69-70 Grill on a 72

[gonzo6869]

I tired searching, but all I can find is pre69 grill conversions onto a 71-72. Question I have, can a 69 or 70(CHEVY) grill be used on a 71-72(CHEVY)? I know the turn signals are in different locations, but other then that, it looks to me to be an easy swap.

Thanks for the help.

[petey-pablo]

I don't see why not the 71 I use to own had a 69-70 grill on it when I bought it It looked ok. I never got around to changing it before I sold it. Here an old picture.

[VA72C10]

yes it can. In addition to the outer and inner grilles, you will need to swap the hood latch and the center rad support bracket as they hold the center of the grille for the 69-70. Other than that the same hood and fenders can be used. You might need to lengthen the wire for the turn signals as they are in the center of the grille vs in the bumper for the 71-72. You can choose to leave the extra signals in the bumper, convert them to foglights, or get a smooth bumper w/out the holes for lights or the new ones with the round foglights in them.

[72swb_327stroker_?]

its a bolt on switch!

I have a 1972 swb that I swapped the grill out for a 69 repop grill without lettering.
It fit no problem, I did not change out anything but the grill(inner and outer) and hook up the lights.

here is a couple of pics for you..
one of the grill, and one of the radiator support and hood latch...stock from 72.

Cheers!!!

[VA72C10]

so the hood latch still works with that inner grille? But there's no way the center support (between the rad support and grille) bolts to the center of the outer grille because a 71-72 is smooth in that area while a 69-70 has the bump out that bolts to support the center strip of the grille??? I wasn't trying to imply that the rad supports themselves are different (They are the same for 67-68 and 69-72); just the center support that bolts to the hood latch and the hood latch itself.

[gonzo6869]

Thanks for all the help. I have always liked the look of the 69-70 grill. Now comes the hard part on deciding if I should do it. Any opinions out there?

Here is a pic of how it now.

[EA69TRK]

I saw change it over to the 69-70 grill but my opion my be a little biasd

[RW71]

I say yes, I am going to do it to my 71.

[72swb_327stroker_?]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

so the hood latch still works with that inner grille? But there's no way the center support (between the rad support and grille) bolts to the center of the outer grille because a 71-72 is smooth in that area while a 69-70 has the bump out that bolts to support the center strip of the grille??? I wasn't trying to imply that the rad supports themselves are different (They are the same for 67-68 and 69-72); just the center support that bolts to the hood latch and the hood latch itself.

I understood what you meant... I was just trying to show a clear picture of how it mounted to the radiator support...

and yes it will work.

My stock 72 hood latch bolted right up to the 69 grill shell w/o mods.

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by 72swb_327stroker_?

I understood what you meant... I was just trying to show a clear picture of how it mounted to the radiator support...

and yes it will work.

My stock 72 hood latch bolted right up to the 69 grill shell w/o mods.

So the center rad support bolts to the center of the 69 shell?
Maybe the PO had put in a different center support already?

[Sinister]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

So the center rad support bolts to the center of the 69 shell?
Maybe the PO had put in a different center support already?

Doesn't look like he's running a center support from the pic.

[gonzo6869]

I don't think there should should be a problem with out running the center support. After I got done redoing mine, I got lazy and never connected the inner grill to the center support. If not using a center support is all that I have to do, then I think I will be getting a 69-70 grill.

[Sinister]

Probably not too difficult to find a center support on the Parts Board.

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by Sinister

Doesn't look like he's running a center support from the pic.

I guess I was thinking that was a during swap picture...makes sense that it'd be an easier swap w/out worrying about the support. I still don't see how the latch works but I guess they are close enough where it doesn't interfere with the inner grill.

[Longhorn Man]

My 70 one ton had a 71/72 front clip when I got it, it had the 69/70 grill on it. The hood release handle was very dificult to get to, and we ended up knocking a couple teeth out of the grill for easy access.

[gonzo6869]

Originally Posted by Sinister

Probably not too difficult to find a center support on the Parts Board.

True, but is really needed. I know the 72 support wont work, is it because the screw holes don't line up, or is it that it sticks out to far?

[Sinister]

It gives support to the hood latch which is holding the hood down against the hood springs. I'd run one.

[gonzo6869]

That makes sense. If my 72 support dose not fit I guess I will cut it to, or get a 70 support.

[72swb_327stroker_?]

I am not running one, nor have I ran one since I put the grill on the truck in 07. NO PROBLEMS! remember....K>I>S>S>

CHEERS!