[concept 81]

I just got a 1981 coupe that I want to put a concept X body kit on, but I need to convert the front clip to the '87 to '93 style front clip. I need some tech. advice on what all I need to change?
The body kit will include the front nose, and I was going to use a cowl induction hood to cover the 5.0 highrise I just built. Any help would be great!

Thanks

[Twister]

sell the car and buy an 87-93, there is no easy way to do it. You will need a bumper cover, a hood, cowl cover, new windshield moldings, all new body moldings new tail lamps, new rear bumper cover, new tail lamp panel...If you want a full list of needed parts, I will tell you, but that converision will look like crap unlless you go all the way. The front end is just the tip of the iceberg. Besides, a nice 4 eye will get attention. Check out Four Eyed Pride - The Site for 79-86 Mustangs and Capris

[carb_mustang]

im sorry twister but ive done it on my old 84 all you really need to change is the the old metal bumper (under the skin) tail lights the moldings on the side of the car like the ones on the doors and stuff the flairs behind your front bumper (on the fenders) the back bumper and hood the cowel cover is identical and the windsheild moldings are the same diffrent color yes but the same after that it looks good

[carb_mustang]

oh yes on the bumper shocks the mounts need to be modified by just a die grinder for the new fiberglass bumper then your done

[5SpeedGT]

Rear bumper cover does need to be changed... The molding is integral and won't match up.

I have to agree with twister. 4-eye's are getting harder to find and going up in value. If a Tempo-Stang is what you really want, sell the '81 to someone who appreciates it and won't butcher it, and buy one.

[carb_mustang]

sorry i typed it wrong i ment and a rear bumper but the cowel is the same and yes ill agree that if its what he wants to do he can sell it for a 87-93 but meh whatever lol

[countymounty]

I would also sell, the amount of labor involved to switch is a lot and they are right the 4 eye cars are starting to make it in the collector status, might be awhile before our cars are considered “classics” but they are getting up their in years……

[JP955.0]

I don't know about selling it and all that but if it were me. I would build it for me and most of the time my buget would'nt allow for the purchase of another car. The swap is pretty much straight forward. The only thing with the cowl is the 79-82 cowl is shorter and if your not picky it should'nt matter. As far as the taillight panel I'm running LX lights in my 79 Pace car. I used a hole-saw and cut-out the circles. Just remeber in the end the only person your car has to make happy is yourself. Not to disagree with everyone but its a 81 coupe! You find'em all day.

[Twister]

Originally Posted by JP955.0

Not to disagree with everyone but its a 81 coupe! You find'em all day.

no offence, but I can drive arround town and see a half dozen 87-93 coupes in one day, and only one or two four eyes. To get all of the correct exterrior trim for a 87-93 on to a 79-86, you will need to swap out the interrior trim to get it right. I have seen too many aerobortions.

[JP955.0]

You know that's funny I can drive around and see 79-82 coupes allday. If I had a 81 and wanted a 87-93 I would change it over. How do you know concept 81 won't do it right? Mustangs are really easy to work on so it can be done right by anyone.

[countymounty]

I think the point is anything can be done with time or money or both., but is it worth doing. I think labor wise it might be easier to get what you want and polish it.

I got my vert as a cruiser then wanted it customized and cleaned up to maybe go to shows, I should of got a very clean vert and I would of saved myself so much headache………

In the end your car is your car and if you are happy with it then that is all that matters.

[Twister]

Originally Posted by JP955.0

You know that's funny I can drive around and see 79-82 coupes allday. If I had a 81 and wanted a 87-93 I would change it over. How do you know concept 81 won't do it right? Mustangs are really easy to work on so it can be done right by anyone.

going by percentages...considering that 2 out of 100 look good and are done right...

[JP955.0]

I see your point!

[concept 81]

here's the problem
i gotta get half the front clip anyway
the body kit gives me the front and rear body skins
and i am replacing the hood with a cowl induction hood

so aside from the trim and theminute details that will be seen to, the major question is, all i really need to modify is the wiring harness for the lights, the cowl and windshield area, and swap out the front bumper and fenders?

This will be my third resto project so I know what I am getting into, the car is really solid and it is free.

[carb_mustang]

ha ha when i did my car i just cut and spliced the wiring harness it worked fine, and yes other then the fine details that about sums it up however the inside bumper does need to be changed because the new skin wont fit over the old one just find on at a wreckers.