Sorry to take so long, but I wanted to include pics of my original grille, grille guard and the integral crank support. Looks like I need to get out the polish rag...lol.
Speaking of laughing, that is exactly what we did when I was at a show a number of years ago and was noting that I had the original crank for the truck...NO Way...let's see you start it! Well we have all heard stories involving broken fingers and sprained wrist from crank starting. I was being very careful to slowly move the crank to a possible "high point" and then give the big crank...the old stovebolt was well tuned and it started with just very little movement!
Note the dent in the original grille, the previous owner deemed the grille guard old fashioned and had removed it.
Sorry about the bad hold on the tape measure, but personally I think your 1/8" stock is just fine.
HD Grille Guard and Crank Guide
