GMC Reproduction grille quality?

[leddzepp]

Did a search on here and came up empty. Looking for real world experiences with reproduction GMC grilles. I have been looking for a replacement for my 71 K2500 and have no problem finding a used OEM grille that is fairly straight, but they all need re-chroming which is cost prohibitive for me. The reproductions are not cheap by any means, but still substantially less than having an oem restored AND rechromed. Anyone use one? Thanks!

['68OrangeSunshine]

Why not go with a '67 look and paint it?

[leddzepp]

I want to stick with the original look.

[BRL]

Not exactly a reproduction GMC but you get the idea...

Since I"m not worried about strict originally or winning a trophy somewhere, I'm happy enough with my reproduction I installed about 20 years ago.

...oh look, Front End Friday already!

[rharris]

I picked up a counterpart grille for my 71 gmc at Carlisle a few years back. It looked good, sold the truck before I got it installed.

[special-K]

I know of a member here, involved in the business, who used a repro '67 grille in his very pleasing to the eye Fenderside. I don't now if it slipped in place using just two fingers or if it was hammered in using a sledge hammer but it looks great now. I remember people b!+ch!n about the fit when they came out but havn't heard any since. Could it be high expectations, other parts that weren't right, lack of skills... I'd be curious to know the quality from actual users myself

[Blue GMC]

I have a repop 67 gmc crome grill on mine. It has held up well for 7 years and looks good. There is an area below the headlamp buckets that there is a small gap. Honestly don't know if it's me or the part that is off. Never bothered me too bad just afraid to mess with it more and screw up the paint. Will try and get photos this weekend.

[tim71]

I purchased a repro grill for my 71 K1500 build. Lot of fit issues, but the final result doesn't look to bad. I think the gap between the hood and grill is larger than original, but I'm not sure as my truck was apart long enough that I can't remember what the original gap looked like. I took a lot of pictures before I tore truck apart, but unfortuneately, no picture of that gap. Everything is new repro parts (eyebrows,headlight bezels,top grill bar) and none of it fit correctly or easily. Even the repro front bumper took some massaging.

[painterljp]

Dont know about re-pop grills at all. We had on in our 68 re-chromed and it was cheaper than buying a new repro one. Think it was 300. But ours was steel.

Do know another member in here that has one that I've seen in person and it looks to have been re-chromed already. Black paint is gone but that could be added back. . Dont know if he wants me advertising for him PM me and I will send you his number if your interested in that.

[Blue GMC]

Here is a few shots of mine tried to get the area with the gap.

[leddzepp]

Thanks for the input and the pics! Real world experience really helps with my decision. Based on the pics and feedback above I decided it would be best to go with an OEM. I went ahead and bought a super clean original just now with no dings or damage at all. I think if I hit it with some bronze wool and polish it up, it will work fine for me. Most of it is painted black anyways and that is easy to re-spray. The top bar actually still shines like new

[special-K]

Nice find. I buy them when I see them. Haven't been seeing any for quite a while