Outer grille fasteners - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**MikeB** · 12-26-2025, 11:55 PM

On my 69, the outer grille is attached to the upper/outer mounting brackets by rivets. Would the factory have used rivets or screws? Have to remove the grille to install a new condenser.

58 Special · 12-27-2025, 01:25 AM

I'm not understanding. Just unbolt the brackets from the rad support. Leave the brackets riveted to grill surround.

**MikeB** · 12-27-2025, 12:23 PM

Yeah, stupid question I guess! The bracket actually bolts to the fender, and is kind of a PITA to get to. I installed a new grille many years ago and didn't remember having to drill out rivets to use the existing brackets. But that's been a while. I also remember doing it in virtually no time in my driveway. Why was everything so simple to do 30 years ago?

weq92f · 12-27-2025, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeB

Yeah, stupid question I guess! The bracket actually bolts to the fender, and is kind of a PITA to get to. I installed a new grille many years ago and didn't remember having to drill out rivets to use the existing brackets. But that's been a while. I also remember doing it in virtually no time in my driveway. Why was everything so simple to do 30 years ago?

.

The last 30 years of daily living and aging has brought me to a place where things are most definitely harder to do that they used to be...in my case it's a mental thing. My patience isn't what it used to be and if that's not all of it, I sometimes also get quickly frustrated when things don't go according to plan....also a mental thing.

Hth,

-Kevin

Casper42 · 12-27-2025, 05:45 PM

the four rivets shown are what came from the factory + two additional rivets around your headlight bucket, per side. they all attach to that bracket that goes to your fender. It seems most people remove the grille without popping those rivets. the three top and three bottom bolts that go into your fender are easy to access (info relates to 1972)

**MikeB** · 12-28-2025, 12:43 PM

Just found a pretty good video on removing/replacing the grille, along with a few helpful tricks and tips. In this case it's a 71 or 72.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15LUCtb3KKU

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 01-03-2026, 01:16 AM

They were installed by the factory with rivets. By First owners advice I installed mine fresh with stainless rivet screws and kep nuts. I think #10 - can double check if needed. Looks at least as nice as factory and you're not banging stuff up with a rivet gun.

Casper42 · 01-03-2026, 01:47 AM

these rivet-screws are what I used instead of traditional rivets
https://www.classicindustries.com/pr...ts/748598.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

They were installed by the factory with rivets. By First owners advice I installed mine fresh with stainless rivet screws and kep nuts. I think #10 - can double check if needed. Looks at least as nice as factory and you're not banging stuff up with a rivet gun.

**MikeB** · 01-03-2026, 04:45 PM

I removed the grille yesterday. There were a total of 8 body bolts -- 2 uppers and 2 lowers on each side. And then a few bolts for the hood latch support.

I also loosened 4 bolts securing the fenders to the rad support on each side, to make sure the grille would slide forward easily, without scraping paint on the fenders. I removed the bumper first, which may not have been necessary. But the bumper bolt threads, washers and nuts are very rusty, so I'll replace them.

Grille bracket upper and lower bolt locations.

12-27-2025, 01:25 AM	#2
58 Special Registered User Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Edmonton,Alberta, Canada Posts: 189	Re: Outer grille fasteners I'm not understanding. Just unbolt the brackets from the rad support. Leave the brackets riveted to grill surround.

12-27-2025, 12:23 PM	#3
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,035	Re: Outer grille fasteners Yeah, stupid question I guess! The bracket actually bolts to the fender, and is kind of a PITA to get to. I installed a new grille many years ago and didn't remember having to drill out rivets to use the existing brackets. But that's been a while. I also remember doing it in virtually no time in my driveway. Why was everything so simple to do 30 years ago? __________________ Mike 1969 Custom/10 LWB -- owned for 37 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. Hedman stainless headers. Old Air installation in progress. 1982 Custom Deluxe 10 SWB -- converted from 250-six to roller cam 350 w/ Vortec heads -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB, 305, TH350C -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) which I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 26 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

12-27-2025, 05:45 PM	#5
Casper42 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 605	Re: Outer grille fasteners the four rivets shown are what came from the factory + two additional rivets around your headlight bucket, per side. they all attach to that bracket that goes to your fender. It seems most people remove the grille without popping those rivets. the three top and three bottom bolts that go into your fender are easy to access (info relates to 1972) __________________ '72 C10 Cheyenne SWB North Carolina kept for 50 years, 75k original miles, Medium/Hawaiian Blue paint, 3 owners - one for 40 years & garaged kept. Original: sheetmetal, undercarriage, moldings, glass, immaculate unrestored bed. * * * New - rebuilt engine at 65k in 2015, one frame-on respray in 2010, front bumper, blue houndstooth seat, carpet, 8 inch rally wheels on 275-60R-15, LED lighting. - Semper Paratus!

12-28-2025, 12:43 PM	#6
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,035	Re: Outer grille fasteners Just found a pretty good video on removing/replacing the grille, along with a few helpful tricks and tips. In this case it's a 71 or 72. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15LUCtb3KKU __________________ Mike 1969 Custom/10 LWB -- owned for 37 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. Hedman stainless headers. Old Air installation in progress. 1982 Custom Deluxe 10 SWB -- converted from 250-six to roller cam 350 w/ Vortec heads -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB, 305, TH350C -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) which I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 26 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

01-03-2026, 01:16 AM	#7
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,689	Re: Outer grille fasteners They were installed by the factory with rivets. By First owners advice I installed mine fresh with stainless rivet screws and kep nuts. I think #10 - can double check if needed. Looks at least as nice as factory and you're not banging stuff up with a rivet gun. __________________ Tony 1971 C10 Custom Deluxe SWB 402/400TH A/C I developed an assembly information kit for restoring my truck from nuts and bolts. It's written in Assy. order, short & simple, packed with all OEM hardware ID; castings; part ID; 100s of part numbers; wiring simple - Resource, and trivial too. Much info. applies to all 67-72 GM, A/C vehicles, esp. trucks W/O saying. Full search ability, including to 700+ images of illus., parts, charts, Assy., points of interest, cab, bed, & front clip cart plans- Specials and cores were serviced out and R excluded e.g. front/rear glass, body/paint, engine core, rebuilt hinges, steering box, trans, etc. The project was in-line with long former professions developing process, policy, specs, demo, written for novices, admin., policy, engineers, development, systems & test - Public & govt 2, gross. Sell soft copy cheaply, PM if interested.Build thread:https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025

12-26-2025, 11:55 PM	#1
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,035	Outer grille fasteners On my 69, the outer grille is attached to the upper/outer mounting brackets by rivets. Would the factory have used rivets or screws? Have to remove the grille to install a new condenser. Attached Images __________________ Mike 1969 Custom/10 LWB -- owned for 37 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. Hedman stainless headers. Old Air installation in progress. 1982 Custom Deluxe 10 SWB -- converted from 250-six to roller cam 350 w/ Vortec heads -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB, 305, TH350C -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) which I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 26 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

01-03-2026, 04:45 PM	#9
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,035	Re: Outer grille fasteners I removed the grille yesterday. There were a total of 8 body bolts -- 2 uppers and 2 lowers on each side. And then a few bolts for the hood latch support. I also loosened 4 bolts securing the fenders to the rad support on each side, to make sure the grille would slide forward easily, without scraping paint on the fenders. I removed the bumper first, which may not have been necessary. But the bumper bolt threads, washers and nuts are very rusty, so I'll replace them. Grille bracket upper and lower bolt locations. Attached Images __________________ Mike 1969 Custom/10 LWB -- owned for 37 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. Hedman stainless headers. Old Air installation in progress. 1982 Custom Deluxe 10 SWB -- converted from 250-six to roller cam 350 w/ Vortec heads -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB, 305, TH350C -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) which I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 26 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!



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