1963 grille surround question

[gigolo258]

I would like to know the year breakdown on 60 to 66 grille surrounds,I have a 63 and have heard that the earlier versions have a slightly narrower spacing on the notches on the bottom,Thanks

[60-66]

It has to do with the different frames, 1960-1962 and 1963-1966 is the breakdown of years for the frames and grille surround.

[aerotruk63]

Interesting, According to the parts book

60-61 3757465
62 3796300
63 3826778
60-66 675034 with a note stating:
Note 1. When using on 1960 thru 1963 models it is necessary to relocate two holes on each side.

[60-66]

Yes that is interesting. Check the parts history books on those numbers and you will see starting from the top, were changed to the next number and in the end they used the true 63-66 surround on all of them 1960-1966. They will fit but that's not how they came new.

Heres a few examples that show the differences. This first one is a 1962 with the shallow notch, these frames are one inch wider at this point and have a narrow rail under the notch in the surround,



This next one is a 1965



and heres the front of a 1963, same as 64 65 66.

[aerotruk63]

I hope you understand I'm not debating the issue, I have not been exposed to a grill surrounds from each year, but are the number and location of the holes for mounting the different year grills 60-62 and 63 - 66 similar?. I had read that the 63 grill mounts with 4 screws while the 64-66 mounts with 3. Does a 64 or 65 or 66 original grill surround have 4 holes or 3? I had read from an aftermarket supplier that there were 3 different models. 60-62, 63 by itself then 64-66.

[60-66]

Yes, I understood Norm, I just had to look up each of those numbers. Love these parts challenges as it makes me think. Now you have another good point. One I need to look at. I have a nice true 1960 Surround I need to dig out. There's also a different one with a bracket and a rubber bumper that is I think Suburban only.

[aerotruk63]

The 1963 Preliminary Parts Book I carry in the truck lists
3817716 C/K 10 EXC PANELS
3826778 C/K 10-20-30 PANELS

From a 64 Burb

[BLK65K10]

There are differences in the original grilles surrounds for the different grilles. The 60-61 have a different mounting hole pattern and didn't require a recess for the plug in to the headlight bulb. When they switched to the single large headlight they had to provide a recess for the plug in to live. The 62 and 63 grilles I believe have a similar bolt pattern. The 64-66 have only a 3 bolt pattern that is quite different from the previous years. The 64-66 also has the deepest recess for the plug in. The 60-66 gmc grille will bolt into the 60-61 chevy grille surround but original 64-66 gmcs have the large recess for the plug in though it is not used and a chevy grille will not bolt in without redrilling new mounting holes. These are my observations from disassembling over 30 pickups. Hope this helps.

[BLK65K10]

Here is a photo of a 60-61. Notice it is flat underneath of where the headights would be. I will post a photo of a 64-66 tomorrow.

[aerotruk63]

Great contribution BLK65K10. On this site it just takes some experienced guy to clarify.

[jbgroby]

Welll the 60 GMC was different not sure IF this was the same for all years.

[60-66]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

The 1963 Preliminary Parts Book I carry in the truck lists
3817716 C/K 10 EXC PANELS
3826778 C/K 10-20-30 PANELS

From a 64 Burb

Heres what I mean by the Suburban and Panel truck extra bracket on the grille surround, it gets a rubber pad that sits on the bumper bracket. This one on the truck doesn't have the bumper bracket on at the moment.

[60-66]

Heres 3 different 63-66 grille surrounds all with different factory holes punched. The 3 hole one is the same as a 1966 I compared to. The 4 hole one is like Aero said and I agree could be a 1963. The other one has 6 holes and my only guess is its supposed to fit all grilles.

[gigolo258]

Thanks for the interest in this research,I will know what to look for now for my 1963.It is C10 Custom panel and I will probably have to add the special bracket to my replacement grille surround when I get one but will use my original as a donor.thanks for your help and OEM forever,Adam

[aerotruk63]

Does your panel have the rubber frame mounts as well as the rubber on that additional bracket?

[A.T. RockDriller]

I think those two parts would work together as an upgrade.

[BLK65K10]

It looks like 60-66 got everything covered so my photos would just be redundant. I use to have one that had a shallow indent in it but I must have sold it as I couldn't find it.

[60-66]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

Does your panel have the rubber frame mounts as well as the rubber on that additional bracket?

Yes the Panel trucks were the same as the Suburban brackets both frame and grille surround from 1963-1966.

[60-66]

Originally Posted by BLK65K10

It looks like 60-66 got everything covered so my photos would just be redundant. I use to have one that had a shallow indent in it but I must have sold it as I couldn't find it.

I was hoping you could help confirm some of what we are talking about. Always nice to have more input from the group and to see what differences are out there.

[Grandpa54]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

the 1963 preliminary parts book i carry in the truck lists
3817716 c/k 10 exc panels
3826778 c/k 10-20-30 panels

from a 64 burb

my 65 panel has these mounts for the radiator support, does anyone know if someone remakes them ?

[BLK65K10]

My 65 and 66 suburbans I had also had the bracket with rubber bumper on it that sits on the bumper brace.

[60-66]

Originally Posted by gigolo258

Thanks for the interest in this research,I will know what to look for now for my 1963.It is C10 Custom panel and I will probably have to add the special bracket to my replacement grille surround when I get one but will use my original as a donor.thanks for your help and OEM forever,Adam

Heres a Suburban one on EBAY that you just need to add one hole for 1963
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1964-66-chev...ef2109&vxp=mtr

[gigolo258]

60-66 thanks for the Ebay piece and all the pics and info but I have an Arizona grille surround coming this spring and wanted to be able to do a visual comparison on these parts,Thanks you aero truk also ,the members on this forum are extremely helpful and this is not the end of my quest for knowledge.

[aerotruk63]

It's subjects like this, that I'd like to go through, part by part, to compare for everyone to know the differences. You don't have to be a purist to appreciate the differences.

[60-66]

I totally agree, posting pictures and seeing actual differences with other knowledgeable input is very helpful . Keeping these trucks OEM is for me, boy that sounds familiar ?