Question about center grilles - 81-87

[C10_Blackie]

I have a 1981 C10 Silverado with dual headlights and one of those 1980’s JC Whitney-style billet center grilles that I’d dearly love to replace with anything more stock looking.

I found a decent stock C10 center grille about an hour away from me off of a 1987 truck (photo below). Will it fit?

Thanks.

 

[Sad Sack]

No. Looks like 81-82 are unique.

https://www.lmctruck.com/grilles

 

[C10_Blackie]

No. Looks like 81-82 are unique.

https://www.lmctruck.com/grilles

I did the same search in LMC, USA-1 and other sites but I’m not convinced based on that evidence alone. I’m hoping somebody has direct experience.

I’m heading out there tomorrow regardless to pick up a horn, so will have my answer soon. Would just be nice to know before I go so I can better work with another seller I may meet on the way home.

I’m driving the truck rather than my daily driver specifically so I can check the grille fit. Funny that what I’ll spend on the horn is way less than what I’ll spend in gas, seeing that I’m getting around 8mpg.

 

[mxer147]

It will probably work but you may have also have to change the headlight trim pieces.

 

[Finkaire]

GM re-pop with GM logo on the box from LMC, perfect!
In addition, there are different shades of the gray. Headlight bezels from LMC and grill matched perfectly the darker gray the truck came with.

 

[C10_Blackie]

It will probably work but you may have also have to change the headlight trim pieces.

OK, that’s interesting and good to know. Hopefully the seller has those too, if needed. He’s parting out three trucks all in the same year range, so chances are good has them and the ones currently on my truck are not in the best shape anyway. Thanks.

 

[C10_Blackie]

GM re-pop from LMC, perfect!

That’s my next option if I don’t come up with a grille this trip.

 

[Shorty81]

I also have the GM logo LMC Grille. Happy with it.

 

[Mr Clean]

I have a 82 grille. IIR it's in pretty good shape. came off of my 82 Blazer. I'm going with a full phantom grille.

 

[Redfish]

The biggest difference should be the blinker/running light mounts. The '83 to '87 models had the blinker/running lights inside the grill, your '81 has them in the bumper. Externally you would never notice if those lights were there or not.

I am guessing (which means I don't honestly know for sure) that the rest of the grill should line up.

 

[Finkaire]

I also have the GM logo LMC Grille. Happy with it.

Like the “Keep on Truckin” plate

 

[Grit dog]

OK, that’s interesting and good to know. Hopefully the seller has those too, if needed. He’s parting out three trucks all in the same year range, so chances are good has them and the ones currently on my truck are not in the best shape anyway. Thanks.

Bezels are like $12 ea new on Scamazon.
Can’t say for sure but while the style is different I believe all the 81 up grilles mount the same and are the same size.

 

[vr1967]

The splash apron /bumper valance (metal piece between the bumper and grille) is different between the 81-82 and the 83-88. (It is also different for 89-91)

 

[C10_Blackie]

Final answer: an ‘87 grille fits in my ‘81 C10. Have to remove the headlight bezels to get it in and then replace, but that’s the only thing about it.

 

[vr1967]

Final answer: an ‘87 grille fits in my ‘81 C10. Have to remove the headlight bezels to get it in and then replace, but that’s the only thing about it.

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.