Blacked out grill inserts

 I've seen a number of Bull Nose Trucks with Blacked out Grill inserts , (if thats what you call it ).  Did these trucks come that way originally from the factory or is this custom painted by the owners.  Mine is a flat grey color. I would like my 86 to have this look but it seems like it would be a job to mask off all of the chrome to do so.  But worth it.

There were several grilles, and they varied by year, as shown here: Exterior/Exterior Trim And Moulding and then the Grilles, Moulding, & Headlight Doors tab.

No, they did not come that way from Ford.  The chrome and argent grilles had gray (argent) inserts. The only grille that had black (dark charcoal) inserts was the black (dark charcoal) painted grille, which was all one color.

What color is your radiator core support?  

Most radiator core supports were painted black, but I have seen some that were painted gray and others were painted the same color as the body.  If it isn't black - and you paint your grille inserts black - the radiator support color will show from the front of your truck.  Also, most radiators are aluminum colored, so that will show as well.

Gray inserts will "hide" the components that are behind the grille better than black.  If you paint the inserts black, you would also need to paint everything behind it black as well for it to look right.  

LARIAT 85 wrote

No, they did not come that way from Ford.  The chrome and argent grilles had gray (argent) inserts. The only grille that had black (dark charcoal) inserts was the black (dark charcoal) painted grille, which was all one color.

I was wondering that about the grills and inserts myself. I've seen lots of these in pictures, but if they're all aftermarket that makes sense. I know LMC and NPD sell them, etc.

I have the black (dark charcoal grill) in my truck now. It looks black I guess, but it's not really black. I bought it from a local guy that used to work at Ford and has collected a lot of old parts. I have no idea what it came out of, other than obviously an 82-86 model.

I have the black ones for the headlights from LMC. They have a chrome and black grill too but I just painted my grill black until I scratch up the cash for the chrome and black but I like it so well I’ll probably just leave it black. I think LMC lists the black parts as Bronco and the gray as F-150, not sure if that’s true or not.

1980/81

https://www.ebay.com/itm/80-86-1980-1986-Ford-Truck-Bronco-Grill-Grille-F150-F250-F350-Black/132908292826?hash=item1ef1f39ada:g:wecAAOSwOWdcL3AG:rk:15:pf:0

One to be painted [OEM]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-1980-1981-F-Series-Trucks-Bronco-Front-Grill/323623072634?epid=18019906901&hash=item4b5970337a:g:RF8AAOSwF25bCZrg:rk:22:pf:0