47-55.1 Lower Rad/Grill Support Valance - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Driver_WT · 12-01-2019, 11:17 PM

I am missing the lower rad/grill valance from my 1953 Chevy Truck. This part
https://www.bobschevytrucks.com/1947...l-846-106.html

Is it possible to use this part when I am using an S10 chassis? Is this part important/required?

It did not come with my truck.

thanks.

Wade

MiraclePieCo · 12-02-2019, 12:10 AM

That part is more important than people realize. It deflects air upward into the radiator and is a necessary part of the entire airflow system.

I used one on my S10 conversion but had to cut it pretty severely to fit. To keep the integrity of the airflow I filled in the gap with a vinyl truck mudflap:

Driver_WT · 12-02-2019, 09:20 AM

Thank you. Makes sense for airflow. I will see if I can fabricate something to make sure the airflow goes through the rad.

Wade

**oldman3** · 12-02-2019, 10:32 AM

Hey Wade, here's a link to Russ's (joedoe) build and how he makes the panel. Starts at post #143, hope it helps...Jim http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=782525&page=6

Driver_WT · 12-02-2019, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldman3

Hey Wade, here's a link to Russ's (joedoe) build and how he makes the panel. Starts at post #143, hope it helps...Jim http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=782525&page=6

Thanks Jim. Greatly appreciated. I learned about a new material from that post too (Kydex) - I will have to check that out.

Wade

65blackfleetside · 12-02-2019, 08:45 PM

I too made that panel for my s10 frame build. I used a very hard Polycarbonate called Lexan. Picked up a piece 24"x 50" for under 20 bucks at a local surplus store. It was white. Very easy to cut with my jig saw. Then just used a black rattle can of VHT Paint made for plastics. Advanced sells it. Installed it looks factory.

You could buy that metal OEM style valance but you are just going to hack it all up to fit the S10 frame.

Driver_WT · 12-02-2019, 10:03 PM

Thanks for the input. I am going to make my own.

Wade

**mr48chev** · 12-02-2019, 11:47 PM

As Miricalpieco said about his, you have to do so much trimming to fit with a subframe swap or with the S-10 swaps where the cab doesn't sit six inches or so off the frame rails that it isn't worth the cost of buying a new one to cut up. The piece not only directs air flow though the radiator rather than under the truck it also adds a big part of the structural integrity to the front end with the stiffness it adds.

**joedoh** · 12-03-2019, 10:25 PM

this is now much needs trimmed, it isnt "so much" that anything loses integrity, especially with my outrigger style of mounting the front end (on rubber mounts) instead of center mounting.

I was just under it tonight and I made note that it could be trimmed even less, and will be on the next.

whitedog76 · 12-05-2019, 12:26 AM

Did all AD trucks come with the lower valance? I know on the two 54's I've owned, neither one has had one. I've looked at a few earlier trucks that didn't have it either.

12-02-2019, 12:10 AM	#2
MiraclePieCo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: USA Posts: 2,249	Re: Lower Rad/Grill Support Valance That part is more important than people realize. It deflects air upward into the radiator and is a necessary part of the entire airflow system. I used one on my S10 conversion but had to cut it pretty severely to fit. To keep the integrity of the airflow I filled in the gap with a vinyl truck mudflap: Attached Images __________________ 1951 Chevy Panel Truck Last edited by MiraclePieCo; 12-02-2019 at 02:20 AM.

12-02-2019, 09:20 AM	#3
Driver_WT Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: River John, NS Posts: 448	Re: Lower Rad/Grill Support Valance Thank you. Makes sense for airflow. I will see if I can fabricate something to make sure the airflow goes through the rad. Wade __________________ 53 Chevy 3100, SBC 355, 700R4, S10 frame, Ford 8.8 rear with 4.11 gears, front disc & rear drum brakes

12-02-2019, 10:32 AM	#4
oldman3 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: West Plains, Missouri Posts: 7,559	Re: Lower Rad/Grill Support Valance Hey Wade, here's a link to Russ's (joedoe) build and how he makes the panel. Starts at post #143, hope it helps...Jim http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=782525&page=6 __________________ my build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=459839 Jimbo's long bed step build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...t=464626<br />

12-02-2019, 08:45 PM	#6
65blackfleetside Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Central Florida Posts: 215	Re: Lower Rad/Grill Support Valance I too made that panel for my s10 frame build. I used a very hard Polycarbonate called Lexan. Picked up a piece 24"x 50" for under 20 bucks at a local surplus store. It was white. Very easy to cut with my jig saw. Then just used a black rattle can of VHT Paint made for plastics. Advanced sells it. Installed it looks factory. You could buy that metal OEM style valance but you are just going to hack it all up to fit the S10 frame. __________________ current ride 1951 AD Chevy 5 window 2004 LS Gen 3 [/B] 1965 fleetside Sold

12-02-2019, 10:03 PM	#7
Driver_WT Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: River John, NS Posts: 448	Re: Lower Rad/Grill Support Valance Thanks for the input. I am going to make my own. Wade __________________ 53 Chevy 3100, SBC 355, 700R4, S10 frame, Ford 8.8 rear with 4.11 gears, front disc & rear drum brakes

12-01-2019, 11:17 PM	#1
Driver_WT Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: River John, NS Posts: 448	Lower Rad/Grill Support Valance I am missing the lower rad/grill valance from my 1953 Chevy Truck. This part https://www.bobschevytrucks.com/1947...l-846-106.html Is it possible to use this part when I am using an S10 chassis? Is this part important/required? It did not come with my truck. thanks. Wade __________________ 53 Chevy 3100, SBC 355, 700R4, S10 frame, Ford 8.8 rear with 4.11 gears, front disc & rear drum brakes

12-02-2019, 11:47 PM	#8
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,705	Re: Lower Rad/Grill Support Valance As Miricalpieco said about his, you have to do so much trimming to fit with a subframe swap or with the S-10 swaps where the cab doesn't sit six inches or so off the frame rails that it isn't worth the cost of buying a new one to cut up. The piece not only directs air flow though the radiator rather than under the truck it also adds a big part of the structural integrity to the front end with the stiffness it adds. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

12-03-2019, 10:25 PM	#9
joedoh Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Doodah Kansas Posts: 7,774	Re: Lower Rad/Grill Support Valance this is now much needs trimmed, it isnt "so much" that anything loses integrity, especially with my outrigger style of mounting the front end (on rubber mounts) instead of center mounting. I was just under it tonight and I made note that it could be trimmed even less, and will be on the next. __________________ the mass of men live lives of quiet desperation if there is a problem, I can have it. new project WAYNE http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=844393

12-05-2019, 12:26 AM	#10
whitedog76 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 1,450	Re: Lower Rad/Grill Support Valance Did all AD trucks come with the lower valance? I know on the two 54's I've owned, neither one has had one. I've looked at a few earlier trucks that didn't have it either.



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