North American Turbocoupe Organization



87-88 front bumper cover on an 83-86?
Highwayhoosier Offline
Junior Member
#1
I just acquired an 86 TC (see my post in the Off Topic forum) and one of my major goals with car is swap on the front bumper, doors, and quarter windows from an 87-88 TC. I have searched multiple website forums (here, turboford, and foureyedpride) but can't find a straight answer. Will the bumpers trim match my 86 fenders?

Also, one of my favorite features of my previous 88 TC was the corner illumination lamps. Are those part of the bumper cover or the fender?

Thanks, Tom
86 TC 5 Speed
Black w/ blue interior
Cone filter and a glass pack
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Pete D Offline
Administrator
#2
Tom
I don't know about the front cover but the crease lines on the 86 fenders won't match with the 87-88 doors.

Welcome to the board. Someone here can answer your question.
Pete Dunham


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Jeff K Offline
Administrator
#3
As Pete said, the horizontal "U" accent on the doors and front fenders of the 83-86 will not match up with the "no U channel" on the 87-88, but the parts will physically bolt up.

The cornering lamps were an option, and many 87-88 dont have them. I am pretty sure they are part of the fender. If you cant get a hold of the lights themselves, you could cut holes for them and install them. Wiring wouldnt be that hard. You would need either the original thermal timing relays or a modern solid state equivalent to get them to work correctly.
Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 24 psi, forced air IC, water injection, BPV, Ranger cam, subframes, etc., etc.
86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP N2O, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.
11 Crown Vic Interceptor
14 Toyota Camry (wifes car)
95 Taurus GL Vulcan winter beater
67 Honda 450 Super Sport - completely customized
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Highwayhoosier Offline
Junior Member
#4
Pete and Jeff, thanks for the replies. On the doors and fenders, does the difference in the body lines continue rearward onto the quarters? I.e. If you got the 87/88 doors and fenders would they match the rest of the 86?

Still, my biggest concern is the actual front bumper. Will a late model bumper match the 86 fenders? I'm not sure I can come around to like the four eye front end.


Tom
86 TC 5 Speed
Black w/ blue interior
Cone filter and a glass pack
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Puchrider Offline
Member
#5
Try to grow to like the four-eyed front :-) I chose it because of the readily available glass headlights and overall simplicity (but that's just my preference). I'm not sure about fitment, but can recall someone doing something like that
~Puchrider~

1985 BMW 325e
1986 Turbo-Coupe- 3rd Owner
1995 BMW 325is- Daily
1998 "Banana-Yellow" Mark VIII LSC-CE- TR3650 Swap Pending..
2007 "Banana-Yellow" Peterbilt 386- Converting into an RV



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Jeff K Offline
Administrator
#6
Yes, the "U" channel character line just above the bump strip continues into the rear quarter on the 83-86.
Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 24 psi, forced air IC, water injection, BPV, Ranger cam, subframes, etc., etc.
86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP N2O, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.
11 Crown Vic Interceptor
14 Toyota Camry (wifes car)
95 Taurus GL Vulcan winter beater
67 Honda 450 Super Sport - completely customized
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Not B Anymore Offline
Administrator
#7
I don't understand what people have against the 4-eyes. I know it's all subjective, but I've always preferred the 4-eyes. Took me a long time to accept the "aero" nose. I like them now, but I still prefer the 4-eye.

The bumper will not "match" the fenders. The front fascia has that same "U channel" that the fenders have on the '86, which is not on the '87>. that accent goes all around the car.

And yes - the corner lamps are in the fender. See Below (not my car):


Attached Files Image(s)
   
Brian Leavitt
'86 TC 5-Speed -- MS2x w/COP | 83 lb. injectors | T3/T4 50 Trim Stage 3 .63AR | Full 3" Exhaust - No Cat | Motorsport FMIC | Ranger Roller | Ported E6 | Walbro 255HP | Kirban | 20psi | 120-amp 3G | 8.8" 3.55 rear | '03 Cobra Wheels
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turbo80sdriver Offline
Administrator
#8
The cornering lamps are both part of the fender and the matching specific moulding. I retrofitted a car by adding these (just my preference, but I really like them!). Requires the addition of a relay (I'm thinking it's a RY-70?? number on the relay - have to dig deep into researching to confirm... That number relay is also for the other lighting group features, like delayed headlamps, and auto headlight dim circuits). Easy to cut the holes, and there a few NOS curb lights still available. As you probably know, these curb lights are on steady when turn signal is activated, until the signal lever is released (manually, or by auto cancel).
'88 TC-Black T-5 with 79K stock 98.5% original, just w-i-d-e rims and tires, and some under hood powder-coating
'88 TC-Blue w/98K. Stocker w/t-5 ( the resurrection car) top gas mileage =31 mpg!
'88 TC-Grey w/99k. Auto, well optioned, 2nd owner car - getting more options
'87 TC-Blue w/123k t-5 parts car - less of a car now
'88 TC gray- body only so far- very very late factory build dated car, awaiting resurrection
'87 GN w/16.8K
"96 Bronco XLT w/351 (5.8l)
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turbo80sdriver Offline
Administrator
#9
The quarter windows will not fit, Not without major opening modifications... Anyone confirm?
At Carlisle next week, I will take detailed pictures of both years of cars in the areas of interest and post then here (in about 2 weeks).
'88 TC-Black T-5 with 79K stock 98.5% original, just w-i-d-e rims and tires, and some under hood powder-coating
'88 TC-Blue w/98K. Stocker w/t-5 ( the resurrection car) top gas mileage =31 mpg!
'88 TC-Grey w/99k. Auto, well optioned, 2nd owner car - getting more options
'87 TC-Blue w/123k t-5 parts car - less of a car now
'88 TC gray- body only so far- very very late factory build dated car, awaiting resurrection
'87 GN w/16.8K
"96 Bronco XLT w/351 (5.8l)
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jmthunderbirdturbo Offline
Posting Freak
#10
you can switch the bumper cover, grille and lights. i did that to mine:

[Image: 34gw9c1.jpg]

however, the trim pieces don't line up, and the body shape where they go doesn't either (the u channel is gone on the 87-88 cars from what i can tell). im going forward with my swap, and changing fenders, as mine are damaged and rusted.

its easiest to just change the nose, though.

-J0N
APRIL 2018 - LOOKING FOR A NEW CAR. PM me if you have an 87-88 roller or cheap TF for sale.
1988 TC 5MT-Blue/Blue check-off car. resto-project.
2006 Honda Odyssey 5AT, baby-mobile.
2013 F-150, 5.0, 6AT, 4x4, snow white paint.
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