You know all those new TV shows out there that makeover unsuspecting subjects in record time and take you along for the ride? They've been doing makeovers to people on daytime talk shows for years, and lately they've transferred the process to cars and trucks, and ended up with a handful of hit cable shows. But do you know who invented it? We did! That's right, the car magazines. Ever since Mr. Robert Peterson and hot rod magazines just like us have been showing readers like you how to go faster, look better, and save a little time and a few bucks in the process.
Not being ones to disappoint, there are a couple of new unsuspecting subjects hanging around the CLASSIC TRUCKS headquarters. One is a '53 Chevy, the other is this '69 C10, and both are in need of some extreme making over. As far as the '69 is concerned, it seemed only logical to start in the front. And that decision just happened to coincide with some new products from Long Motor, better known as LMC Truck.
LMC is one of the biggest suppliers of '47-to-present Ford and Chevy truck parts--period. If you can't find it in their year-specific catalogs, it's probably not available. New to LMC's '69-72 Chevy product line is their triple nickel premium chromed steel grille shell, which matches nicely with their '67-70 front bumper, also covered in high-quality chrome. Another extremely cool feature of the grille is that it's available with a 4mm billet grille insert already installed, taking one of the most difficult steps out of the process. Also on our parts order was LMC's new Crystal Clear 7-inch headlights, H4 halogen bulbs, headlight bezels, LMC's new clear side markers, and all the necessary hardware.
Our shipment arrived in a timely manner, and soon after, we ran the C10 to see Marcel Venable at Line-X of Huntington Beach. Spray-in bedliners are obviously the main focus, but Line-X of HB also specializes in accessories and trim for just about all makes and years of truck. Even with lots of cleaning and painting along the way, our install took only a few hours, and the front end of this C10 never looked better.
 |
 Our not-so-beautiful grille...  Our not-so-beautiful grille in its "before" state. |
 Resting on a backdrop of Line-X,...  Resting on a backdrop of Line-X, the new LMC grille shell comes with triple nickel premium chrome and with the billet grille insert already installed. Also shown is the new bumper, Euro clear headlights, along with the required bezels, bulbs, and bolts. |
 We started by removing the...  We started by removing the old headlight bezels, followed by the hood latch assembly and center support bolts. |
 Next, we removed the four...  Next, we removed the four rivets on each side of the old grille shell where it attaches to the inner brackets. |
 Now, the six bolts that secure...  Now, the six bolts that secure the bumper were removed. |
 The four brackets came off...  The four brackets came off with the bumper so we could clean and paint them off the truck. |
 Two upper and two lower bolts...  Two upper and two lower bolts hold the grille shell brackets to the fender on each side. |
 With those bolts removed,...  With those bolts removed, the old grille is removed from the truck. The remaining rivets that hold the inner brackets to the old shell were drilled out. |
 The entire core support, frame,...  The entire core support, frame, and previously removed brackets were cleaned and painted flat black. |