69 Ranger grille on a 68?

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jimilivz
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69 Ranger grille on a 68?

Post by jimilivz »

Working on my 68 f250 c/s with Ranger trim. The grille has the red horizontal stripe used on the 69 Rangers. Mine is a late production 68 (June 1). I have only had it a few months. It has the headlight doors for a 68. There are no signs the vehicle has been in a crash that would require replacing the grille. It doesn't appear to be hand painted either. Anyone ever hear of a late 68 Ranger getting a 69 Ranger grille? Was Ford likely to do this, maybe to keep production moving along?
68 F250 CS Ranger 390 C6
chicof100
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Re: 69 Ranger grille on a 68?

Post by chicof100 »

The 68 Ranger Grille (Half round center horizontal bar) is hard to come by. Production of the 68 grille was halted early 68. Ford started making the 69 Ranger grille in 68. When all 68 grilles were used up at the factories, the 69 grille was then installed. The 69 grille later described as 68/69 grille
was the only replacement grille that stayed in production for awhile. The 69 grille was what a person would have received as replacement for 67, 68 and 69.
After many years of no reproduced grilles, D.C. started reproducing them. These reproduction grilles are cheap in quality and the anodizing is sub par. The reproduced grilles are made in Taiwan.
As for the headlight bezels, Only the smooth ones were available as replacement. These would work on all grilles from 67-69
The 69 Ranger bezels were used specifically for the 69 Ranger and are not reproduced. (At least I have found no vendors reproducing them)
Hope this helps.
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jimilivz
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Re: 69 Ranger grille on a 68?

Post by jimilivz »

Thanks so much. So, in my efforts to restore this truck, would it be more appropriate to keep the grille as is, since it likely came from the factory with it, or remove the red horizontal stripe and paint the 3 vertical posts as the 68 Ranger grille is configured?

I am inclined to keep it as is. But I can hear it now: "hey do you know you have a 69 grille on your 68?".
68 F250 CS Ranger 390 C6
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HIO Silver
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Re: 69 Ranger grille on a 68?

Post by HIO Silver »

I say keep it as is.... if anyone points it out let them know it's a placeholder until a nice n correct 68 shell comes up.

I wouldn't paint it... better to let it be than making it what it is not.
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Re: 69 Ranger grille on a 68?

Post by lilorbie »

maybe the po got a good deal on a alum. grille. their truck could have been made with a steel one. and they liked the look of a alum. better.?
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