71-72 Front Bumper Question!!!

[mojomach73]

Hello everyone,
My question is why won't a 71-72 urethane front bumper fit a 73? I have tried asking everywhere even mustang parts distributors and no one has given me an answer. They all confirm that it won't fit but they don't know why. I thought that I heard somewhere that the front fascia has something to do with it but I'm not sure.
The reason I'm asking is because I am currently restoring my 73' mach1 and I want it to be a James Bond "Diamonds are Forever" clone. The only difference between mine and the 71 in the movie is the bumper.
Any info would be greatly appreciated

 

[Gud T.B. Blown]

i don't know about the eurethene bumper but i put a chrome one on the front of my '73. the eurethene should fit as they used the same mounting bracketry.

 

[mojomach73]

So it fit fine? Are there any open gaps where the bumper meets the fender or front fascia? That's what I was told would happen if I tried to mount the bumper. Do you have any pics perhaps?

 

[Gud T.B. Blown]

there is a small gap where the fender and the bumper meet but my brother in law is grinding down the lower leading edge of the grill so the bumper can be adjusted back more. i will try to post pics when he is done.

 

[Platonic Solid]

1. The Front Fenders are different between 71-72 and 73. Especially where the urethane bumper overlaps.

2. The grille on 71-72 has a lip on the bottom to fill in the void between the bumper and the grille.

3. The hood latch lever is longer on the 73, thus the access opening in the grille is also different.

4. I'm not sure that the mounting brackets are the same, as I don't have a 71-72 with a urethane bumper.

 

[Gud T.B. Blown]

3. The hood latch lever is longer on the 73, thus the access opening in the grille is also different.

4. I'm not sure that the mounting brackets are the same, as I don't have a 71-72 with a urethane bumper.

the latch lever does need to be replaced and slightly repositioned.

i can't vouch for the brackets but in the beginning i was considering a urethane bumper and cj pony parts told me they were the same. i ended up using chrome for lack of a useable urethane bumper in the correct color.

 

[mojomach73]

So bottom line is that the bumper will fit but there will be gaps? From the responses seems where the grill meets the bumper and where the bumper meets the fenders. Is that pretty much it?

 

[Gud T.B. Blown]

it would seem so with a urethane. i have seen completed chrome conversions that look factory as will mine when i am completely done, but it does take some work.

 

[Platonic Solid]

So bottom line is that the bumper will fit but there will be gaps? From the responses seems where the grill meets the bumper and where the bumper meets the fenders. Is that pretty much it?

No, I don't think it will fit without excessive fender modifications. It would be easier to replace the fenders with 71-72. Also, nothing against CJ Pony, but my gut tells me the bumper mounting brackets are longer on 73. Note that the fender extensions are longer on the 73 than 71-72, thus you risk interference between the 72 urethane and the 73 fender extension and related fender area. Sorry about the huge pic, but it's what I could find quickly:

Here's a 72 MachI:

Below is a 73 : (click small pic for large image)



Edited to change monster pic to hyperlinked thumbnail
.

 

[mojomach73]

Thanks for all the info guys. Hey pushrod can you still e-mail me some pics when your bumper is finished? I would also like to see what it looks like now if possible. Thanks.

[email protected]

 

[Platonic Solid]

there is a small gap where the fender and the bumper meet but my brother in law is grinding down the lower leading edge of the grill so the bumper can be adjusted back more. i will try to post pics when he is done.

Yes, please post pics when you're done, and maybe even a write-up on what had to be done.
.

 

[Gud T.B. Blown]

will do!!!