73/74 grill swap

[xs-style]

This topic is now an FAQ- "73/74 grill swap"


I just finished up this swap for my '78. Ive seen posts on the board where folks have told others how to do it, but Ive never seen a write up with photos before. That said, I figured Id go ahead and put one together. This should fit 75-79 trucks, and later models with older sheetmetal lol. Hope this helps someone along the way since this seems to be a popular swap right now.


To get started you need the 73/74 center support and two side supports.


I didnt take a pic of what the grill looked like originaly. If your truck started as anything like mine, you know what a chevy grill looks like when its missing about 20 teeth lol. Just remove the 8 screws holding that old busted up grill on and toss it aside. That will leave you looking at your center grill support. Heres a picture of the 75 and up grill support in my parts truck



Now this is the center support youll need from the 73/74 donor truck.



Swapping the center supports out was a pretty simple. 8 bolts and your done.

Heres the side support brackets (pic 1), the 73/74 grill (pic 2), and the side brackets attached to the grill






To mount the side supports youll need to drill four holes, two on each side. If you look just to the inside edge of the headlights, youll see Chevy provided dimples where the side brackets need to mount.



The pre-drill shot of the dimples didnt come out as well as I would have liked, but the after shot shows up better.



In my own case here I drilled the holes a little large, and used washers with my bolts. I figured my chances of getting it exactly right on the first try were slim to none. Doing it this way will allow me to adjust the gaps.

Heres an after picture with the grill installed.



Now your down to re assembling everthing and viewing the finished product.



As it turns out, Ive still got some adjusting to do. Im off about 1/4 inch to the left. I still need to make something up for the center mounts too. Aside from those little details the swap is done though. As it turns out this is probably one of the easiest things Ive done to the truck. Hope this helps someone along the way.

[xs-style]

This swap did leave me with one question. Ive asked this to a few 'chevy' guys that I know, and none of them could give me an answer. If those dimples where the side mounts bolt on were only necessary for the 73/74 side mounts, why did they carry them on into later years?

[S10Fan]

Originally Posted by xs-style

This swap did leave me with one question. Ive asked this to a few 'chevy' guys that I know, and none of them could give me an answer. If those dimples where the side mounts bolt on were only necessary for the 73/74 side mounts, why did they carry them on into later years?

Probably so the same core support could be used for all year trucks?

[xs-style]

Originally Posted by S10Fan

Probably so the same core support could be used for all year trucks?

That would make sense. My thought process was that since that person, or piece of machinery was no longer needed, that it would be eliminated from the assembly process.

[Walts_restoration]

so that replacement core supports can be offered from 73-80 i assume.

[N2TRUX]

Thanks for sharing.

[N2TRUX]

I love the 73-74 grill, so you know I dig the conversion. It looks to me like the gap around the trim is a bit wide. Anyone got a good pic of a 73-74 front end to compare?


BTW- What about the internal hood latch. Will this work alright with that?

[Walts_restoration]

hows two of them?

[xs-style]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I love the 73-74 grill, so you know I dig the conversion. It looks to me like the gap around the trim is a bit wide. Anyone got a good pic of a 73-74 front end to compare?


BTW- What about the internal hood latch. Will this work alright with that?

Ive not done the latch swap. I didnt need to with the external latch, but from what I can find on here changing them out isnt hard. You would still have the spot for an external latch on the grill though.

I noticed the gap too, but I figured there wasnt much to be done about it unless I got a grill stretcher

[c10sport]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I love the 73-74 grill, so you know I dig the conversion. It looks to me like the gap around the trim is a bit wide. Anyone got a good pic of a 73-74 front end to compare?


BTW- What about the internal hood latch. Will this work alright with that?

yes it does. I put a 1973 grille (also my fav, your truck would be my (future) truck's twin if you do it) in my 1978 K10 with an inside hood release.

[Walts_restoration]

Originally Posted by c10sport

yes it does. I put a 1973 grille (also my fav, your truck would be my (future) truck's twin if you do it) in my 1978 K10 with an inside hood release.

How did your hood release work out with the 73-74 center? i am thinking about doing this to my 78 with inside release as well.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by c10sport

yes it does. I put a 1973 grille (also my fav, your truck would be my (future) truck's twin if you do it) in my 1978 K10 with an inside hood release.

Thanks

[Walts_restoration]

My 73 cheyenne





I cannot find pics of my other trucks though. we have a green 73 white 74 and maybe another one or two i cant remember anymore haha.

[N2TRUX]

So maybe I am wrong but I still think the gap is a bit wider. According to LMC the trim is all the same, so maybe its just me.

Thanks for the pics.

[Walts_restoration]

his trim does look a little off to me n2trux, but i think its the headon style photo.

[bigblock73]

That gap is about right, looks like mine.

[c10sport]

Perfect fit. Didn't bind up or hit the grille.

[jlmerie]

I really like that grille. Is the 73/74 grill being reproduced?

[Grande Rojo]

73' grill on a 77' front clip

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Grande Rojo

73' grill on a 77' front clip

You guys are tempting me to make some changes. Can't call them updates, maybe "upgrade" would be a better description.

[c10sport]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

You guys are tempting me to make some changes. Can't call them updates, maybe "upgrade" would be a better description.

do eeeetttt!

[xs-style]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

You guys are tempting me to make some changes. Can't call them updates, maybe "upgrade" would be a better description.

I dunno.... I think your truck looks pretty good as is. Mine needed more help than most lol

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by c10sport

Perfect fit. Didn't bind up or hit the grille.

I would really like to know how you did this? I am in the middle of my conversion, and nothing fits. I have all internal latch parts but they are totally different from external latch system.

From what I can tell so far I need to change the center brace to 73-74. This requires an external latch release, as well as the matching core support filler panel, and strike pin.
I have some of each, but thats the best combo I can see that will work.

[superwade57]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I would really like to know how you did this? I am in the middle of my conversion, and nothing fits. I have all internal latch parts but they are totally different from external latch system.

From what I can tell so far I need to change the center brace to 73-74. This requires an external latch release, as well as the matching core support filler panel, and strike pin.
I have some of each, but thats the best combo I can see that will work.

so im going to say this knowing i will sound like a 15 year old school girl, and i understand this will immediately revoke my man-card and all priveledges associated with it- BUT......

OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM SOOOO EXCITED!! LIKE I TOTALLY CANT WAIT!

(shreaks and other high pitched squeeling noises associated with teenage girl excitment also happening)

pics pics pics for kicks if you can find a gmc 73/74 grill you should post pics of it too. but all shreaks aside, its gonna look awesome! please please dont forget the all to commonly over-looked amber colored turn/courtesy lamp lenses. imo they are half of what makes the 73/74 front end look soo bad a**

[1BadSS]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I would really like to know how you did this? I am in the middle of my conversion, and nothing fits. I have all internal latch parts but they are totally different from external latch system.

From what I can tell so far I need to change the center brace to 73-74. This requires an external latch release, as well as the matching core support filler panel, and strike pin.
I have some of each, but thats the best combo I can see that will work.

Not so sure if the support filler needs to be different...

Only things I changed on my 76 were the center support, hood release and outside brackets. All sourced from a 74 GMC.