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Tractor Grille Shells on your hot rod?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Johnny Ace, Jun 23, 2004.

  1. Johnny Ace
    Joined: Jul 20, 2002
    Posts: 2,200

    Johnny Ace
    Member

    We have seen some very nice tractor grilles sitting in numerous desolate fields...no doubt, many of you have as well....We are getting ready to rescue a few, and were wanting to request any photos from the board of anyone utilizing a tractor shell on their hot rod....also, if you know what it came off of?
    We are guilty of doing mental cuts on 'em in the short amount of time it takes to drive by, but what are the realities of adapting one to a project?
    Thanks in advance.....
     
  2. Jester
    Joined: Nov 4, 2003
    Posts: 961

    Jester
    Member
    from Blevins AR

    sorry for ot'ing on your post but I just got to know......is there more than one of you inside that head....I've noticed its always "We". Are you encluding Kali or do we have something in common with the skitzofrantic don't panic disorder............
     
  3. dixiedog
    Joined: Mar 20, 2002
    Posts: 1,204

    dixiedog
    Member

    Oh boy - now the cats out of the bag!!

    I have been bidding for one of these on egay for a while now unsucessfully, seems the restorers like to give good money for a straight one. And, a decent name plate goes for big $$$.

    just verify dimensions from the seller and some are cast iron so the weight will kill your shipping budget. The WC grills seem to be prevelant and fit nicely, Deeres are usually too narrow (~17") Ford 800 series look cool and could work with sides added to them.

    Here's a trick - when searching the 'gay spelling can be grill or grille and sometimes shroud will show one.

    Can't believe I am rambling like this, but we are family.
     
  4. hunter lake
    Joined: Apr 17, 2004
    Posts: 33

    hunter lake
    Member

    I actually know a guy from a local club who is using a tractor grill setup on a kustom 28 dodge roadster, I'll try to post some pictures in a bit .......

    hunter
     
  5. Johnny Ace
    Joined: Jul 20, 2002
    Posts: 2,200

    Johnny Ace
    Member

    You got it right on both counts, Jester....
    Ever heard of Chang and Eng?

    Photos?Anyone?
     
  6. junk runner jr
    Joined: Dec 21, 2001
    Posts: 456

    junk runner jr
    Member

    I always thoght a grill off of a ****shut would be cool.
     
  7. cleatus
    Joined: Mar 1, 2002
    Posts: 2,277

    cleatus
    Member
    from Sacramento

    Funny you mention this, as just a few days ago I spotted a really cool art-deco style grill and hood on an OLD snow cat at an abondoned ski area not far from here. Would look really cool on a roadster. Tempted to go up there late some night with a box of tools.
     
  8. Anderson
    Joined: Jan 27, 2003
    Posts: 7,560

    Anderson
    Member

    I may or may not be using one like this on my modified...may use most of a '37 truck shell instead. This is an older Case shell.

    [​IMG]

    Here's one:

     

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  9. DrJ
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 9,419

    DrJ
    Member

    [ QUOTE ]
    I always thoght a grill off of a ****shut would be cool.

    [/ QUOTE ]

    Those were cool looking in th 40s but I wouldn't want to bother splainin the name all the damn time.
    I would put a '48 Oliver shell on a Model A rod in a second.
     
  10. FORD FAN
    Joined: Feb 17, 2003
    Posts: 247

    FORD FAN
    Member

    Not to change the subject to much, but I saw a pic in a magazine article on Vern Tardell's shop of a 34 sedan with a narrowed 37 truck grill. That looked really sweet. Much better than the super expensive 34 grill shell.
     
  11. Cword
    Joined: Mar 5, 2001
    Posts: 744

    Cword
    Member

    If you look at your HAMB calendar, in the garage scene, that's a ****shutt grill hanging infront of the banger motor.
     
  12. Johnny Ace
    Joined: Jul 20, 2002
    Posts: 2,200

    Johnny Ace
    Member

    This is what originally got us going...Hans' 27 Roadster project...
    ( this photo was taken awhile back,the sbc was for temp mock-up...Flathead Caddy reserved for it.)

    The grille came from a '37 IH 2-ton truck....Hans' shortened it approx.8" and will ultimately narrow it another 2".....he will handmake a wire insert for it...

    [​IMG]
     
  13. cornfieldrodder
    Joined: Sep 20, 2002
    Posts: 975

    cornfieldrodder
    Member

    I'm useing a 30s Minniapolis-Moline shell. I'ts a bit heavy, but it mounts through the bottom flange, has headlight stantion mounts and is heavy duty enuogh to support the radiator. The grille on them is just expanded metal, so I may buils something out of aluminum.
    The ****shut grille is beautiful. A one man mod would look cool with a David-Bradley shell.
     
  14. slammed
    Joined: Jun 10, 2004
    Posts: 8,150

    slammed
    Member

    That pic of K&R's idea work's well ineed.
     
  15. scarylarry
    Joined: Apr 24, 2001
    Posts: 2,547

    scarylarry
    Member

    Hey Johnny, I have an extra tractor shell for ya. I got $435.00 in it...let me know if you are interested. [​IMG]
     
  16. Hey Johnny, Here is the one I'm using on my T. Its a 1937 Oliver.
     
  17. Johnny Ace
    Joined: Jul 20, 2002
    Posts: 2,200

    Johnny Ace
    Member

    Great posts,folks.....I forgot to ask about other shells being put to use,so it's good that other vehicles are being included in the thread.....
     
  18. cadlights
    Joined: Jun 12, 2003
    Posts: 865

    cadlights
    Member
    from Hooper, Ut

    Here's one I found in a gullywash in St Charles Idaho about
    twenty two years ago. It hung out as yard art till about two years ago when I had a brainstorm for the coupe. Filled all three holes and made the insert out of 5/16 rod.
    Allis Chalmers, early fifties I think. But then who cares.
     

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  19. fab32
    Joined: May 14, 2002
    Posts: 13,985

    fab32
    Member Emeritus

    I'm going to use a '48 Oliver grille and shell on a modified project I'm collecting parts for. I got it from an Oliver restorer before they got popular, now he wants it back, He's out of luck [​IMG]

    Frank
     
  20. olskool37
    Joined: Mar 4, 2004
    Posts: 181

    olskool37
    Member

    What about a Ford 8N grille, on a Ford 'bucket?
    [​IMG]
    if that doesn't work try the link
    Ford 8N tractor
     
  21. Levis Classic
    Joined: Oct 7, 2003
    Posts: 4,066

    Levis Classic
    Member

    I'll be using a mid 50's case shell on my Tudor!
     
  22. Crease
    Joined: May 7, 2002
    Posts: 2,878

    Crease
    Member

    Johnny,

    It's a great way to go. They're very unique and in most cases cheap. We (Im not a Schizo, talkin bout the Barons) went out to a local yard with Barnett and found a nice one. We couldn't get that thing pulled off quick enough. It'll be goin on Danny's little bucket.

     
  23. I have two of these. Dean
     

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  24. ChuckleHead_Al
    Joined: Mar 29, 2004
    Posts: 2,165

    ChuckleHead_Al
    Member

    And I thought I was alone, when it came to tractor grilles.. They are the shiznit..
     
  25. Jimv
    Joined: Dec 5, 2001
    Posts: 2,924

    Jimv
    Member

    This is an example for "something differant is cool" No matter what you do or think,its still a tractor grill!They belong on tractors!!Come on guys this is a "fad" that should never catch on.
    I know a guy whos building a T bucket & hes using an old "standup" milk truck grill & let me tell you its the ugliest ****in thing I have ever seen put on a rod.Nothin wrong with a nice Model A or duece grill.I know your going to say"Everybody" uses those but the reason they'
    re used is cause they look good!!lol
    JimV
     
  26. zman
    Joined: Apr 2, 2001
    Posts: 16,790

    zman
    Member
    from Garner, NC

    [ QUOTE ]
    .Nothin wrong with a nice Model A or duece grill.
    JimV

    [/ QUOTE ]

    Except the price these fools want for them now. That's what's apealing about an alterantive, they're usually really cheap.
     
  27. Dago Red
    Joined: May 22, 2002
    Posts: 314

    Dago Red
    Member
    from Delaware

    [ QUOTE ]
    No matter what you do or think,its still a tractor grill!They belong on tractors!!


    [/ QUOTE ]

    I thought this was hot rodding. Nothing "belongs" anywhere. If it looks cool (and no one can tell me that those swoopy Oliver and ****shutt grilles don't look cool), go for it.
     
  28. dixiedog
    Joined: Mar 20, 2002
    Posts: 1,204

    dixiedog
    Member

    Olskool - The problem with the 8N & 9N grilles is you need to cut/tack the hood and sides to make a unit, not that it can't be done, it would get pricey unless you have one laying around.

     
  29. Kooter
    Joined: Sep 28, 2002
    Posts: 78

    Kooter
    Member
    from Burbank

    heres the same or similar grille as one posted already on a different rod.
     

    Attached Files:

  30. [ QUOTE ]
    heres the same or similar grille as one posted already on a different rod.

    [/ QUOTE ] Same car. BenD built it here in Missouri. Dean
     

    Attached Files:

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