Grille change?

[EvenX82]

I have a 54 GMC 1/2 ton. Can i swap the grille and use a grille from a 50 model Chevy or will I have to replace inner and outer fenders as well? I know I will have to get a different hood as well.

[BigBlocksRule]

You'll have to swap the whole front clip, sheet metal is different. I have a '54 GMC in pieces, hope to get around to the build one day. I like the gauge clusters in the GMC better than the Chevy, much easier to retrofit with more reliable aftermarket gauges.

[EvenX82]

Thanks for the quick response. I was afraid I would have to swap everything. Well... better start saving up for that then.

[fredscarryall]

you could save yourself alot of time,money and headaches. by using your existing 54 front end and fill in the notches in the front fenders behind the turn signals or (use 48 to 53 gmc fenders depending how hard they are to find in your area). then get rid of the 54 mustache and use the 48 to 53. after that put 54 center grill in because the center in the same 48-54.then you can do different color and chrome combos or even remove some cross bars in the center.just an idea i wish i would have done instead of doing the gmc to chevy conversion

[EvenX82]

Thanks for the idea and actually that blue and green GMC is pretty sweet.. may change my mind about the swap after seeing that pic. and i would want to lower the truck but not have it sitting on the ground

[solidaxel]

If the one you have is straight one, clean it up and paint it, 54 & 551st series are one year (15 Months) only

[EvenX82]

well seems someone has stolen my 54 grille assembly... as far as i can tell thats the only thing they have stolen. any leads on where i can find a 48 3 bar grille like the blue and green GMC? all i have been able to find are the 4 bar grilles.

[fredscarryall]

i have never seen a factory gmc three bar. the one in the picture had a couple bars removed.

[fredscarryall]

the top bar stays where its at and the bottom bars where removed. two bars where put back and spread apart to look even.

[EvenX82]

this is few pics of a 48 3 bar grille.. same used in the blue and green GMC. Looks like he did remove and replace a few of the bars tho... but iv had no luck locating one.

[fredscarryall]

just when i thought i saw it all. my buddy parts them out so i have seen about 20 different gmc in the past 3 years. every gmc truck i have seen all 4 bars in the center are removable, counting the top. the one in the picture has a non removable top bar. it must be an early truck. does anyone know what year has the solid top bar? i asked another one of my friends. he says they put the the grille with the solid bar an 1 1/2,2 ton and coes. the one in the picture has a 8 lug bolt pattern.

[EvenX82]

i have only seen this type grille in the 47 and 48 1/2 ton yr models... the difference that i see is the 1/2 tons used the 3 bar grill with a non removable top bar and the 1 1/2 and 2 tons use a non removable top bar and 4 other removable bars. could be that they just did a grille swap and modified it and these only came on the 1 1/2, 2 ton, and coe's... its still the grille im lookin for.

[fredscarryall]

here some pics.looks like they all have a solid top bar and 4 removable bars. they are also taller and you may be able to cut them down. the coe seems to be a little different .i sure there are other gmc with the 3 removable bars, but i dont know. this is what i could come up with. i hope this helps. i diffently like the one with the solid top and 3 removable bars alot.my next gmc will diffently have that grille

[EvenX82]

yeah i think its a cool lookin grille.. im just havin problems finding on so far.. and all the websites like LMC and others all the the regular 4 bar grille only. hopefully ill come across 1 sometime soon b/c im fixin to get started on my project