Replacing 72 outer grill, What kinda project? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Vanhalen1985 · 04-01-2012, 10:30 PM

Would I have to remove/loosen the fenders? I'm not a body man but would sure like to give my truck a new outer grill without taking to a body shop. I'm leary of messing up the lines on my truck if I have to mess with the fenders.

67swb72klb · 04-01-2012, 10:38 PM

shouldnt have to i think u need to get the front bumper off though good luck

**oldgold70c10** · 04-01-2012, 10:53 PM

It will be a lot easier to do with the bumper off. That said, those bumper bolts will likely not want to come off unless you've recently had it off. Just remember when putting the bumper back on with the new bolts that never-seize is your friend!

MikeyMan · 04-04-2012, 05:18 AM

I'm interested in this too. I have a good used complete inner/outer grill that I want to swap on the 72 I'm working on. It appears to me that there are 4 bolts to the fenders on each side, and a couple through the hood latch, and a couple screws to the hood latch brace. I figured I could pull out the old grill and then replace with the complete unit, without removing the bumper or loosening the fenders.

Can this be done without removing the bumper?

**special-K** · 04-04-2012, 05:49 AM

A grille can be replaced with the bumper on. But,it's hard to do without scratching some paint on the fenders. With good original paint I never have a problem,but most repaints scratch 10x easier.

rsavage · 04-04-2012, 07:24 AM

If it's an original grill in the truck, it will have 4 rivets that need to be drilled out (2 on each side) on the bottom if the grill brackets are being left on the truck. There are also rivets to drill out on top by the hood bumpers which also have to be removed, and the face of the grill. The hood latch will have to be loosened for the shell to slide out and then back in. Much easier with bumper off. Use blue tape along fronts of fenders (edges) and fender cups (for when you remove and re-install the bumper). If your inner grill hardware (screws, metal rectangular washers, and plastic inserts) aren't in good shape, you might want to buy a new inner grill install kit for re-installing inner to your new outer.

MikeyMan · 04-04-2012, 01:55 PM

My used replacement grill unit is complete with the grill brackets and hood bumpers. I won't have to drill out any rivets, just un-bolt. Removing the bumper would be a deal breaker.

AirSpeed · 04-04-2012, 02:16 PM

The only problem I had was getting to the two nuts on the trim pieces that mount to the front edge of the fenders, I think they are 3/8" nuts. I finally used a deep socket and a u joint to get them off. The rest of the R&R was easy.
Posted via Mobile Device
Posted via Mobile Device

04-01-2012, 10:30 PM	#1
Vanhalen1985 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Tucson Posts: 53	Replacing 72 outer grill, What kinda project? Would I have to remove/loosen the fenders? I'm not a body man but would sure like to give my truck a new outer grill without taking to a body shop. I'm leary of messing up the lines on my truck if I have to mess with the fenders.

04-01-2012, 10:38 PM	#2
67swb72klb Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: livingston co.mi Posts: 2,452	Re: Replacing 72 outer grill, What kinda project? shouldnt have to i think u need to get the front bumper off though good luck __________________ California 65 GTO---Texas 64 burb 283 ---Oklahoma 67 CST SWB BBW wood bed 327 2004r---New Mexico 72 k10 350 350 auto---Georga 72 short step project

04-01-2012, 10:53 PM	#3
oldgold70c10 Who's got steelies? Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Morrison, Oklahoma Posts: 1,026	Re: Replacing 72 outer grill, What kinda project? It will be a lot easier to do with the bumper off. That said, those bumper bolts will likely not want to come off unless you've recently had it off. Just remember when putting the bumper back on with the new bolts that never-seize is your friend! __________________ 1969 C10 LWB W/ 250 I6 & 3spd 1970 C10 with '67 small window cab, 68 front end, blue; 305/TH350, 3.08 limited slip rear end, manual brakes, power steering; & 4-wheel drums-My daily driver. 1975 Chevelle Malibu Classic Coupe 350/th350 mint green 1970 C20 Suburban 350/700R4 4.10 gearing green & white 1978 Big 10 Silverado 350/th350, working ac, 2 tone blue-My summer daily driver 1983 GMC 1500 Sierra 305/SM465 2.73 rear end How to add a trip odometer to your 67-72 stock speedometer How to rebuild your Q-Jet My Truck Page My Youtube Channel

04-04-2012, 05:18 AM	#4
MikeyMan Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.W. Chicago, IL. Posts: 317	Re: Replacing 72 outer grill, What kinda project? I'm interested in this too. I have a good used complete inner/outer grill that I want to swap on the 72 I'm working on. It appears to me that there are 4 bolts to the fenders on each side, and a couple through the hood latch, and a couple screws to the hood latch brace. I figured I could pull out the old grill and then replace with the complete unit, without removing the bumper or loosening the fenders. Can this be done without removing the bumper?

04-04-2012, 05:49 AM	#5
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: Replacing 72 outer grill, What kinda project? A grille can be replaced with the bumper on. But,it's hard to do without scratching some paint on the fenders. With good original paint I never have a problem,but most repaints scratch 10x easier. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

04-04-2012, 07:24 AM	#6
rsavage Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Alden NY Posts: 2,705	Re: Replacing 72 outer grill, What kinda project? If it's an original grill in the truck, it will have 4 rivets that need to be drilled out (2 on each side) on the bottom if the grill brackets are being left on the truck. There are also rivets to drill out on top by the hood bumpers which also have to be removed, and the face of the grill. The hood latch will have to be loosened for the shell to slide out and then back in. Much easier with bumper off. Use blue tape along fronts of fenders (edges) and fender cups (for when you remove and re-install the bumper). If your inner grill hardware (screws, metal rectangular washers, and plastic inserts) aren't in good shape, you might want to buy a new inner grill install kit for re-installing inner to your new outer. __________________ 1961 C1 Corvette 1959 El Camino 350 TPI, 9" 4 w disc 69 Blazer K5 - sold July '20 2021 Durango RT 5.7

04-04-2012, 01:55 PM	#7
MikeyMan Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.W. Chicago, IL. Posts: 317	Re: Replacing 72 outer grill, What kinda project? My used replacement grill unit is complete with the grill brackets and hood bumpers. I won't have to drill out any rivets, just un-bolt. Removing the bumper would be a deal breaker.

04-04-2012, 02:16 PM	#8
AirSpeed Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fall River California Posts: 2,026	Re: Replacing 72 outer grill, What kinda project? The only problem I had was getting to the two nuts on the trim pieces that mount to the front edge of the fenders, I think they are 3/8" nuts. I finally used a deep socket and a u joint to get them off. The rest of the R&R was easy. Posted via Mobile Device Posted via Mobile Device



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.