Re-working grille - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

RON WOODGEARD · 08-29-2002, 02:13 AM

I kept my 70 grille and am now re-working it. It wasn't in too bad of shape so I pounded (TAPPED) out the dings that were in it and am now in the process of smoothing and polishing. It's NOT hard at all but it is time consuming. But then again $450.00 for a new outer 71-2 grille isn't cheap and I'm more willing to give up some time then money.
I cut the center section out and turned the edges under then backed it with a dull punch and tapped it flat to give it a smooth (instead of cut) bend. The aluminum works very easy and sands smooth, there's NO FILLING, you just tap it flat from behind and then sand it smooth.
In a few days I'll have it ready to accept my new BILLET INSERT, and it will be shinier then new.. someday the truck will match the shinyness of the grille and insert.hehehe

THIS WILL WORK ON SIDE TRIM MOULDING ALSO..

RON

devinfife · 08-29-2002, 06:11 AM

hey great way to save some money. i want to try and polish my outer grill sometime or take it to get powdercoated or somethin....how tough is it to take off? it jsut looks complicated to me.............

RON WOODGEARD · 08-29-2002, 02:50 PM

Taking the grille off is quite easy, it just looks complicated. You will need to remove your headlight trim and look in the sides of the grille where it sets up against the fender, you'll see some bolts, remove them. also at the bottom of the grille where it mates up to the fender.(crawl underneath) Then take off the hood latch that sits on the top of the grille and you'll see the center brace, remove the bolts holding it to the radiator support. You may have to loosen your bumper to pull it out. Then look on the back of the grille you'll see the bolts holding the center brace and inner grille.

RON

08-29-2002, 02:13 AM	#1
RON WOODGEARD Resident Young Old Dude ! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Nevada Posts: 1,948	Re-working grille I kept my 70 grille and am now re-working it. It wasn't in too bad of shape so I pounded (TAPPED) out the dings that were in it and am now in the process of smoothing and polishing. It's NOT hard at all but it is time consuming. But then again $450.00 for a new outer 71-2 grille isn't cheap and I'm more willing to give up some time then money. I cut the center section out and turned the edges under then backed it with a dull punch and tapped it flat to give it a smooth (instead of cut) bend. The aluminum works very easy and sands smooth, there's NO FILLING, you just tap it flat from behind and then sand it smooth. In a few days I'll have it ready to accept my new BILLET INSERT, and it will be shinier then new.. someday the truck will match the shinyness of the grille and insert.hehehe THIS WILL WORK ON SIDE TRIM MOULDING ALSO.. RON

08-29-2002, 06:11 AM	#2
devinfife Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Renton, WA Posts: 171	hey great way to save some money. i want to try and polish my outer grill sometime or take it to get powdercoated or somethin....how tough is it to take off? it jsut looks complicated to me............. __________________ FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE DRUM BRAKE CLUB 69 c-10. turquoise. 350 motor with 400 trans. long fleet. headers and dual flowmaster exhaust. K & N air cleaner, aluminum wheels and radials, stereo system and a bed liner. Manual drums and manual steering. Kickin it in Seattle, WA p.s. i love my longbed. must be a phallic thing.

08-29-2002, 02:50 PM	#3
RON WOODGEARD Resident Young Old Dude ! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Nevada Posts: 1,948	Taking the grille off is quite easy, it just looks complicated. You will need to remove your headlight trim and look in the sides of the grille where it sets up against the fender, you'll see some bolts, remove them. also at the bottom of the grille where it mates up to the fender.(crawl underneath) Then take off the hood latch that sits on the top of the grille and you'll see the center brace, remove the bolts holding it to the radiator support. You may have to loosen your bumper to pull it out. Then look on the back of the grille you'll see the bolts holding the center brace and inner grille. RON



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