Question about center grilles - 81-87

[mxer147]

I’d be interested to see since I have a 82 grill I was considering installing, pics please.

 

[bucket]

Yeah, me too. I haven't seen an uninstalled '81-'82 grille in a coon's age and can't remember the mounting difference.

 

[C10_Blackie]

It will physically fit, no problem, but 2 trim screws should not line up, unless the splash apron has been changed already, in which case, 2 screws should not have lined up on the 81-82 grille.

Believe I have at least one of each style, and can take photos for reference, if anyone is interested.

Yep - you are exactly right and I spoke too soon. The top secures nicely and the center screw on the bottom fits nicely, but there are two flanges on either side of the bottom are unsupported.

So you are saying that these attach to the splash guard and not the headlight bezels? Yes, I’d like to see photos if it is not too much trouble.

I’ll have to go back and see what a splash guard looks like and how much trouble that is going to be to source and replace. I may just let this one hang as is and then replace with a correct repro later - or maybe figure out a way to make brackets to secure them somehow. Thanks for posting.

 

[C10_Blackie]

BTW - before and after pics. To my eye it is a huge improvement.

 

[bucket]

Could you not just drill a 1/8" hole and use a #8 trim screw to fasten? Or is there not enough flange there?

 

[C10_Blackie]

Could you not just drill a 1/8" hole and use a #8 trim screw to fasten? Or is there not enough flange there?

Ha. I had to to exactly that when the center flange snapped off, but no suitable place at the edges.

Maybe looking at it again after a good night’s sleep will shake something loose. I could probably make some supports out of stiff wire. It is very well secured at the top so it won’t need much - just enough to keep it in position.

 

[C10_Blackie]

It will physically fit, no problem, but 2 trim screws should not line up, unless the splash apron has been changed already, in which case, 2 screws should not have lined up on the 81-82 grille.

Believe I have at least one of each style, and can take photos for reference, if anyone is interested.

Is this the component that the grille would mount to? (LMC calls it a “lower grille panel).

1983-87 Square Body Chevy & GMC Truck Front Bumper to Grille Valance Panel

Restore the front end of your 1983–87 Chevy or GMC truck with this bumper to grille valance panel. EDP primer coated for rust-free fit and paint prep.

www.usa1industries.com

 

[bucket]

Is this the component that the grille would mount to? (LMC calls it a “lower grille panel).

1983-87 Square Body Chevy & GMC Truck Front Bumper to Grille Valance Panel

Restore the front end of your 1983–87 Chevy or GMC truck with this bumper to grille valance panel. EDP primer coated for rust-free fit and paint prep.

www.usa1industries.com

Yeah, that's it. Although, I'd just find a used GM part. It will fit better and cost will be cheap. Should be very easy to find.

 

[vr1967]

Give me a day or two as I haven’t been able to lay my hands on my 81-82 piece, but am still digging thru parts. If not, I know where one is I can get a hold of.

Have found several styles of t case cross members, so may photograph them denoting styles for reference purposes too

 

[CheemsK1500]

When I got my ‘85 it had one of those awful JC Whitney grilles on it. I was happy to ditch it. I don’t know why those were even ever remotely popular to begin with. They make the truck look like an air conditioning unit.

As for fitment, you can put an 83-84 or 85-87 grille on an 81-82 truck, you just end up with unused parking lamp mounts inside the grille, since parking lamps mount in the front bumper of an 81-82 truck. To this swap the other way around, you have to either include a 81-82 front bumper or modify an 81-82 grille to accept 83-84/85-87 parking lamps.

 

[vr1967]

Have not been able to lay my hands on a true 81-82 piece. Hadn’t forgotten about it. Do know where a wrecked 81 is that I’m trying to catch up with the owner.