The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk grille differences

I am looking for the measurements of the 1948/53 1/2 ton grille and the 1948/53 1/12 ton grille. I do not know when the break off point is, I believe the grille from a 1 ton is the same as the 1/2 ton but not sure. I have a NOS grille but not sure what it fits, I believe it is for a large truck. :o ....g

'47-'55 1st series GMC Grilles can be tricky. Alot of people don't realize it, but the '47, & 48, 1/2 ton- 1 ton grilles, are different from the '49-'55 1/2 ton- 1 ton grilles. The '47 & '48 1/2 ton- 1 ton grilles have the same look, as the 1 1/2 ton, & up. GMONIZ, send me a picture of your grille.

I can't believe I forgot to say it was a Chevrolet truck grille not GMC. Thanks Spanky.

Wouldn't it be great if we had a picture identifier on the Bolt? I know collectivly we have most of the information locked up in our heads or computer. There are links to other sites that have information, but we don't have a library where we can retrieve the data. What would it take to set one up? Are there any computer guys out there that can help set something up? Is the management interested in setting up a virtual library that would include pictures and technical facts in one area? I would assist in any way I could including crunching information and providing information I have gathered. ..........g

Hey Spanky! I was wondering about that! My service book shows 4 horizontal bars in the grill for my '48 1/2 ton, but all the parts books I've seen offer the same 5 horizontal bars in the grill for '48 to 50 something. Is this what your talking about?

Yep, That's what I'm talk'in 'bout. Actually the '47, & '48 model, 1/2, 3/4, & 1 ton Grilles have 3 horizontal inner grille bars. The 1 1/2 ton 300 series- 650 series "small cab" GMC's, have 4 horizontal inner bars. The 700-890 series "Big Cab" Heavy Duty trucks, have 5 horizontal inner bars, & the 900 series "Big Cab" Heavy Duty Trucks have 6 horizontal inner bars. On these grilles that have the inner bars, the top bar(which is not considered a grille bar) is bolted directly to the side vertical bars. These grilles were called "Bumper Bar Grilles". They were fastened, & angle braced to the frame. The '49-'55 1/2, 3/4, & 1 ton grilles,are not the, "Bumper Bar Style" grille, & don't have the top protruding bar fastened to the side protruding verticals, in the same manner. Have I totally confused you now. Check out the Gallery, in these years, & you'll see what I'm talking about. Something else to confuse you. The '47-, & '48 1/2, 3/4, & 1 ton trucks, had a more "car-like" rounded front bumper, than the '49-'55 1st series trucks had. Had you ever noticed that.

Measured the Chevrolet grille today and confirmed my suspicions that it was for a big truck. The only differences is the frame support and height. The pickup grille is somewhere around 16 1/2 inches high and the larger truck is somewhere around 18 inches. The difference is the spacing, the grille pieces are the same. You can use a large grille for parts and vice-versa. Now if I could only find the original rivets and installation tool...........

Really about the grill????,,,THATS COOL,,CAUSE IM LOOKING FOR A GOOD USED ONE,,I KNOW WHERE A 52 1 TON TRUCK IS SITTING(FRONT HALF)BECAUSE MINE ON THE 50 GOT PUSHED IN...THATS GOOD NEWS FOR ME..