[CanAmT/AGTO]

Ok guys looking for a tutorial on 70-73 front bumper interchangeability.
Will a 73 bumper on a 71 bird cause any issues with grille, hood release or lower valance/spoiler install?
Thanks in advance

Larry

[72projectbird]

If the 73 nose still has its steel bracing then the 71 hood release wont work without some modifications. In fact the 73 grills don't have a spot cut out for the 70-72 hood release, so you'll have to modify some things to get it to work.

I had a 73 nose with all its steel on my 71. It bolts up fine. I ended up making a hood release from an old hood pin lanyard I had. You could cut the top out of the driver side 73 grill and run the 71 hood release if you either remove the big steel brace, or bend the 71 release to fit under the brace. You can also put 70-72 grills in the nose, which would let you use the original release. I put 72 grills in mine at one point.

73 used a one year only hood release. The release came out of the lower valance and used a cable to operate the latch. If you plan on keeping the 73 nose on the car permanently I would track down the 73 release.

[CanAmT/AGTO]

72projectbird,

I appreciate the quick response.
I do plan on keeping 71 grilles in the 73 bumper if I decide to go that route
was just concerned they may not fit as I do not have the bumper yet and was trying to decide on a direction.
Visually is there any difference other than the depth/thickness of the grille bucket area?
I was not going to install the upper and lower bracing for the 73 nose either as it would add to more of a visual difference between 71 & 73.

Originally Posted by 72projectbird

If the 73 nose still has its steel bracing then the 71 hood release wont work without some modifications. In fact the 73 grills don't have a spot cut out for the 70-72 hood release, so you'll have to modify some things to get it to work.

I had a 73 nose with all its steel on my 71. It bolts up fine. I ended up making a hood release from an old hood pin lanyard I had. You could cut the top out of the driver side 73 grill and run the 71 hood release if you either remove the big steel brace, or bend the 71 release to fit under the brace. You can also put 70-72 grills in the nose, which would let you use the original release. I put 72 grills in mine at one point.

73 used a one year only hood release. The release came out of the lower valance and used a cable to operate the latch. If you plan on keeping the 73 nose on the car permanently I would track down the 73 release.