What are the other grilles for the 81-81?

[bennylava]

I always liked the "billet" grilles you'd see on these trucks except for one thing: Nobody ever attached a chevy logo in the middle. They just left the grille blank, which didn't look as good. That got me to thinking, are there any other grilles for these old trucks? Maybe something aftermarket that was made for awhile? Any pics of grilles that aren't factory would be appreciated! I want to do something to set my 87 apart from the others. I was thinking of switching to the 1981 grille because I like it better. But first I wanted to check and see if there was anything else out there.

[TKCR]

When I bought my truck, the PO had a Billet Grille with an emblem. But I didn’t like the Billet Grille, so I put together a stock grille and installed it. But here’s a pic of the Billet with the emblem.

[special-K]

I didn't like the '81 grille when they changed the front end that year, but it grew on me as looking tougher. Also stands apart from later years same as 73/74 grilles. But the 81/82s are funky with single headlights. I remember people changing out to tube grilles but those were only made for dual headlights. You'd still have the 81/82 inserts under the headlights. Not very custom looking. Just remember, you'll need to do something for turn signal/running lights if you do that swap

[kipps]

If you want a different sort of aftermarket grille, and can find a way of fabricating your own, play around with vertical grille bars. Google pics of a 1969 Wagoneer for inspiration.

[bennylava]

Next question, if you had to buy a good quality replacement for your oem grille, where would you get it from? The one I'm using from ebay has cracked just from the stress of being mounted correctly. Apparently it can't even flex what little amount it has to from all the fasteners being on.

Side question:

Does anyone know if this paint scheme was typical? So the white roof, combined with the white side. I thought if you had a roof that was a different color than the hood, you didn't get the roof color running down the side. I thought it was only on the bottom.

Did they make some trucks like this? Or is this one a custom job that deviates from factory? White roof and a white side. Instead of white roof, white bottom.

https://external-content.duckduckgo....6pid%3DApi&f=1

[kipps]

Originally Posted by bennylava

Does anyone know if this paint scheme was typical? So the white roof, combined with the white side. I thought if you had a roof that was a different color than the hood, you didn't get the roof color running down the side. I thought it was only on the bottom.

Did they make some trucks like this? Or is this one a custom job that deviates from factory? White roof and a white side. Instead of white roof, white bottom.

That one has been customized quite a bit. The side paint is similar to a ZY5 two-tone, but it has the ZY2/ZY4 white roof and cab back. Further, the color split on a ZY5 is supposed to be a couple inches higher than it is on that truck.

Look through the vehicle information kits on gmheritagecenter.com for more info. https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-...tion-kits.html

[44th Miss Inf]

Originally Posted by special-K

But the 81/82s are funky with single headlights. I remember people changing out to tube grilles but those were only made for dual headlights.

Thankfully the ‘81 I bought in ‘83 (friend’s father bought it new) was a Silverado with dual headlights. I’m like you, the single headlight version looked funky.

Some pics from the web

[bennylava]

Originally Posted by kipps

Further, the color split on a ZY5 is supposed to be a couple inches higher than it is on that truck.

Thank you for the reply! But where specifically, is supposed to be 2" higher? Should the bottom brown part come up 2 more inches, or should the middle white part be up higher 2 more inches?

[kipps]

Originally Posted by bennylava

Thank you for the reply! But where specifically, is supposed to be 2" higher? Should the bottom brown part come up 2 more inches, or should the middle white part be up higher 2 more inches?

Both color splits are too low. The lower one should be approximately across the lower third of the fuel filler door, and the upper one should be about level with the bottom of the 'dumbo' mirror mount. These are random google photos of 1981 trucks that look stock. The single headlight truck has the ZY4 paint, and the dual headlight truck has the ZY5 paint. (note that there's no specific relationship between the single/dual headlights and the paint pattern)

The dual headlight truck has the 'dumbo' mirrors I'm referring to.

[bennylava]

Wow yeah. Comparing those pics, the paint is really low on the truck I linked. Maybe they had to do that in order to have it look right. Maybe it would've looked bad with the white roof, if they didn't put some distance between the roof and the side stripe.

Wouldn't mind seeing them all so I could decide which one I actually liked better. If they're done well, most resto-mods still look great.

[71gmcC15]

Originally Posted by 44th Miss Inf

Thankfully the ‘81 I bought in ‘83 (friend’s father bought it new) was a Silverado with dual headlights. I’m like you, the single headlight version looked funky.

Some pics from the web

Dual headlights whare available in any trim. My 81 k10 schottsdale dale has them. I've also seen Silverados with the big single light. It was just a box that was checked when ordering new. 83 up could aslo get the big single lights.

[71gmcC15]

Originally Posted by bennylava

I always liked the "billet" grilles you'd see on these trucks except for one thing: Nobody ever attached a chevy logo in the middle. They just left the grille blank, which didn't look as good. That got me to thinking, are there any other grilles for these old trucks? Maybe something aftermarket that was made for awhile? Any pics of grilles that aren't factory would be appreciated! I want to do something to set my 87 apart from the others. I was thinking of switching to the 1981 grille because I like it better. But first I wanted to check and see if there was anything else out there.

No one will tell you so I will 81 grills mount different on the bottom then the 83 up grills. Have to crawl under and take out ( 6 if I remember) bolts coning from the bottom up. You will have to swap bumper filler to a 81-82 style

[Axle]

Originally Posted by 71gmcC15

No one will tell you so I will 81 grills mount different on the bottom then the 83 up grills. Have to crawl under and take out ( 6 if I remember) bolts coning from the bottom up. You will have to swap bumper filler to a 81-82 style

Good to know. I don't think I've ever run across that tidbit of information anywhere.

[bennylava]

What exactly is the bumper filler?

[special-K]

The bumper filler is the body piece under the grille

Originally Posted by 71gmcC15

Dual headlights whare available in any trim. My 81 k10 schottsdale dale has them. I've also seen Silverados with the big single light. It was just a box that was checked when ordering new. 83 up could aslo get the big single lights.

While it's true dual headlamps was an option on lower trim levels, all Silverados came with dual headlamps

[bennylava]

Originally Posted by special-K

The bumper filler is the body piece under the grille


While it's true dual headlamps was an option on lower trim levels, all Silverados came with dual headlamps

Do you happen to have a pic? I believe my truck may be missing this part. Not sure since I don't know exactly what it looks like. Maybe it's responsible for my grille breaking prematurely.

[Mathew21]

Originally Posted by bennylava

What exactly is the bumper filler?