Topic: 71 to 73 same body style?

[greenketch]

ok guys I am trying to find a replacement front end for my 71 mach 1. I have a guy that has a 73 that is a complete front end but I am confused all the parts I have seen so far go from 71 to 72 then jump to 73 and by front end I mean frame rails, crossmember,radiator support, inner and outer fenders, shock towers, EVERYTHING 8( will the 73 front end fit? your knowledge will be very helpful

thnx Tim

[Thierry]

There is no reason why a 73 front end clip won't fit your 71 if you get everything but most people would do the opposite. The look of the 71/72 Mustang is more desirable than the one of the 73.
1973 Mustangs had a new grille, headlight trim and urethane bumper in place of the metal one. Other than that, they used the same parts.

1972 Mustang:


1973 Mustang:

[greenketch]

that's what I was hoping to hear. It would be mostly the frame  and stuff I will keep the 71 grill and lights  etc...   hopefully it will be road worthy by the end of the summer

thanks Tim

[Thierry]

I am not sure what all the different parts are but you may have some problems fitting a 1971 grill and headlights if all the other parts are from a 73.
If there is any difference it shouldn't be impossible to adapt them but it might need some modifications.

[mustanger]

He is right the 71 to 73 will work just different grill on the 73 and the lights on grill set different as i have a 72 mach 1

Thierry wrote:
I am not sure what all the different parts are but you may have some problems fitting a 1971 grill and headlights if all the other parts are from a 73.
If there is any difference it shouldn't be impossible to adapt them but it might need some modifications.

[Russ]

The biggest difference is the turn signals and I think it might be like 2 inches or so wider on the 71 but not a big change.

[rmodel65]

There will need to be some tweaking the gap near the bumper will be wrong since the 71-72 fenders are set at different angles. The 73 is the 1st year of the federally required crash safety bumpers etc

[Russ]

      1973 would mark the end of the first generation of the ponycar. The Mustang had gained 575 pounds and was over a foot longer. Mustang was destined to undergo an extensive change in design for the 1974 model year.
             The 1973s were unchanged from their 1972 counterparts, but there were some differences to distinguish them. The front grille size and shape remained the same but the plastic egg-crate mesh was larger and mounted further forward. The pony and corral lost the horizontal bars but the shorter vertical ones returned. A new vertical parking/turn signal lights were mounted at each end of the grille and the entire area was surrounded by bright trim. Headlights fit into fender extensions and were housed within a chrome, rectangular bezel. The taillight bezels were bright metal. To meet government five-mph impact standards, the front bumper was fitted with a color-keyed, urethane impact-absorbing system and the rear bumper was mounted further away to comply with  impact regulations.
 

[66GTKFB]

There are some major changes between the 71-72 Mustang and the 73. The biggest change is the bumpers due the (insert your own adjective here) federal government's mandate to adopt new safety standards for collisions. As a result, the front end uses a lot of different parts.
Jim

[rmodel65]

There are some major changes between the 71-72 Mustang and the 73. The biggest change is the bumpers due the (pile of crap) federal government's mandate to adopt new safety standards for collisions. As a result, the front end uses a lot of different parts.
Jim

   

[4thofdmont]

bump, i have read that this two car model are different. 73-up B-body is totally different from '72 back. the same with 71/72 B than all E bodies, not 73s and in fact 73 and laters doesn't have the tower. even the headlight or headlight covers don't fit.

[rmodel65]

bump, i have read that this two car model are different. 73-up B-body is totally different from '72 back. the same with 71/72 B than all E bodies, not 73s and in fact 73 and laters doesn't have the tower. even the headlight or headlight covers don't fit.

the grilles are different as well as slight difference with the fenders in the front because 1973 ford had to comply with federal crash safety standards and move to a 5mph impact front urethane bumper and the rear bumper got a spacer...but for the most part a 1971,72 or 73 is nearly identical heres some pics

1971:

1972:

1973:
 


1974-1978 mustangs are mustang II's and are way smaller and do not have much in common other than the nameplate...


heres a 1974

 

[thundertc64]

Hood latch was relocated as well on the 73's not much but enough to mess it up, as stated the front bumpers are different ( and so are the brackets to mount it )  as well as the angle on the front fenders will have to be ground down and weld in some patches from donor car to get the fit right. frame rails, crossmember,radiator support, inner  fenders, shock towers are the same and can be swapped out between the two. The main issues you will have are the fenders,bumper,grill and lights. I was going to swap a 71-72 front grill on my 73 then decided against it.  ( Hood latch design changed  )