1972-1976 Ford and Mercury

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Clip swap

Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: Model Specific Forum
Forum Name: 1972-1976 Ford and Mercury
Forum Description: Technical discussion for 1972-1976 Ford and Mercury
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=3335
Printed Date: 19-April-2024 at 8:21PM
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Clip swap

Posted By: 73GTS
Subject: Clip swap
Date Posted: 30-March-2010 at 1:46AM

Anyone know if a '73 Torino front clip would fit on a '79 Ranchero?

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Jim

Replies:

Posted By: Eliteman76
Date Posted: 30-March-2010 at 6:08AM

Realistically, it depends if door skins are the same or not.

I would think it would be a direct swap, but not sure on the front frame horns?

Not doing the 72 front clip conversion now?

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Andrew:GTS.ORG admin, '72 Q code 5 speed Restomod
Pondering: #99Problems

Posted By: 73GTS
Date Posted: 30-March-2010 at 6:20AM

Oh.....This is another possible project in the works. Just being curious because

if it come to reality, then I may keep the '73 clip for the swap if it works.

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Jim

Posted By: SquireCJ
Date Posted: 30-March-2010 at 7:59AM

Fenders and doors do not match, you would have to do a whole lot of fabrication to the body panels to make it work. Direct fits would be 1974-1979 Cougar, 1972-1976 Montego, 1977-1979 Thunderbird, 1974-1976 Gran Torino Elite.
Here is a link to a Montego front end swap on a "79 Ranchero
http://www.ranchero.us/forums/showthread.php?t=11391&highlight=montego&page=19 - http://www.ranchero.us/forums/showthread.php?t=11391&highlight=montego&page=19

Here is another one

Here s a '1977-79 Ranchero with an Elite front end.

Here is a Cougar front clip on a 1977-79 Ranchero

Here is a 1978 Ranchero with a 1977-79 Thunderbird Front end

here is a Ranchero with a an Edsel front end.

Here is my favorite Ranchero front end swap, a 1970-71 Ranchero with a 1970-1971 Mercury Cyclone front end

Posted By: SquireCJ
Date Posted: 30-March-2010 at 8:09AM

For some reason the Thunderbird front end picture would not show in the last post.

Posted By: 73GTS
Date Posted: 30-March-2010 at 4:15PM

That's too cool!! Love it!! What year Montego is on the 77-79? And hood?

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Jim

Posted By: SquireCJ
Date Posted: 30-March-2010 at 5:39PM

73GTS wrote:

That's too cool!! Love it!! What year Montego is on the 77-79? And hood?

That is a 1973 Montego GT front end on a 1979 Ranchero in the first picture.

Posted By: SquireCJ
Date Posted: 30-March-2010 at 5:41PM

The second picture with the black Ranchero is a 1972 Montego front clip. The bumper is different.

Posted By: 73GTS
Date Posted: 30-March-2010 at 5:55PM

So how does the 72 bumper work? Shouldn't there be the same problem as the 72 to 73 Torino conversion. And my other question is, do you need the 73 Montego fenders too?

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Jim

Posted By: SquireCJ
Date Posted: 30-March-2010 at 6:50PM

I believe the same issues when using a '72 Montego front clip on a '77-'79 Ranchero as you would have using a '72 Gran Torino/Ranchero front clip on a '73-76 Ranchero. You would have to use the front frame end of the the '72 on the '77-79 Ranchero. You would have to swap fenders as well.

From Dan the Ranchero Man

The 77-79 ranchero uses the montego body lines. so that means that you can bolt up the following front clips ( you will need complete with the fenders) 74-76 elite, cougar 73-76 montego 72 montego will work but just like doing a 72 torino on your 73-76 you will need to do some fab work on the front frame rails for the bumper mounting. also the 77-79 cougar,t-bird will bolt right up. as an added bonus you might like to know that the 72-73 montego GT hood will work very nice with the 72-76 montegos and the 74-76 cougars.

Posted By: 73GTS
Date Posted: 31-March-2010 at 1:43AM

OK...Great info

Thanks

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Jim

Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 31-March-2010 at 1:53AM

SquireCJ wrote:

Here is a Cougar front clip on a 1977-79 Ranchero

Nice to see the Cougars getting some love! That is a neat front end swap. I also loved the Edsel one you showed; very professional-looking and lets you see what could have been!

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1977 Cougar XR7
1980 turbo Trans Am
2009 Pontiac G8 GT

Posted By: ramair351
Date Posted: 31-March-2010 at 6:35AM

SquireCJ wrote:

For some reason the Thunderbird front end picture would not show in the last post.

this car looks familiar!, although i like the 72 montego clip swap the best too.

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-Pete
1972 montego GT
1970 Torino cobra SCJ
1970 mustang mach 1
1965 Falcon futura

Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 31-March-2010 at 7:54AM

I like the Montego GT nose on the Ranchero the best,it looks Kewl!

Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 31-March-2010 at 8:16AM

I want a 74-76 Montego nose on my 78 Cougar :)

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Paul
77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD*
78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1
79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1
'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500

Posted By: 72sport
Date Posted: 31-March-2010 at 9:26AM

Psquare75 wrote:

I want a 74-76 Montego nose on my 78 Cougar :)

I want a 74-76 Cougar clip on my Montego

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Tom
1972 Gran Torino Sport 4Spd
1974 Montego wagon "GT" with GT hood, correct buckets
seats, console, and floor shift
2013 Focus 5 speed- Daily driver

Posted By: 73GTS
Date Posted: 01-April-2010 at 2:11PM

sounds like you 2 need to get together and swap clips.

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Jim