Would a 70 grill in a 72 LOOK wrong?

[fun in dirt]

Building a '72 K20 & have always drooled over the 2 tones with white in middle. Pic here is what I have printed out & taped to our shop fridge for motivation to keep moving ahead on this project. However, I do not have a good '72 grill to use, but this weekend acquired a really nice factory '70 grill. Would a '70 grill look totally wrong being this 2 tone style wasn't offered then? Or should I try to swap someone for a '72 grill?

[kwmech]

It'll look fine. If that's what I had to work with It would already be done

[palallin]

I have a '71/'72 bumper on my '69, which has the same effect. I like it.

[Ol Blue K20]

It would only be noticed by someone that's knowledgeable about this group of trucks. In my opinion, it will look just fine. Go for it!!!

[sick472]

I really like the earlier grills. I also like the 71/72's. In your postion the earlier grill would go on given no fitment issues. Here's a visual borrowed from the web...

[Sheepdip]

Here's a 70 GMC with Chevy fenders, radiator support and bumper, 72 grill surround, after market grill installed by the previous owner that you had to lay on the ground and reach up to open the hood and had no front turn signals.

I added homemade front center bar, turn signals, GMC logo, I also cut and framed a window to open the hood standing up! What a novel idea!

It's my truck I did what I wanted and don't give a rats a** if anyone else approves or not.

Do want you want with it.

[toolboxchev]

Originally Posted by Sheepdip

Here's a 70 GMC with Chevy fenders, radiator support and bumper, 72 grill surround, after market grill installed by the previous owner that you had to lay on the ground and reach up to open the hood and had no front turn signals.

I added homemade front center bar, turn signals, GMC logo, I also cut and framed a window to open the hood standing up! What a novel idea!

It's my truck I did what I wanted and don't give a rats a** if anyone else approves or not.

Do want you want with it.

The turn signal light holes in the bumper would be a great place to put some custom fog lights.

I'm with the above poster, It only has to make one person happy. Unless you plan on driving it for a while then sell it.

[Stocker]

All good input above. You already have a nice '70 grille. It's gonna look great on your truck!

[special-K]

I put a NOS '70 grille in a '71 K/20 I had a snow plow mounted on. The front bumper I had fabricated from 2 x 6 steel tube and I needed turn signals. It wasn't a trimmed and 2-tone truck, so it just looked like a '70 (Medium Olive Poly)

[Boog]

There are a couple of differences to be aware of though. The hood latch is different between 69-70 and 71-72. The release lever is centered on the 71-72 and offset on the 69-70. It only makes a difference in where the opening is in the grille to reach the lever. Also I believe the center grille support is different.

[weeble]

I prefer the 70 grille to the 71-72 so I put one on my 71 and it looks great. There is an issue with the hood latch but, and forgive me, because I cant remember where I bought it but it came with a rod that you attach to the hood latch and it comes down behind the bumper that you can push up on to release the hood latch. Its a little bit annoying but worth it to me.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by Boog

There are a couple of differences to be aware of though. The hood latch is different between 69-70 and 71-72. The release lever is centered on the 71-72 and offset on the 69-70. It only makes a difference in where the opening is in the grille to reach the lever. Also I believe the center grille support is different.

Don't forget the bow tie missing on a 72 hood. GM spent countless hours for aesthetics, now everyone wants to change things because they somehow know better

Just kidding, beauty is in the eye.....plus 70 grilles are nice.

[68panelman]

It only looks wrong when the 71-72 bumper stays on.

[Nitis]

In the end it’s all personal preference

I will say there’s several things that I’ve seen people do that really jump out at me more than others. Mainly do the paint scheme you are wanting but not painting the cab white.

[HO455]

You could post your 70 grille in the classifieds looking to trade it for a 72 grille. You might get lucky.

[Pearly72]

Originally Posted by Boog

There are a couple of differences to be aware of though. The hood latch is different between 69-70 and 71-72. The release lever is centered on the 71-72 and offset on the 69-70. It only makes a difference in where the opening is in the grille to reach the lever. Also I believe the center grille support is different.

I’m not 100% positive if the 70 grille also has different brackets than the 71/72... just make sure you use your original ones maybe. I know that the 68/69 have different brackets. Boog, did you use your original side brackets?

I’d hate for you to be ready to put it on and realize the last minute when you do your swap.

[rsavage]

I'm pretty sure that you will need the 69-70 center grille support and latch. If your '70 grille didn't come with the parking/turn signal lights, you'll need them to fill those holes. I think the '69/70 grilles are the best looking for '69-'72. Good luck with your changeover.