85 Front Clip Interchange!!!

pxcr_600 · 02-24-2002, 09:42 PM

Hey guys quick question for ya. I got a wrecked 85 GT. Im going to try to find a front clip for it to fix it, what years could i use for the replacement? thanks alot!

Unit 5302 · 02-25-2002, 01:42 AM

The 1985-1986 are the same appearancewise. The 1979-1986 should all be fully interchangable I believe. That being said, I'm really not a fan of 1979-1982, and 83-84 aren't as nice as the 85-86. That's all opinion though.

mean81GT · 02-25-2002, 08:38 AM

for an 85, the only direct interchange is 83-86. if you want to use a 79-82, it is a different hood. the 83-84 is a differnt grill, but the same hood. 87-93 is a whole new ball game. hood, bumpercover, grill, headlights, all different. the fenders were the same for all of the 79-93 years, with the exception of 91-newer. they have bigger inner fenderwells, but the exterior is identical and everything will bolt up.

pxcr_600 · 02-25-2002, 08:52 PM

hey i know the bumper covers are different but, does this go for the 85 LX too?

84LX89GT · 02-26-2002, 08:13 PM

The '85 to '86 front noses have fender extensions that bolt onto the front of the fenders (which have holes drilled in them) that bolt onto the front clip. The GT front clip has holes for fog lights, whereas the LX does not, that is the only difference.
The '83 to '84 front nose is narrower and doesn't use fender extensions on the front (last years to not use them) and as such, if you got one of those you'd have exposed fender holes if you matched up the nose to the fender.
The '79 to '82 front clip have different hoods that don't come down in the front and i believe the '82 GT's have special fender extensions for their one of a kind front clip, but i'm not exactly sure.
The '87 to '93 front LX noses have fender extensions but i believe they may be shaped differently than previous years and the GT's of course have the large fender extensions as part of the whole ground effects thing that matches the nose.
The thing they all have in common is the mounting holes are the same to attach it to the vehicle, but the trim/hood doesn't match up on alot of them depending on which years you swap.
I hope this helps.....by the way, my '84 got converted over to an '86 front clip that's why i know all about the fender extensions

02-24-2002, 09:42 PM	#1
pxcr_600 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Elk River, MN Posts: 44	85 Front Clip Interchange!!! Hey guys quick question for ya. I got a wrecked 85 GT. Im going to try to find a front clip for it to fix it, what years could i use for the replacement? thanks alot! __________________ Balls to the Walls

02-25-2002, 08:38 AM	#3
mean81GT Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NY Posts: 299	for an 85, the only direct interchange is 83-86. if you want to use a 79-82, it is a different hood. the 83-84 is a differnt grill, but the same hood. 87-93 is a whole new ball game. hood, bumpercover, grill, headlights, all different. the fenders were the same for all of the 79-93 years, with the exception of 91-newer. they have bigger inner fenderwells, but the exterior is identical and everything will bolt up. __________________ I'm a glutton for punishment.

02-25-2002, 08:52 PM	#4
pxcr_600 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Elk River, MN Posts: 44	lx too? hey i know the bumper covers are different but, does this go for the 85 LX too? __________________ Balls to the Walls

02-26-2002, 08:13 PM	#5
84LX89GT Mustangs Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 1,938	The '85 to '86 front noses have fender extensions that bolt onto the front of the fenders (which have holes drilled in them) that bolt onto the front clip. The GT front clip has holes for fog lights, whereas the LX does not, that is the only difference. The '83 to '84 front nose is narrower and doesn't use fender extensions on the front (last years to not use them) and as such, if you got one of those you'd have exposed fender holes if you matched up the nose to the fender. The '79 to '82 front clip have different hoods that don't come down in the front and i believe the '82 GT's have special fender extensions for their one of a kind front clip, but i'm not exactly sure. The '87 to '93 front LX noses have fender extensions but i believe they may be shaped differently than previous years and the GT's of course have the large fender extensions as part of the whole ground effects thing that matches the nose. The thing they all have in common is the mounting holes are the same to attach it to the vehicle, but the trim/hood doesn't match up on alot of them depending on which years you swap. I hope this helps.....by the way, my '84 got converted over to an '86 front clip that's why i know all about the fender extensions __________________ 2005 Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300-R 1980 Ford Thunderbird - 255 V8 ported heads, 5.0L ported stock headers, O.R. H-pipe and Flowmaster 2-chambers, dual roller timing chain hi-po Mack Truck hood emblem 1985 Mustang GT 5.0L T5, F-303, GT40p, headers, off-road h, flowmasters, MSD stuff, etc. Sold 02/06/04 1989 Mustang GT ET: 13.304@102.29 mph (5-24-03) Sold - 1998 Mustang Cobra coupe, 1/4 mile - street tires: 13.843@103.41 (bone stock)

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02-25-2002, 01:42 AM	#2
Unit 5302 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 5,246	The 1985-1986 are the same appearancewise. The 1979-1986 should all be fully interchangable I believe. That being said, I'm really not a fan of 1979-1982, and 83-84 aren't as nice as the 85-86. That's all opinion though.