GRILLES

[jaredts]

In the past few months some (myself included) have asked a few questions about grilles.  Honestly I am not finding what I want out there.  I have an '83 silverado with quad headlights.  I don't mind the factory grille, although I was hoping for something a little more interesting.  Mine's shot and I don't want to pay $300 or $400 dollars for a replacement.  I don't like phantom grilles at all.  I have seen some that look just like factory without the bowtie, but boy do they look plain.  I've also seen this type:  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/81-87-CHEVY-GMC-C-K-PICKUP-JIMMY-BILLET-GRILLE-GRILL-83-/170621935718?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1983&hash=item27b9dc2066

Does anyone think that I could cut the top and bottom off of my factory grille so I can retain the double chrome finish bars and bowtie and notch it to fit over the middle of this grille?  

[78 Chevyrado]

I don't see why that wouldn't work.  And it would be one of a kind.   I like the idea a lot!

[gto109]

thats the style i like and was planing on putting in my '85

[VileZambonie]

I had the 84 silverado grille with a bowtie lumilogo on my K5. I loved the look.

[thachevythang]

I don't have a picture of my grille now but I have that billet grille with a newer GMC logo. It was a 3M tape back. I also had to put a slight bend to make it flush because those grilles have a small ridge in the middle. Keeps it from looking plane jane and you can call it "custom"!!! Looks like this.

[jaredts]

Thanks everyone.  I'm trying to find an option that allows me to keep the double chrome bars that go horizontal across the grille and then continue between the headlights on the bezels.  I like billet grilles, but I like the oem bars.  I'm not aware of any grille available that will allow me to do that.  I've got lots of other things to do on my truck, so I'm not in a hurry, but I have been struggling to figure out what to do with this.

[roadrage41]

http://trexbillet.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=74

like that but for an older truck, thats pretty much what i want, prob have to make it.

[jaredts]

http://trexbillet.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=74

like that but for an older truck, thats pretty much what i want, prob have to make it.

You hit the nail on the head, Roadrage.  That idea for my silverado would make me smile.  I'm tempted to buy the billet grille and see what I can do.  It just doesn't seem like it would look right with my bezels if I don't modify it.  Who knows, I might end up buying an oem style if I can't figure out how to do this.

[1979C20]

You could pull a bar or two off of the billet grill and put your chrome inside the gaps you made bt y removing the bars.

[74chev4x4]

Anyone know how the trex grille mounts. Do you use the factory grille mounts or does it have it's own mounts

[jaredts]

I'm not sure, but this site has a nice oem style grille that should fit yours.  Chris (from this site) could tell you more.
BTW I just ended up installing an oem style on my '83.  I basically chickened out of modifying a billet type and got this one for a song.  You'd have to be looking to notice it wasn't the oem one.  Painted it and my bezels with rust-oleum wheel paint.  The color was so close to the factory dark argent that I almost didn't paint the new grille, but figured it would fade.  Painted the center part of the chrome molding pieces in body color, like oem.  I need to snap some pics.

[slammed79]

They may line up with the factory stuff, but I kinda doubt it. Why are you lookin to get rid of your 74 grille? Its the best looking one they made!

[74chev4x4]

Oh I know I love the 73-74 grille, it's for my 75 k20 though and it has the old large tube grill on it. Anyway I can get the 74 style oem grille to fit my 75 without spendy a fortune. I tried to put a 73 grille in the opening in the 75 but the grille was to large?

[slammed79]

Strange... I thought all the openings where the same except for the 79-80. Too large what way? Like the grille was thicker than than the 75? Or wider and wouldn't fit in the opening?

[74chev4x4]

Seemed tight top to bottom in the middle, I will try it again.