89 grille swap - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Metalshapes · 10-22-2013, 10:28 PM

Hey gents, I was wondering if someone would be able to tell me what is special about the gravel shield on an 89 as compared to the factory one on my 85? This is the only piece I have yet to find before I swap the grille, can I not just take the chrome strip off my 85 and go?, or does it have to be the 89 one? I've never performed this swap, and most of my pieces are coming from the salvage yard which is why I haven't gotten the gravel shield yet.

jitteryguy · 10-22-2013, 10:42 PM

the screw hole's for the lower section of the head light bezel's are in a different location, I just redrill'd the new hole's in my exist'n piece on both of Crew cab's.

Metalshapes · 10-22-2013, 10:50 PM

were you able to hit the tabs under the bezels since the 89 bezels are wider?

jitteryguy · 10-22-2013, 11:04 PM

I'll try to get a picture of it tomorrow, I just set the bezel on and mark'd the bottom hole's then screw'd right into the metal.

RandyP · 10-23-2013, 08:21 AM

A new aftermarket filler from Keystone is about $110 retail. They do sell them though and available to purchase.

Not sure why their photo is upside down.

motornut · 10-23-2013, 11:22 AM

my 89
when i was selling it a guy drove out and took it's grill all apart tried to fit it on his 86
came over and said it dosn't fit sorry and left,he mentioned he saw a nest....
gravel shield? black strip under the bumper?
it changed in 89, use the one for the year of bumper

motornut · 10-23-2013, 11:30 AM

with it

RandyP · 10-23-2013, 04:14 PM

Not sure what you really just tried to say there motor, but no. You use the metal filler panel mated with the grille you are using. The bumper has nothing to do with it.

I'm not sure what the black strip is UNDER the bumper you're talking about either. It has nothing to do with the filler panel between the bumper and grille.

Metalshapes · 10-23-2013, 08:09 PM

Thanks guys for all the replies, I'm going to track down the proper piece and keep cruising. and I will post pics from before and after when finished.

motornut · 10-24-2013, 06:59 AM

It was rad support and yes the cross piece under the grill
I dropped a line somewhere

RandyP · 10-24-2013, 09:03 AM

Pictures that actually help. Top one (white) is 89-91 Suburban, bottom one (tan) is 81-87 truck.

10-22-2013, 10:28 PM	#1
Metalshapes Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Posts: 114	89 grille swap Hey gents, I was wondering if someone would be able to tell me what is special about the gravel shield on an 89 as compared to the factory one on my 85? This is the only piece I have yet to find before I swap the grille, can I not just take the chrome strip off my 85 and go?, or does it have to be the 89 one? I've never performed this swap, and most of my pieces are coming from the salvage yard which is why I haven't gotten the gravel shield yet. __________________ Rally 'round the family....with a pocket full of shells.

10-22-2013, 10:42 PM	#2
jitteryguy GoatLube Experss Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: clarksville, Tn. Posts: 1,337	Re: 89 grille swap the screw hole's for the lower section of the head light bezel's are in a different location, I just redrill'd the new hole's in my exist'n piece on both of Crew cab's. __________________ *Goat Lube Express*, locations in Qalat,Afghanistan & Clarksville, Tn. '87 R30 dually 454/TH400 '85 1/2 ton CCSB '92 S10 350/350 '84 MonteCarlo 383/PG/9"ford '78 Malibu wagon 350/350 '78 Cutlass (project family car) '96 S10 Jimmy (Moma's)

10-22-2013, 10:50 PM	#3
Metalshapes Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Posts: 114	Re: 89 grille swap were you able to hit the tabs under the bezels since the 89 bezels are wider? __________________ Rally 'round the family....with a pocket full of shells. Last edited by Metalshapes; 10-22-2013 at 10:54 PM. Reason: brain fart

10-22-2013, 11:04 PM	#4
jitteryguy GoatLube Experss Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: clarksville, Tn. Posts: 1,337	Re: 89 grille swap I'll try to get a picture of it tomorrow, I just set the bezel on and mark'd the bottom hole's then screw'd right into the metal. __________________ *Goat Lube Express*, locations in Qalat,Afghanistan & Clarksville, Tn. '87 R30 dually 454/TH400 '85 1/2 ton CCSB '92 S10 350/350 '84 MonteCarlo 383/PG/9"ford '78 Malibu wagon 350/350 '78 Cutlass (project family car) '96 S10 Jimmy (Moma's)

10-23-2013, 08:21 AM	#5
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: 89 grille swap A new aftermarket filler from Keystone is about $110 retail. They do sell them though and available to purchase. Not sure why their photo is upside down. Attached Images __________________ *Why is every used 350 sbc out of a corvette?* There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys. *VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good."* When the going gets tough, switch to power tools.

10-23-2013, 11:22 AM	#6
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: 89 grille swap my 89 when i was selling it a guy drove out and took it's grill all apart tried to fit it on his 86 came over and said it dosn't fit sorry and left,he mentioned he saw a nest.... gravel shield? black strip under the bumper? it changed in 89, use the one for the year of bumper Attached Images __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

10-23-2013, 11:30 AM	#7
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: 89 grille swap with it Attached Images __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

10-23-2013, 04:14 PM	#8
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: 89 grille swap Not sure what you really just tried to say there motor, but no. You use the metal filler panel mated with the grille you are using. The bumper has nothing to do with it. I'm not sure what the black strip is UNDER the bumper you're talking about either. It has nothing to do with the filler panel between the bumper and grille. __________________ *Why is every used 350 sbc out of a corvette?* There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys. *VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good."* When the going gets tough, switch to power tools.

10-23-2013, 08:09 PM	#9
Metalshapes Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Posts: 114	Re: 89 grille swap Thanks guys for all the replies, I'm going to track down the proper piece and keep cruising. and I will post pics from before and after when finished. __________________ Rally 'round the family....with a pocket full of shells.

10-24-2013, 06:59 AM	#10
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: 89 grille swap It was rad support and yes the cross piece under the grill I dropped a line somewhere __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

10-24-2013, 09:03 AM	#11
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: 89 grille swap Pictures that actually help. Top one (white) is 89-91 Suburban, bottom one (tan) is 81-87 truck. Attached Images __________________ *Why is every used 350 sbc out of a corvette?* There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys. *VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good."* When the going gets tough, switch to power tools.

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