Projects 1946 Ford Truck grille ideas

Hello everyone, it's been a while since we had a HAMB-friendly vehicle, but it looks like we will be picking up a 1946 Ford Truck in about a week. All in all decent shape, but needs some finishing. One big thing is the grille. Looks like the jailbars were cut out at some points. So I either need to replace that front nose piece so I can get the chrome grille bars, or I need to figure out something else for the front end. Had anyone seen any custom grilles or grille swaps that actually look good on these trucks? Or have that front piece laying around back somewhere?

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That is a tough row to how. I always thought the Jailbar Fords had a mug that only a mother could love tolerate.

As far as a grill idea, there is a thread on the HAMB, that shows a person grafting '46 / '47 Ford car front clip on, and it turned out pretty damn cool, not an easy job but the end result was awesome. My quick search come up empty, but maybe you or someone else will have better luck.

Good luck with the project and post pics as you go. I think a bunch of us would be curious to see how it turns out.

 

I've felt the same way. Not the ugliest from Ford, but dang near close. My wife has particular attachment to this body style from her childhood. I'm trying to figure out how to tweak it just enough to look like Ford might have done it from the factory.

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I'd find an original jail-bar front cap if it was mine.

 

Put the original back in. just my 2 cents. This is my Jailbar.

 

I happen to love these dumb things for just being a shade "ugly"... I have yet to see one modified that looked better than stock. Have you considered maybe looking for a Canadian Mercury nose for yours?

 

I have a complete canadian merc grille setup ready to go. Pm if ya want details.
Also have a ford panel ready too

 

For reference, a Merc nose.... Also, we have a good buy and sell group for these trucks going on facebook, 1942-1947 Ford Trucks aka Jail bars.

 

I like the car bumper on these

 

I like the bumper brackets myself, Bailing wire!

 

I recently did see the Merc nose, I think they look nice. If I could afford one, I might go that route.

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Found this on Pinterest. A 47 Ford car front end on the same year truck.
http://pin.it/1H4CtRq

 

That's funny. I actually saw that one, but thought it was a Mercury truck. Now I see the differences. I like the headlight placement better being farther out. I just might go that route if I find one cheap.

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I'd put a 40-41 front end on it

 

Would that '40-'41 front end fit? Obviously not bolt on, but would it fit? Anyone ever done it?

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40 or 41 truck is bolt on and go same cab other later has tank under the seat and not at pinto location . Don't say a thing , I have a 32 with the pinto factor and drive it often .

 

That might be perfect! My wife really wanted a '40, but they are so hard to find for cheap. And I know they make reproduction sheet metal for those. My fuel tank will be under the bed.

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Problem solved. You're welcome.







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Oh wow! No no no no no

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Unfortunately, while a '40-'41 nose will physically bolt up to the cab of your truck, the frame rails and parallel leaf springs won't let that '40-'41 nose sit on the frame. Not a simple bolt together. How about showing a picture of what you have?

 

I just read about the track width. And I posted a picture on page #1 of the front grille. It's the yellow truck. I don't avidly pick it up until Sunday.

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It's sitting on a modified '75 F100 frame with Twin I-Beams, Power disc brakes, Power Steering, mildly built 390, C6

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...I think Ford got it rite...

 

Umpgh, sorry I just threw up in my mouth a bit when I saw that.

Seriously, leave it stock, or if you really want to go custom, go with the Merc grille.

 

The jail bars were straightened out and polished. This truck was a 20 year project completed about 5 years ago

 

this is my version...i know...not the greatest....it was supposed to be temporary but ghas been there 10 years si guess
it is part of the furniture now.....
planning a complete makover in the near future and the grille will be replicated but a better job and chromed and
also plan on cutting and extending the cab by 4 inches for a bit more leg room

 

I thought many times about going with a '40-'41 front on my '42, they are pretty trucks! The stock '42 eventually grew on me however and I found some NOS jail bars to replace my bad ones so that helped. I hear the repops don't fit very well. I'd think seriously about the '40-'41 sheetmetal if I were you.

 

I do a lot of 46-47 trucks. I use the steel replacement grill bars, not the tchrome so I can paint them, take 1 out of each section and then respacing the bars. The section that had 3 bars, now has 2, and so on. I think it looks much better, the original grill was just too packed in. My way to keep as much original as possible, but improved. One man's effort.

 

I had heard that the front end swap was possible, and I like it. I always preferred the horizontal grille as opposed to the vertical bars.
Bob