!966 GMC Grille assembly diagrams?

[monolith]

Hi all- first - I've been working on the truck the past few days and thanks to the search function, haven't had to post a question yet-til now. Got the taillights sorted out easily thanks to prior posts by you guys.
The PO relocated the headlamps (eliminating 2 and moving the remaining 2 slightly inboard- he drilled a bunch of extra holes, and kind of bodged the lights in) and I want to restore the grille to stock configuration (he was kind enough to include all of the large parts- lamps, buckets ,bezels.) I plan on pulling the entire assembly and pounding out a few dents- I'm just looking for what parts I'll need to order, and what pieces look like in their original, straight condition.

I've pulled the pushbar, and it's likely to stay off- at least for a while.






Thanks for any help.

Crappy phone pics to follow as I make progress.

[terd ferguson]

I've got a set of stock dual headlight buckets. I'll get a picture of them later today for you.

From looking at yours, you need the headlight mounts (buckets that go behind the headlights) and headlight retaining rings. LMC sells a headlight mounting set for around $100 that should have everything you need. It looks like you still have the adjuster spring and adjustment screws for the missing lights.

Here's a link that shows the parts...
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cbe/full.aspx?Page=95

[4dranch]

Here are the parts you may need...and a link.

http://www.americanclassic.com/asp/d...ype=to&exyear=

[monolith]

Thanks so much for the response, guys.

I just pb blasted the mounting screws, boy are they rusty- looks like the grill has been mashed in a bit too- the mounting tabs seem bent where the headlight mounting panels and grill stretcher bar rivet together

Looks like I have all of the parts I'll need save the little plastic mounted adjuster screws and 1 bezel. Will be ordering those directly. (thanks for the parts store links- my local napa doesn't carry much for these trucks anymore)

I noticed as I was removing the lights that one of the "mounting panels" seems inverted.
the springs and "cutout" are on top on the left side of the truck and on the bottom on the right side.

They are both stamped "LH" but they look like they will both attach in the same orientation e.g. both sets of springs and cutouts up, or both down- the mounting holes seem the same on either side of the panel.

Which is the proper way?

Pics to illustrate what I'm asking:





(sorry for the quality of the images- my phone is all I have at the moment.

again- thanks for your help. I truly appreciate it.

Baz

[terd ferguson]

Mine are both "springs down".

[monolith]

Thanks for the info!

Just tore the whole thing apart, ground out all of the rivets, separated all of the components. I'll be wire wheeling all of the rust off tomorrow. The backing plates WILL reassemble either way, I found. I'll rebuild the grille with the springs down then.

What would you suggest I use to repaint the "non showing" parts? Just rustoleum? or is there a (cheap) product that would be better?

The whole truck is rattle canned right now- and likely to stay that way for quite a while.

[terd ferguson]

Originally Posted by monolith

Thanks for the info!

Just tore the whole thing apart, ground out all of the rivets, separated all of the components. I'll be wire wheeling all of the rust off tomorrow. The backing plates WILL reassemble either way, I found. I'll rebuild the grille with the springs down then.

What would you suggest I use to repaint the "non showing" parts? Just rustoleum? or is there a (cheap) product that would be better?

The whole truck is rattle canned right now- and likely to stay that way for quite a while.

I did the same thing you're doing a week ago. I just used Rustoleum primer and then satin black for the buckets and the back of the grill.

[protrash64]

I re-did my grill and used the 'hammertone' paint on the structural parts. Its very tough stuff for being rattle can.

[ClassicAutoResto]

Mono, If you want to get rid of the 68 charger, I'll take it off your hands so you have more time to concentrate on your truck!!! LOL Jerry

[monolith]

Haha- I figured I'd catch hell for having a piece of that Charger in the pic with my truck. That was pretty much my dream car when I was a kid- I picked it up about 8 years ago- then never had a chance (or the skill) to do anything with it- it needs a bunch of work from sitting so long- but it's complete- the 318 runs- too bad it's not an R/T. I have a running 383 and a "ran when pulled" 440 that I wanted to throw a blower on. I guess I should learn how to wrench first
I've had that thing for so long I don't think I COULD sell it unless I was offered a really stupid amount for it.

That will be my "next" project, but I have to say- this old truck is a blast- I'll likely never sell it either- I'm loving learning to wrench on it.

Baz

[monolith]

Finally got the grill back together.

Took a couple of trips down to the Truck Shop in Orange to get all of the parts (or rather the correct parts- the counter guy screwed up about 1/2 of my order including giving me a Chevy glove box rather than a GMC one.)

I decided to take it to bare metal- do a little straightening work on it and clear coat it til I figure out what color everything's going to be. All of the "non showing" parts were sprayed satin black.

Sorry for the crappy phone pic- it's the only camera I have at present.

[4dranch]

Looks good.... really looks good with out the push bar..