texasfirstgen

Daytrepper

Lighted visor installed! Just have to finish cleaning up the lenses. Getting closer!

Blue Goose

like the Direct Connection plate!

Stover93

Where in the world did you find your grille!!

Daytrepper

Wasnt easy, took two years to find one. Closed dealership NOS.

Stover93

"Wasn't easy"... No Joke!!
I have a project going similar to yours. Mine is a 93 W350. Every grille I find is just slightly less crappy than the one I have!

Anyone have a line on a good one?

oliver foster

Like most any 1st gen part, I have "a line" on a bunch of those grilles... I have a bunch of them hanging in "a line" in my shop.
Almost all of them have a crack between the D and the G, but I do have a couple of very nice ones I have collected over the years.

Daytrepper

To prevent cracks, its all in the mounting.

At the factory, they just pushed them in and bolted them on; which caused "stress" in the plastic, because they were not "relaxed" and lined up perfectly. This caused the cracks. These trucks are a bear to line up body panels on, and I would be surprised if anyone could get a grill to fit "stress free" with all the mounting points bolted down as done at the factory. It would take hours and hours of tweaking half the front end.

Currently, mine is not bolted down at the top. It is installed "relaxed". I may bolt it down where it is with some rubber or nylon bushings to allow some flex. The only downside is the grille-hood gap is not perfect. But its a small price to play when you are talking about a **** near irreplaceable grille.

Daytrepper

Shes getting really close now. Got the fender flares and running boards installed. Side molding to come next!
Other than that there are about 100 small projects left---trim, tie up wires, adjustments, etc;

Fordzilla

Those are my favorite kind of running boards, the full length diamond plate with splash guards...It seems all that is available anymore is nerf bars and side steps which I don't like...I finally had some made, then coated in bedliner for my truck......Ben

Daytrepper

Agree, Old Red wouldnt be Old Red without them.

They actually dont list them for a Dodge anymore, you have to order them for a Chevy. Same exact length and perfect match to the old boards----for a regular cab.

Daytrepper

98% Done!! Just a few more details to do yet. Here is a before and after pic of the rocker panel/running board; more to follow;

oliver foster

WOW - that looks really shiny.
Looking forward to checking it out in person at Carlisle.

Torque_Junkie

I actually met you at Carlisle, I had no clue how much was put into this thing. I honestly feel stupid now for not asking you more as I'm currently trying to restore mine. All I can say is wow this thing is even better then factory now and thank you for sharing your build.

Daytrepper

Thank you, if you need anything, let me know, and post some pics of your build!