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Project Sit In A Field For The Next Year

  • Thread starter Thread starter cenok is family
  • Start date Start date Sep 2, 2016
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cenok is family

15 Year Member
Jun 25, 2003
1,409
69
79
Norman, Ok
Sep 2, 2016
#1
  • Sep 2, 2016
  • #1
I'm back after a 4+ year hiatus and I brought an 81 t top car with me! I'm trying to figure out what to do with it. It's just a shell (no harness or interior) and I originally purchased it with the intentions of swapping everything from my 87 GT over to. It was originally a 255 auto car and the body is straight as an arrow with no rust. I was never a big fan of the 79-82 front bumper, but after looking for parts for this thing and realizing how rare they seem to be anymore, I'm kind of wanting to keep the original bumpers now. I may be able to salvage the factory bumpers I have, but if not, does anyone know where to get 79-82 parts? If sourcing parts is going to be too much of a hassle, i'm just going to swap everything from my 87 or another 87-89 car. I know you foureye people are going to hate that, but it is what it is. Thanks!
 

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Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,249
17,934
224
Massachusetts
Sep 2, 2016
#2
  • Sep 2, 2016
  • #2
Sweet. Another ttop getting saved.

I really gotta keep my eye out for one


Sent from my big ass iPhone 6 using Tapatalk
 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician
Aug 27, 2012
11,606
8,859
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In the garage
Sep 2, 2016
#3
  • Sep 2, 2016
  • #3
79-82 are tough to find. You may want to try these guys

  • MPS in Atlanta
  • Eddyson in Miami
  • Out to Pasture Parts
Nice job saving the T Top!
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,249
17,934
224
Massachusetts
Sep 2, 2016
#4
  • Sep 2, 2016
  • #4
Screw it. I'll say it. Swap everything 87GT over, except do a 85-86 nose.


Sent from my big ass iPhone 6 using Tapatalk
 
Last edited: Sep 2, 2016
Reactions: 95BlueStallion, skyline247, RangerJoe and 1 other person

billison

I like tinted tail
15 Year Member
Feb 27, 2006
2,607
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stl
Sep 2, 2016
#5
  • Sep 2, 2016
  • #5
If you swap, do a complete swap, dash and all
 
Reactions: skyline247

cenok is family

15 Year Member
Jun 25, 2003
1,409
69
79
Norman, Ok
Sep 2, 2016
#6
  • Sep 2, 2016
  • #6
mikestang63 said:
79-82 are tough to find. You may want to try these guys

  • MPS in Atlanta
  • Eddyson in Miami
  • Out to Pasture Parts
Nice job saving the T Top!
Click to expand...

Thanks man! I'll check them out.

Mustang5L5 said:
Screw it. I'll say it. Swap everything 87GT over, except do a 85-85 nose.
Click to expand...

You know, I'm actually considering doing this. Interior, wiring, drivetrain, etc are definitely going to be from an aero car one way or another and they are my favorite fox, but it would be cool to have something different than what I already have. That's the main reason why i'm considering trying to keep the factory bumpers as well. 85/86 bumpers are making their way to the front though!

billison said:
If you swap, do a complete swap, dash and all
Click to expand...

That's the plan. I would have to anyways being as there is no interior in this car at all.
 

Davedacarpainter

Chicks can make things hard if they’re inspired...
SN Certified Technician
Nov 28, 2015
11,833
11,633
203
Discordia
Sep 2, 2016
#7
  • Sep 2, 2016
  • #7
cenok is family said:
I'm back after a 4+ year hiatus and I brought an 81 t top car with me! I'm trying to figure out what to do with it. It's just a shell (no harness or interior) and I originally purchased it with the intentions of swapping everything from my 87 GT over to. It was originally a 255 auto car and the body is straight as an arrow with no rust. I was never a big fan of the 79-82 front bumper, but after looking for parts for this thing and realizing how rare they seem to be anymore, I'm kind of wanting to keep the original bumpers now. I may be able to salvage the factory bumpers I have, but if not, does anyone know where to get 79-82 parts? If sourcing parts is going to be too much of a hassle, i'm just going to swap everything from my 87 or another 87-89 car. I know you foureye people are going to hate that, but it is what it is. Thanks!
Click to expand...
PM me, I have a source in Tulsa. The place where I got my '83. He has several '79-'82 mustangs that aren't picked clean.
 
Reactions: A5literMan

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,249
17,934
224
Massachusetts
Sep 2, 2016
#8
  • Sep 2, 2016
  • #8
Does that have the 79-82 style tails still?


Sent from my big ass iPhone 6 using Tapatalk
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,249
17,934
224
Massachusetts
Sep 2, 2016
#9
  • Sep 2, 2016
  • #9
cenok is family said:
You know, I'm actually considering doing this. Interior, wiring, drivetrain, etc are definitely going to be from an aero car one way or another and they are my favorite fox, but it would be cool to have something different than what I already have. That's the main reason why i'm considering trying to keep the factory bumpers as well. 85/86 bumpers are making their way to the front though!

all.
Click to expand...

Since you aren't going 100% factory resto then just do what appeals to you. Take off the '82 specific parts and make sure they find someone that really needs them.

I've never really seen a full aero type car with 85/86 nose. I guess you can mix and match a bit here as well, like old school tails and hatch



Sent from my big ass iPhone 6 using Tapatalk
 

hoopty5.0

mechanicus terribilis
15 Year Member
Dec 14, 2010
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SW Houston
Sep 3, 2016
#10
  • Sep 3, 2016
  • #10
FEP would burn you on a stake. I like it.
 
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cenok is family

15 Year Member
Jun 25, 2003
1,409
69
79
Norman, Ok
Sep 3, 2016
#11
  • Sep 3, 2016
  • #11
Davedacarpainter said:
PM me, I have a source in Tulsa. The place where I got my '83. He has several '79-'82 mustangs that aren't picked clean.
Click to expand...

awesome man, thanks! I'll PM you shortly

Mustang5L5 said:
Does that have the 79-82 style tails still?
Click to expand...

It does, but those are definitely getting changed. I can't bring myself to like them at all. They're pretty beat up anyways.

Mustang5L5 said:
Since you aren't going 100% factory resto then just do what appeals to you. Take off the '82 specific parts and make sure they find someone that really needs them.

I've never really seen a full aero type car with 85/86 nose. I guess you can mix and match a bit here as well, like old school tails and hatch
Click to expand...

This is what i'm probably going to end up doing. I never thought i'd say it, but i'm excited about having a four eye car lol. I'll get the core support off cleanly and try to find someone that can use the parts. The hood is perfect as well.

hoopty5.0 said:
FEP would burn you on a stake. I like it.
Click to expand...

haha I was perusing FEP the other day trying to find out differences in front end structure and some guy was hinting at the possibility of putting an aero bumper on his car. You'd have thought he sat down during the pledge of allegiance with how much they were hounding him! Needless to say, this build is not getting posted on that site lol
 
Reactions: hoopty5.0 and Davedacarpainter

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,249
17,934
224
Massachusetts
Sep 3, 2016
#12
  • Sep 3, 2016
  • #12
I think I mentioned putting an 85/86 nose on my 88 one time and I got reamed for "stealing parts from guys who need them" haven't been back since


Sent from my big ass iPhone 6 using Tapatalk
 

hoopty5.0

mechanicus terribilis
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Sep 3, 2016
#13
  • Sep 3, 2016
  • #13
I appreciate that it's a purist's site. That's why I stay here.
 

cenok is family

15 Year Member
Jun 25, 2003
1,409
69
79
Norman, Ok
Sep 3, 2016
#14
  • Sep 3, 2016
  • #14
Mustang5L5 said:
I think I mentioned putting an 85/86 nose on my 88 one time and I got reamed for "stealing parts from guys who need them" haven't been back since
Click to expand...

That's ridiculous! They make aftermarket 85/86 bumpers!! Yeah the guy had an 81 mustang as well and couldn't find a replacement bumper so he was asking about swapping to an 85-90 front end. Some guy said swapping to an 85/86 nose was okay but 87+ was a no no because the site does not condone or allow "how to's" or "show and tells" of aero conversions
 

cenok is family

15 Year Member
Jun 25, 2003
1,409
69
79
Norman, Ok
Sep 3, 2016
#15
  • Sep 3, 2016
  • #15
hoopty5.0 said:
I appreciate that it's a purist's site. That's why I stay here.
Click to expand...

exactly. I understand it, just don't know what they think they are accomplishing by acting that way. Oh well, stangnet has always been home for me anyway!
 
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RangerJoe

I leave the horn on while driving
15 Year Member
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#16
  • Sep 3, 2016
  • #16
Love it man! I also vote for the later 4 eye nose. If starting from scratch, what about a new edge 99-04 interior swap?

Joe
 
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cenok is family

15 Year Member
Jun 25, 2003
1,409
69
79
Norman, Ok
Sep 3, 2016
#17
  • Sep 3, 2016
  • #17
RangerJoe said:
Love it man! I also vote for the later 4 eye nose. If starting from scratch, what about a new edge 99-04 interior swap?

Joe
Click to expand...

That would be a fun swap, but more than likely i'm going to find a fox donor car because I need fuel lines, brake lines, full harness, rearend, etc. and it would be easier/more cost efficient to just use the interior out of the donor car as well. Also, I just noticed the other day that this car has crank windows which I thought was pretty cool! It's going to be fun trying to find those door panels though.

EDIT...well damn, just saw that LMR sells manual door panels. That was easy enough!
 
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Davedacarpainter

Chicks can make things hard if they’re inspired...
SN Certified Technician
Nov 28, 2015
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Sep 3, 2016
#18
  • Sep 3, 2016
  • #18
Just to add my two noncents, get a '79-'82 front end. I really like those. The hood contours on those years are some of the best.

Isn't that right @Noobz347 ?

That guy I was telling you about has the parts.
He has more than this one, that's just to give you an idea.
 
Reactions: A5literMan, cenok is family and Noobz347

cenok is family

15 Year Member
Jun 25, 2003
1,409
69
79
Norman, Ok
Sep 3, 2016
#19
  • Sep 3, 2016
  • #19
Davedacarpainter said:
Just to add my two noncents, get a '79-'82 front end. I really like those. The hood contours on those years are some of the best.

Isn't that right @Noobz347 ?

That guy I was telling you about has the parts.
He has more than this one, that's just to give you an idea.
Click to expand...

I completely forgot to PM you, i've been running around all day! Look for it here in the next few minutes.

At this point, the factory 81 bumpers is still my plan because I already have them. I'm just considering the 85/86 nose if I can't repair the factory ones i have, but i don't think i'll have an issue repairing them. At a glance they seem to be in decent shape aside from one small tear down at the lower opening on the front bumper. You just don't see 79-82 cars ever! I even tried to google image search them and 99% of the pics are factory cars or pace cars/cobras with the GT bumper.
 
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Boosted92LX

It's only an inch or two. What's the big deal?
15 Year Member
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#20
  • Sep 4, 2016
  • #20
Man, if you can save or replace the original bumpers and keep that style grill that would be sweet! It's even got the incredibly hard to find 79 style hood! I'm sorry, but I have to go against the grain on this one and say don't swap styles on the nose. As a guy that had a 79 (and never should have sold it).. I can say they are just too hard to find to turn it into an 85-86. Not that I'm a dumb purist or dislike the 85-86, because I love em.. But you may not fully understand what you have there. Just something to consider. I'd do bad things to have my 79 back.

Edit: Outfreakingstanding car, btw! I love it! Mine was also an lx hatch with no spoiler, and I kept it that way. People scratched their heads all the time looking at it.
 
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