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Changing the grill on the '78
#730195 November 30th 2017 9:07 pm
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One of the reasons I got back into vanning was the stories I told my son (who is 11). He's got 71-77 hot wheels vans all with the round headlights/grill. I looked for months for a mid 70's panel that was untouched with a/c. No Luck. In the end I bought a $500 Craiglist project.

I had no idea at the time, you could retro fit these grills up to '96. I saw the videos Hot Rod did and went in search of the '77 grill/bumper.
In the search, I found an NOS '78 grill for $40. I had it shipped and installed it with a pair of salvage yard headlight bezels. Not perfect, but ok until I found the '77 grill and bumper.

Looking at the van, the '78 seems to have the most tinsel egg crate of them all. I'm just not diggin' it.
Persistence paid off and I got the '77 grill and bumper together for $300 plus shipping through Grayhound Freight. Not fast, but half of fed-ex/ups.

I just saw pat's ride and noticed the white lenses. I'm hoping mine will match up until I score an amber pair. There's one on ebay right now (NOS) for $60 bucks. Na.

I'll post some photos during my conversion. The two videos I saw seem to skip over some of the fab work involved.

Sorry last photo is upside down.

[Linked Image]IMG_4420 by Mike Duncan, on Flickr


[Linked Image]IMG_4792 by Mike Duncan, on Flickr

[Linked Image]IMG_4736 by Mike Duncan, on Flickr

[Linked Image]IMG_4809 by Mike Duncan, on Flickr

Last edited by Lettercraft; November 30th 2017 9:17 pm. Reason: add photo
Re: Changing the grill on the '78
Lettercraft #730222 December 01st 2017 5:48 pm
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i need a bumper for a 71-77

Re: Changing the grill on the '78
Lettercraft #730224 December 01st 2017 6:01 pm
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DHope.

Front or back?
Theres a '77 parts van here for $500

I've offered $300.

Re: Changing the grill on the '78
Lettercraft #730528 December 09th 2017 3:19 am
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I'm currently converting my 79 front end to the early. I found a 76 with it's full front end at a wrecking yard up the road from me. I ended up pulling the radiator support from the 76 and putting it in place of the 79 support. Still have to put the headlights and turnsignals in, that's the part I'm still trying to figure out. I look forward to seeing how yours works out!

Last edited by whyitsdone; December 09th 2017 3:21 am.
Re: Changing the grill on the '78
whyitsdone #730599 December 11th 2017 3:06 pm
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I've got 2 G30's I'm parting out. I've got really nice white grille w/bezels and bumper. Also have chrome grille and 1 bezel. Grille has surface rust around bolt holes that go behind bumper. Polish up the stainless and repaint the black and should be good driver. I did that on the one I just put on my 72 G20. Both motor homes have add-on ac. I pulled dash off one yesterday and it's totally separate form heater in van. Lots of front end pieces and parts. Use my email, bob.kennedy@hotcold.com


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