1980 grille swap
 

Hello everyone,

I have a 1980 c10 and I would like some help if possible to change my grille. I really like the older style grille and would like to change it to the a 73-76 grill or like the pictures I provided! thanks! I want to aim for the one that will allow for a bowtie

Re: 1980 grille swap
 

I asked awhile ago and was told I need the brackets from a 74. Also if yours has int. hood release

Re: 1980 grille swap
 

Thanks for replying! Oh ok just the brackets? Cool that sounds easy! My hood release is just walking up to the front and opening it. Anyone can open it. No lock or release inside

Re: 1980 grille swap
 

It is nice to have the correct hood latch for that year as well. Your core support actually has dimples by the headlights to drill for the brackets. PM me if you need a complete set.

Re: 1980 grille swap
 

I did this conversion on my '77 a few years ago. It was pretty simple and straightforward. Even with a truck that's been better days and doesnt have the best body part alighnment.

As said above the dimples make it easy peasy to drill with some step bits.

The hardest part was actually finding the right combination of tiny bolts and washers because I didnt have the correct original hardware and retainers. But it still went well.

There was a right up somewhere on the internet that I had used but I dont remember the site and I have no pictures to offer myself.

Re: 1980 grille swap
 

Thank you everyone !

Re: 1980 grille swap
 

I sent you a PM for more info regarding a complete set! Thanks

Re: 1980 grille swap
 

That sucks that you don’t remember the website lol I’ll see if I can find one!

Re: 1980 grille swap
 

I just did a grill conversion on mine from a 1973 grill to a 1975, prior to which I had to rebuild the grill, that I got from the junkyard. Just had to fab up some brackets inside where the 73 use to mount. Then mount these for the 1975 grill. Pretty simple really.

All the details are here

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=791250

1973 grill is pictured first then the 1975.

Looks great! I didn’t know the brackets from a 1973 and 1975 were different . I really like this grille style but I think it’s the billet custom or the one with the bow tie to make it look original. The bow tie is a nice touch so I might go with the red c10 style grill
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Re: 1980 grille swap
 

I use to really like the tube grills, now days I am way more partial to the original grills (especially since they are getting harder to get).

Either way both look great. The 1973-1979 is my favorite front end for all of the squarebodies. And the Squarebody IMO is the best design style truck EVER made!

I always wanted a 72 but couldn’t afford it.
Same. I’m leaning towards the grill on the red c10 with the bow tie. I don’t know what year grill is that. It looks like the one I have on my 1980 and can’t find it on LMC. The closest they have is the 75-78 but is not the same. Anyone know what grill it has?
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Re: 1980 grille swap
 

I think 74

Re: 1980 grille swap
 

I think I’ll be keeping my grill and remove the plasti dip since LMC website says I can use 1979-1980 grilles as replacement for 1977-1978. That being said, does anyone know if I still need to change the brackets and center bracket if I want the change the bezels? LMC didn’t want to help me .

Re: 1980 grille swap
 

Slowly but surely the plasti dip is coming off

Re: 1980 grille swap
 

You might go place a wanted ad in the classified section, quite a few guys are exchanging grills from what I have seen, stay away from ebay. You will pay top dollars there. I think yours looks like a 73-74. The dead giveaway on those was it had an engine displacement badge on the drivers side, if the badge is missing it will still have 2 holes for the badge if missing.

See photo's 1973-74 grill, then backside of the engine displacement badge.

Re: 1980 grille swap
 

thanks for the wanted ad idea! ill check it out!. i just want to change the bezles to the 73-77 model and remove the bottom trim. I like how the grill came out with no plasti dip. I got the truck with plasti dip grill. At this point I just want to know if I still need to by the brackets

Re: 1980 grille swap
 

I found my answer to my question. in case anyone might be interested, in order for me to change my grill layout to the one with a single bezle with blinker uncovered (as shown in the picture of the white c10), I have to purchase a 1977-1978 grille because this grille uses a thinner lower molding compared to the grille I have. ----The 1975-1976 fits too but LMC don't sell it and the 1973-1974 needs different center and grille brackets.---- My grill has to come with a thicker lower molding that covers the back lower grille panel. Thats why you are able to see the grill panel painted on the 1978 and under and on the 79-80 the thicker lower molding covers it. I might need to buy a different grill panel but i'll order that last. I'll be purchasing the grille, bezles, and moldings from LMC. I'll update if I need to change the grille panel. Thank You and keep on truckin!