Blacktop Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 Looks good! How hard was it to mask the grille? And, did you replace the Ford name plate when you painted the grille? It looks darker in the 2nd pic. Hi Gary, yeah fitted a new badge that I had kicking around to pretty it up. It took a long time to mask everything. Just took my time with a lot of patience. Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 Hi Gary, yeah fitted a new badge that I had kicking around to pretty it up. It took a long time to mask everything. Just took my time with a lot of patience. Alan Looks like you got one of the later badges, which are a bit darker than the Bullnose badges. But, they are available for about half the price of a Bullnose badge, and few know the differences so that's what I'm doing as well. As for masking, I asked because John/Machspeed and I were talking about that yesterday. The grille on Big Blue is all hacked up on the back because decided he wanted to put the massive engine oil cooler on the wrong way 'round. It isn't obvious from the front, but can be seen. That grille is dark in the egg crate, but I have one in better shape that is light in there. So I'm thinking of painting it, but it looks like a huge pain to mask. John said he opted to buy one rather than paint his. Of course, in the UK that's less of an option due to the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
66gtk Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 Looks like you got one of the later badges, which are a bit darker than the Bullnose badges. But, they are available for about half the price of a Bullnose badge, and few know the differences so that's what I'm doing as well. As for masking, I asked because John/Machspeed and I were talking about that yesterday. The grille on Big Blue is all hacked up on the back because decided he wanted to put the massive engine oil cooler on the wrong way 'round. It isn't obvious from the front, but can be seen. That grille is dark in the egg crate, but I have one in better shape that is light in there. So I'm thinking of painting it, but it looks like a huge pain to mask. John said he opted to buy one rather than paint his. Of course, in the UK that's less of an option due to the price. Gary, I had trouble locating the proper earlier grill emblem when I did mine and had to use the newer/darker one. Can you share where to purchase the proper earlier one please? Thanks, Troy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 Gary, I had trouble locating the proper earlier grill emblem when I did mine and had to use the newer/darker one. Can you share where to purchase the proper earlier one please? Thanks, Troy Here's an excerpt of a recent post of mine: There are two versions of the oval that I'm aware of that fit our trucks: Original: These are marked E2TB-9843156-A and are part number E2TZ 9842528-A. 1987 & later: These are marked E7TB-9843156-AA and are part number E7TZ 9842528-A You can see the differences in the two in Rusty's post here. And while the E2 version is more "correct", Big Blue came to me with the E7 version, so I'd be happy replacing it with one of those. And now to answer your question - I don't have a good source. I did quite a bit of research and came up with this on Amazon: Genuine Ford F2TZ-9842528-A Nameplate. But in spite of Amazon saying it'll fit my '85 I'm very sure it won't, although I haven't canceled the order yet. As John/Machspeed pointed out, the reviews say it won't fit and the dimensions are wrong. So, back to the drawing board, and all of the early ones I found were something like $75 plus shipping, and the shipping was significant. So, since the one that was on Big Blue when I got him was the later badge I ordered this one: E7tz9842528a Name Plate Oem Ford. And in spite of Amazon saying it won't fit, I know it will as it is the same one that I took off Big Blue - and damaged. But, if you find a good source please buy a few and then let us know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcarlisle Posted January 25, 2022 Share Posted January 25, 2022 Dont know if it is right for my 81 Custom or the 81 Ranger but I did my doors & grille in dark cast iron To me it looks like the Argent grille color. Dave ---- I like the dark gray best. I did mine that way as well. Figured it's 40 years old and on mine exact restoration isn't a necessity. The masking takes a while, for sure. I also misted the recesses on my chrome bar grille and then wiped the paint off the chrome with lacquer thinner. My chrome is pretty bad to start with. Just wanted to look a little better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LARIAT 85 Posted May 3, 2022 Share Posted May 3, 2022 Painted mine black, was argent previously. Just needed brightening up a bit. I like it. Before https://forum.garysgaragemahal.com/file/n111294/20211118_143322.jpg After https://forum.garysgaragemahal.com/file/n111294/20211119_103130.jpg Say, I like that too. My truck has chrome/dark charcoal headlight doors and a chrome argent grille. That is how Ford did it, but after looking at your truck, I think I might have to paint the argent recesses of my chrome grille black to match the headlight doors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts