The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop 56 grill

What is the difference in mounting a '56 grill versus a '57 grill? Do you need different upper and lower grill panel bars??

the openings are the same but the 55-6 grill mounts inside the opening, the 57 grill laps on top of the opening surrounding ridge, the difference is there's holes on the face of the opening for 57, with a 'dimple' flat area around them .... if you put a 56 grill in a 57 you'll have to fill the holes, if a 57 grill in a 56, you'll have to make the holes .... note the holes each side of the 56 grill in a 57 truck - the 57 grill back in

Bill

I have a 57 truck. I want to buy a 56 chrome grill as 57 are way too high and I like the look of the 56 anyway. The lower grill panel bar is bent to a point where a new one is needed. The catalog lists a 55-56 or a 57. If using a 56 grill on a 57 truck, should one order a 55-56 lower panel bar?

yes, they fit the same in the opening but the 57 one is designed for mounting the 57 grill so you'd need to modify mounting holes for the 56 grill

Bill

Thank you, sir.

The 57 front fender are indented for the 57 grill bracket.
For resale etc no matter cost the proper grill is better. The cost of dealing with either replacing or filling and painting the front fenders out weighs the grill cost easy. Just remember the 57 is a one of a kind front fender slash grill assembly truck, and if the fenders are rust free in filling the holes and dents you would be ruining some good original fenders.