Just picked up this original 32 grille insert that’s missing 16 bars. Tried All Ford Parts and they are out of stock. Has anyone purchased the plain steel 32 grille bars recently from any of the vendors? Thanks!
I got some from Bob Drake but when I went to order more they were sold out. So I made my own and my tech. I had to make a few grill bars and this is how I made mine. Started out with 22 gauge or .030 and found its easier to bend on my brake in a bigger panel rather then strips .540 wide. The brake I have wants to slip out when you fold or brake the strips so ended up made some scrap. So the brake will only bend it to about 60 degrees and so need to fold it over and tried a few thing. The first was the bead roller and it worked great but the grill bars got distorted and twisted. I have another brake but its buried away. So I found the vice with a drywall joint knife folded it nicely. I will make a brake press jig to do the full length in the next day or two as I am missing 30 grill bars.. Now cutting it I ended up flipping it upside down and slid it into shear against the blade and did a great job. The look just like the real deal
Talked to Josh at NW Classic. I’m going to send him some original bars to use for reverse engineering them. He makes very nice products!
Yes they are fairly easy to make if you have a jump shear. I think the biggest issue was trying to get a set up to be consistent. We are pretty busy at work right now but if I do get a chance I’ll make a few hundred. I have to see if I have the correct material and or order a sheet.
I sent some original bars to Josh at NW for him to work with. Got the stainless trim removed and grille ready to blast. Removed the bent bars that will be straightened, blasted, and reinstalled. Planning on doing epoxy primer and painting with original French grey with flattener.
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