.But if you are going to swap to a 67-68 front end,you might as well buy a whole front clip instead of piecing one together. Last edited by 1969k10stepside; 10-06-2007 at 11:45 PM.

10-07-2007, 05:28 PM	#9
energiesource Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Edmonton, AB, CAN Posts: 346	Re: front grille. 68 or 71? all i see around here are 71's but why do i need the hood, fenders and all that? besides i like the 67 fenders without the side marker lights anyway.

10-07-2007, 05:47 PM	#10
67_C-30 I have a radical idea! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sweet Home Alabama! Posts: 6,513	Re: front grille. 68 or 71? Your 71 fenders look like the first pic below with the grill off and the 67-68 looks like the second pic. The hood on your 71 will not interchange on a 67-68because is not long enough in the front where the 67-68 hood slopes down. The radiator support is different because the headlights are in a different location on 67-68's than they are on 69-72's. Attached Images __________________ '67 C-30 Dually Pickup 6.2 Turbo Diesel, NP435 ‘72 C-10 SWB , 350 4bbl, TH350 '69 C-10 SWB , 250 L6, 3 OTT '69 GMC C3500, dump truck, 351 V6, NP435 '84 M1009 CUCV Military Blazer 67 C-30 Turbodiesel build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=254096 My trucks http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/d...ediafilter=all Member of the 1-Ton Club!

10-07-2007, 05:51 PM	#11
energiesource Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Edmonton, AB, CAN Posts: 346	Re: front grille. 68 or 71? that goes in quite a bit, damn..

10-07-2007, 05:55 PM	#12
67_C-30 I have a radical idea! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sweet Home Alabama! Posts: 6,513	Re: front grille. 68 or 71? Yeah, it would be almost impossible to modify to fit right with 67 - 68 grill. 67 - 72 GMC fenders are the same as 67-68 Chevy fender though, if you can get your hands on any of them. __________________ '67 C-30 Dually Pickup 6.2 Turbo Diesel, NP435 ‘72 C-10 SWB , 350 4bbl, TH350 '69 C-10 SWB , 250 L6, 3 OTT '69 GMC C3500, dump truck, 351 V6, NP435 '84 M1009 CUCV Military Blazer 67 C-30 Turbodiesel build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=254096 My trucks http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/d...ediafilter=all Member of the 1-Ton Club!

10-07-2007, 05:56 PM	#13
energiesource Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Edmonton, AB, CAN Posts: 346	Re: front grille. 68 or 71? well i dont know if i like how far it goes in. although id be buying new fenders and grille, anyway. might as well get a new hood.

10-07-2007, 08:18 PM	#14
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: front grille. 68 or 71? NOW, that's the ticket--we have another convert. Go for it all....

10-07-2007, 08:34 PM	#15
energiesource Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Edmonton, AB, CAN Posts: 346	Re: front grille. 68 or 71? was that sarcasm?



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10-08-2007, 10:11 AM	#17
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: front grille. 68 or 71? 67-68.... __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

10-08-2007, 10:59 AM	#18
energiesource Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Edmonton, AB, CAN Posts: 346	Re: front grille. 68 or 71? yeah thats true, i dont care about buying aftermarket, i just dont want to spend a year making everything fit properly, which is i guess one of the joys, i just dont want to screw anything up. and i love the look of how clean the 67-68 grilles look without the emblems and signal lights. I can use the same bumper as my 71, correct?

10-08-2007, 11:01 AM	#19
67_C-30 I have a radical idea! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sweet Home Alabama! Posts: 6,513	Re: front grille. 68 or 71? Yes, you can use the 71 bumper if you want to move the parking lights. __________________ '67 C-30 Dually Pickup 6.2 Turbo Diesel, NP435 ‘72 C-10 SWB , 350 4bbl, TH350 '69 C-10 SWB , 250 L6, 3 OTT '69 GMC C3500, dump truck, 351 V6, NP435 '84 M1009 CUCV Military Blazer 67 C-30 Turbodiesel build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=254096 My trucks http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/d...ediafilter=all Member of the 1-Ton Club!

10-08-2007, 11:04 AM	#20
Gray Ghost Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Terrell, TX Posts: 1,967	Re: front grille. 68 or 71? I am after the same swap...you'll need the whole clip to do it right. __________________ Kelly '05 GMC Sierra SLE Z71 Bone stock except for new bed rail caps.

10-08-2007, 11:20 AM	#21
energiesource Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Edmonton, AB, CAN Posts: 346	Re: front grille. 68 or 71? good thats what i plan to do. Where can I get that grille shell assembly from? I cant seem to find it anywhere, and is there a difference between the 67-68 besides the side marker lights?

10-08-2007, 07:44 PM	#22
Gray Ghost Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Terrell, TX Posts: 1,967	Re: front grille. 68 or 71? Not that I know of. If you can't get the whole clip at once, you'll need the core support, fenders, hood and grille assemblies to convert it. Only the marker lights are different as far as I know but I am not an expert by any stretch. __________________ Kelly '05 GMC Sierra SLE Z71 Bone stock except for new bed rail caps.

10-08-2007, 11:38 PM	#23
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,376	Re: front grille. 68 or 71? 67-68 front end is the best out of all three. i think they just got uglier as they went along and 71-72 looks like any old truck. these trucks officially lost that 'classic' look in 71. some people would probably punch me in the face over that comment after a few beers, but ... it's how i've always felt. __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

10-09-2007, 06:57 AM	#24
Gray Ghost Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Terrell, TX Posts: 1,967	Re: front grille. 68 or 71? I agree on that one. I used to be pretty sold on the 69-70 look, but as time goes by and I see the 67/68's in various paint schemes, I realized that those front ends are much better looking. It's all about the hood laying back for me. __________________ Kelly '05 GMC Sierra SLE Z71 Bone stock except for new bed rail caps.

10-09-2007, 11:08 AM	#25
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,376	Re: front grille. 68 or 71? the hood layback, the gentle outside round of the fenders, the big, gappy split grille with metal trim, and i love the eyebrows (i'm keeping mine) and the fact the grille insert area can be painted to contrast the body color. there is a certain bit of character you lose with the flimsy metal grille insert on the 69-70, and REALLY lose with the plastic grid grille insert on the 71-72. destroys the character of the front end, IMO. __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

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