Custom 77-80 GMC grill - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Pyrotechnic · 08-18-2009, 07:09 PM

My stock grill was starting to look pretty weathered. It was all there and crack free, but it really needed to be taken out the elements and restored. My dad had the idea of buying one of these generic Chevy grills without the logo to put in the truck until we restored the original. To make it look right, we fitted a GMC logo into the center.

I still like the stock grill better, but I thought the new one turned out pretty well ? I think it will look good until we can restore the original.

Before: This was 2 years ago, before the Texas sun destroyed my paint. The grill is still mostly silver here, now it is more yellow.

After: Texas sun killed my paint. New grill.

How does it look ?

**78 Big10 454** · 08-18-2009, 07:29 PM

Pyro, I've always been a fan of the stock grills on our trucks. By the way, that's a nice lookin' ride you've got.

**N2TRUX** · 08-18-2009, 07:40 PM

Looks good to me...

silvereagle07 · 08-18-2009, 08:42 PM

I like the new grille and the headlamps too.

TexasJeff · 08-19-2009, 06:46 AM

Pyro, I love the look, looks almost stock and most people will never know the difference until you get the stock one restored and looking good again.
I have collected about 5 GMC grills for the 79,80 model years, trying to find a decent one. I have cut and glued really bad ones to fix okay ones, the hard part is getting paint to stick that old plastic.

JohnC · 08-19-2009, 08:10 AM

I think it looks pretty good too. The GMC emblem really sets it off. It fits it pretty well.

Driveway Dreams · 08-19-2009, 01:22 PM

I like the look of that even more than the original one. Are you dead set on a original resto? If not, I say keep that. It looks great! You think Texas sun kills paint jobs? Try it at a mile high or more. The suns rays kill clear coat, especially cheap ones, up here.

77BBGMC · 08-19-2009, 01:55 PM

I have a 77 as well and was thinking about putting the Chevy grille in it, mine has a square tube chrome that was installed in 1982.

I bid on a chrome NOS grille on ebay a few weeks back and it went for more than I wanted to spend $302.50. Grille looked great. I wish somebody offered a reproduction grille on the 77-80 GMC. I've seen pictures of the one LMC offers, I'd like to see one in person to see how good it looks.

Does anybody have pictures of what the factory grille options were on the 77-80 GMC models...I've done a search with no luck.

Pyrotechnic · 08-20-2009, 02:29 PM

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. Glad to hear that everyone likes it.

TexasJeff - Did you find a good way to get the paint to stick ? The plastic on mine is kinda rough, as if the elements were eroding it. It either needs to be sanded and smoothed, or maybe even a skim coat of body filler laid over it.

Driveway Dreams - I can believe that. I was in Colorado about a month ago and got sunburned. Caught me off guard because I usually don't get sunburned here.

77BBGMC - Don't know of any repro's of the factory grill. For 77-80 grill choices I have seen the one that you see in my first pic, and the other being the same grill with metal trim pieces stuck on the center bar. Seems like the high end Sierra Classic trim level got it.

TexasJeff · 08-21-2009, 06:51 AM

Pyro, no I have not, right now mine needs painting again. I have bought some of the Krylon plastic paint to try this time, and maybe a little more prep work before I paint this time, little sanding, and lots of cleaning, hopefully that will work.

ga martin · 05-24-2011, 06:31 PM

where id you get chey grill and especially gmc logo? had mine out painting it dropped and busted it . also how do you open hood?

*78 Chevyrado* · 05-24-2011, 09:33 PM

I like it! Trying to put a bowtie on one of those grilles always looks funny, but you GMC have it lucky, as they work out MUCH better. Looks like it's supposed to be there.

motornut · 05-24-2011, 10:02 PM

looks very nice
the newer one looks maybe a little shiney-er
before learning what "stock" really is here, i would have prob guess it for stock tho,

big10ratrod77 · 05-25-2011, 07:47 AM

man that a nice lookin grill ide like to find a new grill for one of my old blue trucks

Pyrotechnic · 05-27-2011, 03:48 AM

Whoa I didn't even know this had been brought back to the top. Thanks for the positive feedback everyone!

Jamie McDavid · 07-16-2011, 09:43 AM

Looks great man! I'm looking for a factory GMC grille like the one in your first pick for my 79 Sierra. Do you know were I could find one? Mine has about had it but I have plastic welded it to hold out until maybe I could find another like it.

sethv · 07-16-2011, 01:43 PM

I like it!

motornut · 07-18-2011, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77BBGMC

I have a 77 as well and was thinking about putting the Chevy grille in it, mine has a square tube chrome that was installed in 1982.

I bid on a chrome NOS grille on ebay a few weeks back and it went for more than I wanted to spend $302.50. Grille looked great. I wish somebody offered a reproduction grille on the 77-80 GMC. I've seen pictures of the one LMC offers, I'd like to see one in person to see how good it looks.

Does anybody have pictures of what the factory grille options were on the 77-80 GMC models...I've done a search with no luck.

found this cool pic here and it covers some differences

bwhit10 · 02-25-2013, 05:31 PM

Do they even make a repop grille for a 79 GMC or is it the same a chevy repop grills? If so, would the mounting be the same?

Gigem · 02-25-2013, 05:59 PM

Hey, my grill/front end looks like a hybrid of 1980 and 1977-1979 to me. 1980 grill with 1977-1979 headlights... I believe these parts to all be original...

Any ideas on how to restore the "bowtie" on the grill?

bwhit10 · 02-25-2013, 08:01 PM

There is a NOS bowtie on ebay right now.. but way expensive

Sabaka454 · 02-25-2013, 08:04 PM

Looks good although I do like the GMC grilles better especially 73-74

08-18-2009, 07:09 PM	#1
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	Custom 77-80 GMC grill My stock grill was starting to look pretty weathered. It was all there and crack free, but it really needed to be taken out the elements and restored. My dad had the idea of buying one of these generic Chevy grills without the logo to put in the truck until we restored the original. To make it look right, we fitted a GMC logo into the center. I still like the stock grill better, but I thought the new one turned out pretty well ? I think it will look good until we can restore the original. Before: This was 2 years ago, before the Texas sun destroyed my paint. The grill is still mostly silver here, now it is more yellow. After: Texas sun killed my paint. New grill. How does it look ? __________________ 1977 GMC Sierra Grande Last edited by Pyrotechnic; 08-18-2009 at 07:10 PM.

08-18-2009, 07:29 PM	#2
78 Big10 454 78 Big10 454 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pismo Beach, CA Posts: 838	Re: Custom 77-80 GMC grill Pyro, I've always been a fan of the stock grills on our trucks. By the way, that's a nice lookin' ride you've got.

08-18-2009, 07:40 PM	#3
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: Custom 77-80 GMC grill Looks good to me... __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

08-18-2009, 08:42 PM	#4
silvereagle07 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bailey, NC Posts: 2,462	Re: Custom 77-80 GMC grill I like the new grille and the headlamps too. __________________ Jeramy '84 GMC project truck '85 Chevy 4X4 SOLD '07 Chevy Trailblazer SS 5th Annual SHPHC Car/Truck Show Pics http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=543605 UPDATED PICS! CHECK 'EM OUT

08-19-2009, 06:46 AM	#5
TexasJeff Don't Crush em Restore em Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pinehurst, Texas Posts: 764	Re: Custom 77-80 GMC grill Pyro, I love the look, looks almost stock and most people will never know the difference until you get the stock one restored and looking good again. I have collected about 5 GMC grills for the 79,80 model years, trying to find a decent one. I have cut and glued really bad ones to fix okay ones, the hard part is getting paint to stick that old plastic. __________________ TexasJeff 2009 Silver with Linen Interior Cadillac DTS 1990 Red with White Top and Interior Ford Mustang GT convertible 1998 Red with Gray Interior, C3500 Chevy Crew Cab Dually

08-19-2009, 08:10 AM	#6
JohnC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 7,461	Re: Custom 77-80 GMC grill I think it looks pretty good too. The GMC emblem really sets it off. It fits it pretty well.

08-19-2009, 01:22 PM	#7
Driveway Dreams I have car A.D.D. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greeley, Northern Colorado Posts: 4,147	Re: Custom 77-80 GMC grill I like the look of that even more than the original one. Are you dead set on a original resto? If not, I say keep that. It looks great! You think Texas sun kills paint jobs? Try it at a mile high or more. The suns rays kill clear coat, especially cheap ones, up here. __________________ -Gerald Building vehicles in memory of the first "car guy" I ever knew, my Grandpa. Bob Dunham 1935-2009. Rest in peace. 61 GMC Suburban SOLD The 86 build thread SOLD Are you a Colorado member?Click here.

08-19-2009, 01:55 PM	#8
77BBGMC Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 357	Re: Custom 77-80 GMC grill I have a 77 as well and was thinking about putting the Chevy grille in it, mine has a square tube chrome that was installed in 1982. I bid on a chrome NOS grille on ebay a few weeks back and it went for more than I wanted to spend $302.50. Grille looked great. I wish somebody offered a reproduction grille on the 77-80 GMC. I've seen pictures of the one LMC offers, I'd like to see one in person to see how good it looks. Does anybody have pictures of what the factory grille options were on the 77-80 GMC models...I've done a search with no luck.

08-20-2009, 02:29 PM	#9
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	Re: Custom 77-80 GMC grill Thanks to everyone for the feedback. Glad to hear that everyone likes it. TexasJeff - Did you find a good way to get the paint to stick ? The plastic on mine is kinda rough, as if the elements were eroding it. It either needs to be sanded and smoothed, or maybe even a skim coat of body filler laid over it. Driveway Dreams - I can believe that. I was in Colorado about a month ago and got sunburned. Caught me off guard because I usually don't get sunburned here. 77BBGMC - Don't know of any repro's of the factory grill. For 77-80 grill choices I have seen the one that you see in my first pic, and the other being the same grill with metal trim pieces stuck on the center bar. Seems like the high end Sierra Classic trim level got it. __________________ 1977 GMC Sierra Grande

08-21-2009, 06:51 AM	#10
TexasJeff Don't Crush em Restore em Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pinehurst, Texas Posts: 764	Re: Custom 77-80 GMC grill Pyro, no I have not, right now mine needs painting again. I have bought some of the Krylon plastic paint to try this time, and maybe a little more prep work before I paint this time, little sanding, and lots of cleaning, hopefully that will work. __________________ TexasJeff 2009 Silver with Linen Interior Cadillac DTS 1990 Red with White Top and Interior Ford Mustang GT convertible 1998 Red with Gray Interior, C3500 Chevy Crew Cab Dually

05-24-2011, 06:31 PM	#11
ga martin Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: liberty,sc Posts: 1	Re: Custom 77-80 GMC grill where id you get chey grill and especially gmc logo? had mine out painting it dropped and busted it . also how do you open hood?

05-24-2011, 09:33 PM	#12
78 Chevyrado Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Unnapreciative, Trollville Posts: 2,079	Re: Custom 77-80 GMC grill I like it! Trying to put a bowtie on one of those grilles always looks funny, but you GMC have it lucky, as they work out MUCH better. Looks like it's supposed to be there.

05-24-2011, 10:02 PM	#13
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: Custom 77-80 GMC grill looks very nice the newer one looks maybe a little shiney-er before learning what "stock" really is here, i would have prob guess it for stock tho, __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

05-25-2011, 07:47 AM	#14
big10ratrod77 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: hillborough nc Posts: 410	Re: Custom 77-80 GMC grill man that a nice lookin grill ide like to find a new grill for one of my old blue trucks __________________ 77 chevy BIG 10 350/sm465/12bolt w 3.73 bout 240 horse power NO power steerin 79 chevy 1/2 ton 250/three on the tree/3.08s soon to get built 250/floor shift conversion/3.08s 81 mercedes 300d 25 MPG 77 chevy BIG DOOLEY 454/sm-465/14 bolt 4.10s "fully loaded" 73 plymouth duster 225 slant six/230 3 speed/8 1/4 trying to acheve 300 horse six http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3135091 '77 chevy trucks. built to stay tough. life is short build a hot rod Last edited by big10ratrod77; 05-27-2011 at 06:34 AM.

05-27-2011, 03:48 AM	#15
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	Re: Custom 77-80 GMC grill Whoa I didn't even know this had been brought back to the top. Thanks for the positive feedback everyone! __________________ 1977 GMC Sierra Grande



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07-16-2011, 09:43 AM	#16
Jamie McDavid Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 93	Re: Custom 77-80 GMC grill Looks great man! I'm looking for a factory GMC grille like the one in your first pick for my 79 Sierra. Do you know were I could find one? Mine has about had it but I have plastic welded it to hold out until maybe I could find another like it. __________________ White Lightning

07-16-2011, 01:43 PM	#17
sethv Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Bradford, PA Posts: 395	Re: Custom 77-80 GMC grill I like it! __________________ 1981 K10 Scottsdale 305 ci \| TH350 \| NP208 \| 60k miles

02-25-2013, 05:31 PM	#19
bwhit10 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ottawa,Ks Posts: 24	Re: Custom 77-80 GMC grill Do they even make a repop grille for a 79 GMC or is it the same a chevy repop grills? If so, would the mounting be the same?

02-25-2013, 05:59 PM	#20
Gigem Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Lakeway, TX Posts: 335	Re: Custom 77-80 GMC grill Hey, my grill/front end looks like a hybrid of 1980 and 1977-1979 to me. 1980 grill with 1977-1979 headlights... I believe these parts to all be original... Any ideas on how to restore the "bowtie" on the grill? __________________ 1972 GMC Sierra Grande (current truck) 1980 Chevy Stepside (gone) 1987 Chevy Blazer (gone) 1972 Chevelle SS Convertible (gone) 1973 Chevy Corvette (gone) 1967 Chevy Camaro (STOLEN!)

02-25-2013, 08:01 PM	#21
bwhit10 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ottawa,Ks Posts: 24	Re: Custom 77-80 GMC grill There is a NOS bowtie on ebay right now.. but way expensive

02-25-2013, 08:04 PM	#22
Sabaka454 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CT Posts: 277	Re: Custom 77-80 GMC grill Looks good although I do like the GMC grilles better especially 73-74

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