'72 Montego front clip on a 77-79 Tbird |
Post Reply |
Author | |
n2fordwagons
Senior Member Joined: 20-July-2013 Location: GA Status: Offline Points: 2252 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: 03-December-2014 at 6:09AM |
Some of you may know that I've got almost three complete '72 Montego front clips, that were part of the parts stash I brought home from Minneapolis. I've been thinking of ways that I might be able to use these parts. I've read the threads, and indications are that it will work. But, I wanted to get specific, so I can be 100% sure. I've been staring at pics, comparing the body and door lines. It looks like everything will line up.
Will '72 Montego fenders match up to the doorlines of a '77-'79 TBird? I've attached a couple of pics. Sorry for the lowrider pic, it was the only pic I could find without the standard trim pieces, which makes it hard to tell. And, I couldn't find a good side shot of a '72 Montego, so I went with what I could find. |
|
Jeff
71 Torino Brougham 72 Gran Torino Squire |
|
GTW
Senior Member Joined: 21-January-2012 Location: SC Status: Offline Points: 5784 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Both cars look pretty good. Would you be taking care of the T-birds rear "park bench" bumper because the 72's is thinner?
|
|
Griffin
1973 Gran Torino station wagon 1972 Gran Torino 4 Door 1971 Maverick 2 Door |
|
n2fordwagons
Senior Member Joined: 20-July-2013 Location: GA Status: Offline Points: 2252 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Heck no! Gotta have a place to sit, at car shows. Yeah, would definitely be tucking the rear bumper. And removing bumper guards, if there were any. Or maybe making a smaller bumper work, from a different year/model car. |
|
Jeff
71 Torino Brougham 72 Gran Torino Squire |
|
Big Bird
Senior Member Joined: 25-August-2013 Location: New York Status: Offline Points: 4194 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
PLEASE do this!!! It will look awesome!!! Fenders should line up, based on Dan the Ranchero man's trucklet. Front frame horns for 72 will be different, but do-able.GTW wrote: "Would you be taking care of the T-birds rear "park bench" bumper because the 72's is thinner?" That "park bench" is the same bumper that the 74-76 cars use, so one without the rubber strips or guards will fit. Dodge van bumpers are slightly narrower, and could be modified/have mounts made that will pull it in close and sit more like a rollpan in a pickup (been doing measurements, etc. for the same type of swap.
|
|
"What we do in full frontal view, is more honest than your cleaned-up mind."
Randy 1979 T-Bird 2005 F-150 STX RCSB 4.6, 3.55 LSD How the Heck does a REGULAR CAB SHORTBED weigh over 5200 pounds? |
|
aquartlow
Senior Member Joined: 19-December-2011 Location: Summerfield, Fl Status: Offline Points: 2271 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I believe Dan the Ranchero Man, is the one to talk with. IIRC, He transformed a 77-79 Ranchero(uses same door skin as 77-79 T-bird) by using a '73 Montego GT front sheet metal and it looks AWESOME!! Here you go
Edited by aquartlow - 03-December-2014 at 1:02PM |
|
www.supermotors.net/22468
Yeah, It's a Hybrid...It burns gas and tires. No matter how good she looks, somebody, somewhere, is tired of her sh*t. Beauty is skin deep, ugliness goes clear to the bone. |
|
n2fordwagons
Senior Member Joined: 20-July-2013 Location: GA Status: Offline Points: 2252 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Thanks guys. Sounds like it will work. I've got '72 frame horns, so I've got pretty much everything I'll need. Although I'm not sure about the hood latch area. I'll use my '73 MGT hood. Will that work with the T-Bird hood latch?
I'm now on the look-out for a T-top T-bird for this swap (my wife is gonna kill me!).
|
|
Jeff
71 Torino Brougham 72 Gran Torino Squire |
|
Big Bird
Senior Member Joined: 25-August-2013 Location: New York Status: Offline Points: 4194 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Dan and others told me the MGT hood is a bolt-on for the T-bird, only the center peak detail is different.
|
|
"What we do in full frontal view, is more honest than your cleaned-up mind."
Randy 1979 T-Bird 2005 F-150 STX RCSB 4.6, 3.55 LSD How the Heck does a REGULAR CAB SHORTBED weigh over 5200 pounds? |
|
n2fordwagons
Senior Member Joined: 20-July-2013 Location: GA Status: Offline Points: 2252 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I recently grabbed the tail lights and center panel from a '78 Cougar, like the one pictured below. Wonder if I can make them work on a T-Bird? It would probably require a trunk swap as well. Hmmmmmm
Edited by n2fordwagons - 04-December-2014 at 2:03PM |
|
Jeff
71 Torino Brougham 72 Gran Torino Squire |
|
aquartlow
Senior Member Joined: 19-December-2011 Location: Summerfield, Fl Status: Offline Points: 2271 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
This build is starting to sound like this Johnny Cash song:
Still sounds like a great build though.
Edited by aquartlow - 04-December-2014 at 2:22PM |
|
www.supermotors.net/22468
Yeah, It's a Hybrid...It burns gas and tires. No matter how good she looks, somebody, somewhere, is tired of her sh*t. Beauty is skin deep, ugliness goes clear to the bone. |
|
Big Bird
Senior Member Joined: 25-August-2013 Location: New York Status: Offline Points: 4194 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
You would need the taillight harness for the new lights, and you would want the metal inner panel for the Cougar as latch is placed differently. As for the quarters, you would have some holes to drill, but the taillights/quarter extension shape will fit. trunk will need to change. T-bird uses unique rear window with a crease down the center and a slight "V" shape, so trunk MAY be a problem. BTW, base Cougar (non-XR-7) taillamps/trunk is the same/substantially the same as LTD ll.
Looked at doing the reverse swap to a LTD ll to make a 4 door T-bird (with buckets, Console, etc.) with a friend a few years ago.
Edited by Big Bird - 04-December-2014 at 2:26PM |
|
"What we do in full frontal view, is more honest than your cleaned-up mind."
Randy 1979 T-Bird 2005 F-150 STX RCSB 4.6, 3.55 LSD How the Heck does a REGULAR CAB SHORTBED weigh over 5200 pounds? |
|
n2fordwagons
Senior Member Joined: 20-July-2013 Location: GA Status: Offline Points: 2252 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
LOL Haha. My wife has told me before that that song makes her think of me! |
|
Jeff
71 Torino Brougham 72 Gran Torino Squire |
|
n2fordwagons
Senior Member Joined: 20-July-2013 Location: GA Status: Offline Points: 2252 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Awesome info. I had grabbed the taillight harness. I was actually thinking of making wall art out of the center panel, and lighting it up. Still will, if I can't use it. Assuming that inner panel will have to be sawzalled (Joe'd)? And that it doesn't bolt in? I don't remember. I'll have the opportunity to go back by that Pull A Part tomorrow, so I might try to grab it. Since the trunk in the Pull A Part is for a 4 door, it would probably be too short. Looks like I need to study some more pics to see if it will work. No need to waste my time if the trunk shape won't work. Thanks!!
|
|
Jeff
71 Torino Brougham 72 Gran Torino Squire |
|
Big Bird
Senior Member Joined: 25-August-2013 Location: New York Status: Offline Points: 4194 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
The tail panel is welded in, so it would need to be cut out of the donor and the panel cut out of the t-bird and new one welded in. I THINK the 2-door and 4 door use the same trunklid... As far as the rear window/trunk shape, I would find both in j-yards and compare them. (never got that far)
|
|
"What we do in full frontal view, is more honest than your cleaned-up mind."
Randy 1979 T-Bird 2005 F-150 STX RCSB 4.6, 3.55 LSD How the Heck does a REGULAR CAB SHORTBED weigh over 5200 pounds? |
|
californiajohnny
Moderator Group Joined: 05-October-2013 Location: winlock, wa Status: Offline Points: 14609 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
what!!! i like the low rider! (just totally tuck them bumpers, and it would be bad a$$)
|
|
JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
|
dave302
Senior Member Joined: 08-October-2009 Location: usa Status: Offline Points: 3171 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
There is a pair of 77-79 thunderbird T-Tops for sale right now. Edited by dave302 - 04-December-2014 at 11:38PM |
|
unlovedford
Senior Member Joined: 17-December-2010 Location: Tennessee Status: Offline Points: 10142 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
The only song I remind everyone of is the theme from Sanford and Son.
|
|
Joe
1972 Mom's Squire Wagon 1972 Torino Wagon 1976 Torino 1968 Cougar XR7-First batch 1972 Torino 460 1989 BroncoII/Jeeps/Titanimous Popeye and Brutus (Rams) |
|
californiajohnny
Moderator Group Joined: 05-October-2013 Location: winlock, wa Status: Offline Points: 14609 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
|
JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
|
n2fordwagons
Senior Member Joined: 20-July-2013 Location: GA Status: Offline Points: 2252 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Big Bird. What year model Dodge van??
|
|
Jeff
71 Torino Brougham 72 Gran Torino Squire |
|
Big Bird
Senior Member Joined: 25-August-2013 Location: New York Status: Offline Points: 4194 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
The fullsize big dodge vans have a chrome rear bumper (NOT the
step-bumpers though!!!) that are similar in size and are meant to tuck
tight to the van body
Game plan was to use a bumper like this, trim where needed and paint argent. It already has a license plate cut-out and the shape of the ends is close to the shape of the car body. With the filler pieces removed, the bumper could be mounted tight to, or even slightly under the taillight panel edge. |
|
"What we do in full frontal view, is more honest than your cleaned-up mind."
Randy 1979 T-Bird 2005 F-150 STX RCSB 4.6, 3.55 LSD How the Heck does a REGULAR CAB SHORTBED weigh over 5200 pounds? |
|
n2fordwagons
Senior Member Joined: 20-July-2013 Location: GA Status: Offline Points: 2252 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Reason I ask. I saw a 77 dodge van at pull a part today.
|
|
Jeff
71 Torino Brougham 72 Gran Torino Squire |
|
n2fordwagons
Senior Member Joined: 20-July-2013 Location: GA Status: Offline Points: 2252 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Gotta question related to this. I realize the 77-79 Thunderbird door skins are the same as the 77-79 Ranchero. How about the rest of the door structure? Would I be able to remove the internals, windows, door panels, etc from a T-Bird door and swap them over to a Ranchero door?
|
|
Jeff
71 Torino Brougham 72 Gran Torino Squire |
|
Big Bird
Senior Member Joined: 25-August-2013 Location: New York Status: Offline Points: 4194 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
You can take the Thunderbird door and put it on the Ranchero. It is the same door skin, the same door frame , and the same window. the only thing that may be different is the interior panel, and that depends on the Ranchero's options.
|
|
"What we do in full frontal view, is more honest than your cleaned-up mind."
Randy 1979 T-Bird 2005 F-150 STX RCSB 4.6, 3.55 LSD How the Heck does a REGULAR CAB SHORTBED weigh over 5200 pounds? |
|
n2fordwagons
Senior Member Joined: 20-July-2013 Location: GA Status: Offline Points: 2252 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Awesome. I've located a Thunderbird but it's a bit rusty including the doors. I've got Ranchero doors I can use. Now to decide if I wanna deal with the rest of the rust issues. Or keep looking. Thanks
|
|
Jeff
71 Torino Brougham 72 Gran Torino Squire |
|
Regul8r
Admin Group Moderator Joined: 26-December-2007 Location: Sarasota FL Status: Offline Points: 6624 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
yup the doors on the 77-79 cars are the same.
Just as the 72-76 stuff is too |
|
Carl Corey (Moderator/Event Coordinator) Contact ANYTIME!
1976 Ford Elite "Lola Mae" 97 Suzuki Intruder 1400 US Army Retired |
|
Post Reply | |
Tweet |
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |