What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

80's short box, "S.E.R.E." Box permanently attached to the cab.

Overview Gallery Discussion
My favorite grill so far has been this one I found doing random square body searches..........................

attachment_zpsjdpvomvr.jpg


attachment2_zpsgyrk4jkp.jpg


attachment3_zps9va9sqvt.jpg


Doing a sheet metal one, in the pattern you are using would be killer. It would continue to use the rest of the factory trim and surrounds while replacing the plastic center.
 
cyclic said:
My favorite grill so far has been this one I found doing random square body searches..........................

Doing a sheet metal one, in the pattern you are using would be killer. It would continue to use the rest of the factory trim and surrounds while replacing the plastic center.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, that doesn't work with the intercooler, trans cooler, power steering cooler, AC condenser and aluminum radiator.

We got a lot of stuff packed into the core support. So much so that the factory lower valance no longer fits, not even close. That being the case, the factory grille can't and headlight trim can't be used.

The lower "valance" that is there now is fabricated as well and sticks out much further to create the lower mounting points for the sheet metal grille we have on there now.
 
The factory grille doesn't need the lower valance. It will work without it, it just won't have as many screws holding it in place.

Martin
 
Why not keep the headlight bezels and just do the grill area as a fabricated piece? It currently look like one of those old 'phantom' grills, of which I was never a real fan of...
 
82355 said:
The factory grille doesn't need the lower valance. It will work without it, it just won't have as many screws holding it in place.

Martin
Click to expand...

I guess I should have been more clear in my previous post. To get anything past the intercooler it has to stick out further. That's why we built the lower valance to accommodate that. The factory grille hits the intercooler.
 
cybrfire said:
Unfortunately, that doesn't work with the intercooler, trans cooler, power steering cooler, AC condenser and aluminum radiator.

We got a lot of stuff packed into the core support. So much so that the factory lower valance no longer fits, not even close. That being the case, the factory grille can't and headlight trim can't be used.

The lower "valance" that is there now is fabricated as well and sticks out much further to create the lower mounting points for the sheet metal grille we have on there now.
Click to expand...


Why can't you simply just cut laterally across the hood and both front fenders and then stretch the front end by about 6" additional inches? :haha:

That way you can gain back the clearance that you lost in the core support area, and drop a stock-ish looking grille back into this project. :waytogo:




-G


Disclaimer: This suggestion brought to you by the Might-As-Well Corporation, and does not necessarily reflect the views of this website or it's administration.






.
 
You would be the second person to suggest that.
 
I feel like somehow people have gotten intercoolers to work with the factory grills in these trucks.
 
I've seen intercoolers work with the 81-87 grilles, but th 88-91 grilles with quad headlights dont give you much room to work with. That's why I went with a water to air intercooler vs air to air. I was able to mount my heat exchanger in the bumper and the intercooler core is mounted under the hood.
 
It's possible I could have made it work if I didn't have the AC condenser in there as well as the trans and power steering coolers.

It's not done yet...

0C0E6D01-7D3B-4FE0-BB96-D7C6200B1869_zpstmn0cqnw.jpg


EC6FCCB4-305D-4DF2-B25C-0551DAF0CAAA_zpsewvmnvfe.jpg


29F987AF-04B7-42C3-97A0-F87CDF06FE75_zpsqxernqsx.jpg
 
For me its starting to look better with every thing that you add...but the headlight holes are just too small.
 
I got an idea for the headlights and turn signals. It's purely aesthetic, but I think that is all we're talking about here concerning the grille.
 
cybrfire said:
I got an idea for the headlights and turn signals. It's purely aesthetic, but I think that is all we're talking about here concerning the grille.
Click to expand...

Actually just paint or a sticker simulating the stockish besel around the headlights would go a long way to making everyone happy.

Kind of like what they do with Funny cars!? :dunno:
 
cybrfire said:
I got an idea for the headlights and turn signals. It's purely aesthetic, but I think that is all we're talking about here concerning the grille.
Click to expand...

Yes.


The center section looks awesome. The light area is just funky. I know you will make it right. :popcorn:
 
Typically I'm much more for function over form but I do agree, something is just not right in the headlight area. While I think it will work just fine and protect everything better than most grilles, it just isn't as pleasing to the eye as I'd like it to be.
 
Problem is those bezels are for larger lights. The 89-91 quad light headlights are significantly smaller.

I think if the stock bezel was cut in half so only the headlight area remained that might go a long way to giving the whole thing some depth, and adding a touch of the GM look I think it needs.
 
cybrfire said:
Typically I'm much more for function over form but I do agree, something is just not right in the headlight area. While I think it will work just fine and protect everything better than most grilles, it just isn't as pleasing to the eye as I'd like it to be.
Click to expand...

I think it'll cut the light angle down a LOT do to size of hole, depth to bulb, and angle from edge of bulb to the edge of hole... Looks like it'll lose half the light behind the grille.

current looks wise could easily be gotten used to after its finished and painted.

I'd cut the holes bigger and sink angled metal indentations from the grille back to 1/2" infront of or behind the face of the bulb like a normal headlight bucket does on a square. and sink a similar spot with the cutouts for the ambers in the panel its self..

Just what my take has been after looking at it for a while now and feeling something was wrong that wasn't totally a looks thing. then I though of the shadows the holes might make.

:dunno:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom