[flyfisher]

I'm wondering what that little space is between my front bumper and front fenders. I've seen other 73's with it and some without. The ones I've seen without have the bumper cut just under the grille. I'm hoping someone knows how to adjust the bumper so the edges are close to the fender notches without cutting or if it's at all possible.

I've tried adjusting the bumper mounts, and there just isn't enough room unless I cut the bumper, but then it would look wrong under the grille. I've attached a pic to help describe what I mean.

While I'm at it, the rear plastic is also interfering with the rear bumper. Any help about the exterior plastic parts on this car would be helpful.

 

[bracketeer]

bumper

Myself and a friend each had a 74 mustang. His had a 302 and mine had the 2300 4 banger. His nose assembly was different than mine. From his hood to the top of the grill was an inch or two longer than mine. Maybe someone replaced your grill assembly from a 4 banger car.

 

[MARTINSR]

Bracketeer, he is talking about a 73 there was no such thing as four banger in 73. The 74 was a "Mustang II" not a "Mustang". Though I love the little cars, they are not the full size V8 Mustang of the years before.

 

[bracketeer]

sorry about that

I guess my suggestion don't help then.

 

[MARTINSR]

I was no better, I didn't offer anything. Fly, the bumper is bent, it is that simple. I don't remember but I think all 73's had that "rubber" bumper didn't they? I know the years just previous to it it was an option, but in 73 the first year of the government bumper 2.5 MPH reqirement they all had it.

We just did a 69 at work with one of those bumpers. From the look of yours the bumper "bracket" is bent. It has a reinforcement bracket that runs from one side to the other and the rubber is "volcanized" to it. A hit to the bumper can bend that reinforcement without showing much damage or any at all to the outside rubber part.

But that is what is wrong, we did find a used one that was in pretty good shape.

 

[flyfisher]

Martinsr you're correct about the plastic bumper and the gov't crash rating in 73. You're probably right about the bumper. The attachment point to the sub frame is slightly out of alignment which would suggest that the bumper was hit at some point. It just seems strange to me that the bumper would be so equally and evenly out of alignment.

 

[MARTINSR]

Looking at it again, it does look like it is almost even under the grille. The reinforcement doesn't go all the way to the end and it appears the rubber that it hanging off the ends is drooping a little more. Do you see how the right headlamp has a gap under the outside of the bumper but not on the inside closer to the grille?

 

[flyfisher]

The grille is just hanging there I think there's just two screws holding it in that picture. The equallity I was talking about is the distance between the fender and the top of the plastic bumper. It's right on the sixteenth of an inch. I can close that gap about 1/2" without too much of a problem, but then things get tight.

I have a lot of aligning to do to that car and this is the area that scares me the most. No matter how much I monkey with it, it never seems to fit nicely. I've attached another pic with another mustang with the same problem.

 

[flyfisher]

here's another pic of that other mustang

 

[nosaj122081]

Whats the date code on your fender extensions? The front end of the 71-72 Mustangs used the smaller bumper (in both its urethane and chrome versions), different grille, and different fenders. I'm wondering if you don't have the earlier model fender extensions, because IIRC from my front bumper off my 72, it comes up more on the sides. If I were betting I'd bet they changed the fender extensions along with the other front end parts, and that maybe you have the wrong ones.

 

[onebadmerc]

I agree with nosaj122081, the front fender extensions are from a 71 or 72 Mustang. The 73 had different fenders, bumpers, grills, valances and fender extensions than the 71-72 Mustangs. Look in my gallery, I am currently working on a 73 Mustang. The fender extensions are off but the fender goes all the way to the front bumper no gap. The picture of my 73 Mustang in pasture has the extensions on, the picture is kind of dark and not too visable, but they go right to the bumper.

I just looked at your photo again, it looks like you also have 71 or 72 fenders on your car. Your Bumper is fine it is the fenders and extensions.

 

[flyfisher]

You guys are absolutely right. I wouldn't have noticed it because I wasn't pricing front fenders and wouldn't have known there was a difference. The front fenders from a 73 come down to the bottom of the headlight. I guess I'll be looking for some new fender extensions and fabbing up a small extension for the fender too.

Thank you so much.