BHD

BHD

I will be keeping the 74 style grill, but the core support will take a lot of fab work to support the radiator and air to air cooler. So I decided to do a little fab work

BHD

So after some careful measuring, I cut the headlight buckets out of a wrecked and rusted '75 core support I had in inventory

BHD

Then I mocked them up on the 91.5 IC core support from the donor and used my Hypertherm plasma cutter to burn the metal out.

BHD

Using my Miller 210 MIG welder I melted it all back together.

BHD

Turned out just as I planned. I intend to use the birdbath hood with this fascia as well and keep as much '74 vintage sheet metal as possible

u2slow

Slick

I wish my '75 nose was in better shape. I think all I can salvage is the hood.

oliver foster

That is just how I pictured doing a diesel core support with the '70's grille would work best.
Nice job welding it up.
Are you planning on using an intercooler on this build, behind that grille?

BHD

10-4 on that, c'mon!

Ill test fit it later this weekend. Looks like the IC will work, but the OE A/C condenser will not. Which is fine, I plan on using a Vintage Air set up anyway.

BHD

Got my core support mounted, and radiator installed and I couldn't help but hang a fender and the grill on just to see its face again. Beer thirty.

oliver foster

I just love the way 70's Dodge trucks look with that aluminum grille and round headlights.
That was well worth the effort. It looks great!

BHD

Thanks Ollie. The 70's body style is my favorite look for the Dodge truck. I am pleased with how it is coming along. I just need more free time.

patdaly

You know, looking at that, I wonder if it would be just as easy to do the same thing to my kids 89 non IC front? His truck has the Banks Intercooler and there is no room for anything other than that cheesy square tube grille. Has anyone used the later non-birdbath hood with the aluminum grille?

Also, is the Aluminum grille fairly well flush with the front of the fender, not recessed like the plastic 89?

Would it even bolt onto the 89 fenders?

BHD

The aluminum grill allows for clearance for the IC but not the AC condenser. If you look closely in post #81 you can see how the aluminum grill attaches to the radiator support next to the headlights. It also attaches to the top of the rad support in about 8 places with screws and it also attaches to the filler plate below the grill, but I haven't attacked that part yet.

NJTman

You took the exact thought out of my head.

I agree. I concur ! My favorite look as well.

There was an old TV show called Emergency. Loved that truck..