Grille Swap (GMC to Chevy)

[firebane]

I've tried to find definitive answers on this but information seems to be scattered all over.

My truck is a 1974 GMC with a 1976 GMC grille. I picked up a couple of 1980 grills for really cheap and want to swap it on. When I went to try to fit it the shape fits in the hole but no screws will line up and I can't bolt it up.

Was there different bracketry for the various years and was there a difference in how GMC vs Chevy grilles mounted?

 

[firebane]

It seems that for the sides there is different brackets to use which look like these:

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[bucket]

Sure you have a '76 grille currently? Pretty durn sure that '75-'80 grille mounting is all the same.

 

[firebane]

This is the GMC grill I have and this is the Chev grill I have..

 

[firebane]

Also makes me wonder if perhaps there was mounting differences between Chevy and GMC with these trucks that most people aren't aware of.

 

[bucket]

That could be. I've never swapped out a '75-'76 GMC grille. BUT, I have mixed and matched '75-'80 Chevy grilles with '77-'80 GMC grilles. And I know that '73-'74 Chevy and GMC mounts are the same. So if GMC ever had a variance from the Chevy grille as far as mounting location, it would ONLY be the '75-'76 model year.

 

[bucket]

BTW, of the GMC grilles, the style you currently have is the only one I'm fond of. Not trying to sway you, just mentioning it.

 

[firebane]

So.. as figured the braces are in fact different. The reasoning for this is the GMC grilles are generally deeper where the Chevy grilles are shallower.

Here are the two different types of braces .. One is for GMC one is for Chevy.

 

[bucket]

So are those '75-'76 GMC mounts the same as the '73-'74 Chevy/GMC mounts? They kinda look like it I think.

 

[firebane]

One more to add to this crazy pile.. The release mechanism is ALSO different because of the upper opening.

Bit of grinding and I got it to work.