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Old 04-06-2013, 05:55 PM   #1
LynnJr
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Billet Grille Problem On A 74

I am putting a Billet grille in a 74 stepside.The first thing I noticed is the brackets that came with the grille don't line up with anything on the radiator support.I can drill new holes for that.
Net thing I noticed is the rung are so close together you can't get your fingers in there to pull on the latch handle.
Anybody got any cures for this or a work-around as I would like to keep this grille.
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Old 04-06-2013, 10:38 PM   #2
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Re: Billet Grille Problem On A 74

Why I traded my billet for a stock grille. They suck with a 73 latch.
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Old 04-06-2013, 11:07 PM   #3
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Re: Billet Grille Problem On A 74

Is there a better year latch that could be used?

I was thinking of running a stainless plate off of the handle with a draw bar added to the bottom that would protrude from the bottom of the grille.

Surely in 40 years somebody has come up with something?
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Old 04-06-2013, 11:17 PM   #4
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Re: Billet Grille Problem On A 74

A newer model with an inside release should work.
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Old 04-06-2013, 11:28 PM   #5
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Re: Billet Grille Problem On A 74

That's called theft deterrent lol
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Old 04-06-2013, 11:37 PM   #6
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Re: Billet Grille Problem On A 74

Theft deterrent I call it owner deterrent.Its such a pain I am pulling it out just so I don't bend or break it while I complete the build.

If I add a newer cable latch I still need to release the hood catch after the cable has been pulled.

I need thinner fingers or a pull bar attached to the handle that is hard to see but affective
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Old 04-06-2013, 11:42 PM   #7
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Re: Billet Grille Problem On A 74

Even with the 77 style outside release it was a pain with a billet grill. Inside release would be best. I just switched to a stock grill instead of swapping latches though.
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Old 04-07-2013, 09:50 AM   #8
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Re: Billet Grille Problem On A 74

In my younger years, I put a billet grille in my '73. I took a hood prop rod and attached it to the latch, ran it through the trough in the middle of the lower grille panel, and bent it to make a handle at the bottom. It opened the hood, but was a PITA in practice.
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Old 04-07-2013, 11:55 AM   #9
LynnJr
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Re: Billet Grille Problem On A 74

That is how I plan to go forward with this mess.
I am going to make a stainless steel bracket that bolts to the handle and extends almost to the bottom of the radiator support,From there it will have a rod connected to it that allows me to pull it from outside the grille.The bracket will be easy but the rod will be a pain do to routing and looks.
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Old 04-07-2013, 12:25 PM   #10
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Re: Billet Grille Problem On A 74

I got one of these on my 74 and I get to my latch no problems...the bars are just wide enough to get my fingers through
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Old 04-07-2013, 01:11 PM   #11
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Re: Billet Grille Problem On A 74

I guess I have fat fingers.I can get it open but I can see problems with it down the road.I don't want it all bent up looking.
What blows my mind is everybody knows about it yet nobody sells a fix for it.I will post pictures of my fix but realistically it will be several months down the road.
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Old 04-07-2013, 03:07 PM   #12
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Re: Billet Grille Problem On A 74

My 76 had one on it at one time back when it was my Dads.
He attached a rod the hood release that ran down to behind the bumper.
There was a rubber pad on the end of that rod that you reached under the bumper and pushed up on to open the hood.
Once you knew where it was you could also push up on it with the toe of your shoe.
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