77 ranchero Front clip swap

I am contemplating swaping the front clip on my Ranchero.
I have been thinking about:
A 1972 Mercury Montego
A 1977 Mercury Cougar
A 1977 Ford T-bird

I am not sure if a 1970 Mercury Cyclone Front Clip would work, I know where I can get one rust free for cheap, I just don't know if it work

Here's My Ranchero

 

If you are willing to work at it, even a 68 Jag front clip would work.

 

but would it be as much of a bolt on for the cyclone clip as it would the others

 

what about a 71 cougar would that bolt up? I found a shell for cheap. I am contemplating the swap becuase my hood is missaligned and is crinkled bad at the edges

 

I am kinda set on a 73 to 75 cougar front end, a 73 to 75 thunderbird front end, or a 73 to 75 montego. I just don't like the stacked headlights on my ranchero

 

sounds like a plan, I am now collecting parts for my 429 T-jet swap, manual to auto swap, suspension overhaul, new brakes. If I get a whole car I can rob the front end, dash, kick panels off for cheaper than buying the parts individually.
This would look awesome on the front of my ranchero

 

Has anybody on here done a cougar front clip swap?

 

While that Cougar front clip would look interesting, I think you need to do some quick measurments. That year Cougar shares the same basic dimension engine bay and cowl as a 71 thru 73 Mustang. Much narrower than your Ranchero. There's a real good reason why only the mid-size T-Bird, Cougar, & Torino Elite front clips are popular swaps. The body on frame Rancheros all share the same basic design on the mounting points and dimensions for those front clips. Any other clips you consider will test your fabrication skills severely and may still end up looking out of proportion. The 70/71 Rancheros share the same dimensions and mounting points with like year Montego/ Cyclones. The unit body underneath the front clip is the same on them, that's why you see that conversion now and then. Comprende ?

 

Ya'll jumping years too fast for me. Agree that the 77/79 Cougar front looks great on a Ranchero. Mercury should have done those and had an upscale version.

 

Yeah ...... I know. Still, you never know who might pull a rabbit outta' their hat and produce something really unique. Remember, the only dumb question is the one that wasn't asked. There's a good chance he's good with a welder so never say never.

 

these are a couple pics I found online, I would like to do this swap sometime after the '72 is finished, but probably not.


But Dan's Montego swap looks real good too!!!

 

I am a good arc welder, but haven't done much body work. I was wondering how similar the dashes are? Mine on my ranchero is cracked in many places, if I find a parts car how tranferable is it?

 

Th last pic looks amazing!!!