77 ranchero Front clip swap

Thanks for the info Dan, I thought they looked the same and was going to use my stock bumper.

 

That brown 'chero has the same exact trim on it as mine, only difference is that the colors on the one I have are inverted :-/. I can also see the differences in the two bumpers, the middle between the bump guards is contoured to match the grill contours so while you "could" just slap an elite header pannel on it would look weird because of the bumper

 

Personally looking at the elite and Ranchero.... I think you could get away with JUST the header panel swap! That way everything else would still be in place, no muss, no fuss! (But... I could be wrong!)
Lance

 

Ya, I know it is a '72-'76

 

does it show how much a difference color makes?? i really dont like it (the elite nose) in the blue pic above..but the brown chero with the elite nose looks spiffy... i think i need therapy.

 

and we've all seen the Tbird conversion done...

 

What work would be involved in putting the tbird front end on my 79?

 

Wow, I never saw this thread; I think it was buried before I joined. Anyway, the OP reminded me of a guy who had been on FSB who had done the Cougar swap on his, and it looked like the one the OP posted at the beginning of this thread.

And for the record, I'm not a fan of the T-bird front on the Ranchero. But, it's just a matter of, in addition to swapping the front end and wiring, you have to change out the headlight switch, as it has the vacuum valve that actuates the doors, and all the associated vacuum lines and components.

 

Thank you. Noted. Is it possible to put a 73 front on it? Or is that just as much work

 

That's a good question. That or the '73 Cougar front would have to be compared to the '77-'79.

 

Yes. I'm trying to read the thread with the elite swap. Any thoughts?

 

A 73 Ranchero or Torino front on it? 72-76 Ranchero/Torino's have quite a defined waistline crease that the 77-79 do not have. Could be done, but would take some bodywork to blend in.

 

Actually, i take back what i said about the Tbird front clip in the other thread....i officially dig that green one up on this thread...

 

Hmm. I read something about swap g the header panel and bumper from an elite? Easy or no? Lol

 

I have a complete front clip from a Torino Elite. Both fenders, hood, and grille assy in good condition. It's the one pictured on the 74 Ranchero in the older posts. If anyone is interested let me know

 

I absolutely love the look of this car...This is exactly what I want to do with my 79. What I need to know though is are the fenders and header panel all that is required or do I need some more parts to assemble it...I found a grille and bumper and a lower valance panel.