bringing in 73 bumper

[MM71VegaDad]

HI All. Sold my 67 mustang that was my project last couple years and may be picking up a 73 gt tomorrow. I don't really like how the front bumper sticks out on this year. Is it a pretty easy mod to pull it closer to grille like 72? Advice appreciated! Glad to be here again.

[67shovel]

The 73 had to meet stricker impact laws so they moved the bumper out further, used heavier gauge metal on the bumper, and mounted each bumper mount with 3 bolts instead of 2. I just moved mine in on my 73. I took the original mounts and moved them back. One bolt still lined up on the mount but I had to drill another new hole to get the other bolt in. The hole lands on a strengthing rib on the mount so I had to weld a sleeve in the mount for the second bolt. I fabricated new corner mounts from flat bar. One thing you'll find/hate is that the valance and front headlight panel have reliefs in them for the extra height of the 73 bumper mounts. Once you move them back you have these gaping holes looking at you. A 72 valance would be nice to have but they are hard to find in one piece and $$. I welded in little metal patch to fill in the headlight panels gap and bondoed up the lower valance gap. I then fit my bumpers closer to the body ala Chip Foose style and welded caps on the cut ends, welded the bolts in and filled the holes, and had them rechromed.

[MM71VegaDad]

Thank you! A bit more involved than I had hoped, but glad it can be done without TOO much work. I'm not a welder so it may just look like a 73 for a while if I do get It. Thank you again!

[73cos]

Use 71-72 bumper mounting brackets, they are the shorter ones and this will bring in the bumper no welding required....Should be able to find some either here on the site,
ebay, or craigslist....

[67shovel]

do the 71 - 72 bumpers bolt up to the 73's exisiting bolt holes?

[MM71VegaDad]

This is good info. I ended up passing on the Vega. It was an all original 73GT, garaged for like last 20 years. Has 29k miles on it, original 4clylinder and 3 speed auto. Power steering! Would have jumped on it for 7k had it not been for a little rust under the windshield. Was advertised as 'rust free' but the guy hadn't had it for that long and didn't know where to look. Had a quarter size spot on under side of drivers fender, about a 2 inch round spot on passenger fender and then the 'uh oh' under the windshield. Still had original paint that had a good shine though. REAL time capsule.
The quest continues......