Right now it's just zip tied together but I've got time to figure out something permanent. Open to ideas if you have any.

 

Right now it's just zip tied together but I've got time to figure out something permanent. Open to ideas if you have any.

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Just a thought here....what about epoxy-ing a couple of short bolts/screws (where I drew sloppy arrows) and using some flat stock and a couple of nuts on the back side to attach it? It looks like you could do that on both sides of each light housing and they'd be hidden?...

 

I would use JB Weld strategically applied at all contact points that won't show from the front view. I would also lose that cross hatching around the pony, and consider a different pony altogether. That cross hatching just screams it wasn't designed for your car.

I'm all for mods of this type, but only if they can somehow pull-off looking somewhat period correct.
I cut holes through a '67 grille too:

 

Out of curiosity....how did you attach your lights?

 

My guy just won't run.

 

I don't think it'd be too hard to come up with a bracket for that. You'll just have to make sure you get it printed in a plastic that can handle the heat of being in the sun right in front of the radiator.

You could do the same thing out of metal too if you wanted.

First though make sure how the lights mount to the back of the lenses. You don't want to design and print something just to find out that it interferes with actually mounting the light bulbs in your fog lights.

 

To me this looks like an original GT grille with extra steps. I would put glue over top of the mesh so it's locked between the plastic and the adhesive. That's how gm attached the mesh grilles in the trans am fenders

 

As mentioned, glue or if you also want to bolt them on for more solid weight support (lenses/ bulbs) you could just bend some small brackets from thin metal in a flat Z shape, drill a hole in the top piece to put a screw in those post holes (4) you already have in the light bezel backside and bend the tab on the other end to push against the metal grill without being seen from the front.

If you would have only cut out the grille where the round holes for the lens and mounting studs sit through, you'd have a lot more metal left to brace against. I bought a repop grille to play with for driving lights to save my factory grille just in case. I think the repop grille was like $40 when I bought it 12+ yrs ago, now they're $120 😲

I agree with @4ocious, if you can also get rid of the plastic honeycomb in the horse corral it would look better (too busy with honeycomb egg crate lines and metal rectangles of original grill) and look more original/ take a 2nd glance like the example you posted.

I'm going with just the corral and horse on my '67 and removed the bars. The one thing I don't like about the newer Mustangs is the horse, corral, etc. is all plastic, ours are metal, even in repop.

 

Some good trimming work there. You could print '67 mesh to go behind the pony. I like the idea of using bonding adhesive to set studs at intervals in the channel, with narrow strips (metal or 3D) behind it. I'd think it would minimize flexing.

Unfortunately, unless you were a machinist/engineer type with good tools, making good dimensional drawings to create 3D parts remotely would be tough. Perhaps check listings for a 3D print shop near you, or at the local community college (even high schools these days) that may have a 3D scanner to shortcut the hard part. Students might be eager to render the parts as well. 🤷‍♂️

 

Thank you all for the input. I too thought I should clear the honeycomb from the corral. I may still but I'd like to see just how it looks in place. Without the car it's completely obvious and irritating.

Interesting that my sample is exactly like mine but unless you get really close you didn't see it. It's pretty deeply set and with the edge of the hood always casting shadow it may not be all that noticable. (Below)

Thanks for all of the ideas! The rear of the '09 unit is completely channeled end to end. I'd thought of setting some resin and inserting ezlocks in it and securing from behind.

I'll post back when I make progress.

Article if you're interested:

1967 Mustang Coupe Exemplifies The Do It Yourself Attitude

Taylor Sekula had a vision to build his car the way he wanted. HIs 1967 Mustang now embodies the do it yourself attitude.

www.fordmuscle.com

 

For me I'd design a bracket that sandwiches the grill and uses the existing mounting holes. This is a very, very crude representation.

But it would be nearly impossible to model and prototype without the parts.

 

This is very much what I'd envisioned. Really wishing I knew more about printing. Thanks!

 

You don't have to know about printing, or CAD, only measuring parts. With drawings or multiple careful photos with dimension notations , CAD can be used to create a part file, and any 3D print shop (local or online) can print it for you. Of course, it's nice to have your own or have a local buddy to do a quick print for fit, and adjust if required or desired.

Only a few minutes to wing this in a free program, but useless without dimensions:

 

Stuff like this is what has kept me around here for almost 25 years!

You guys are really something.

I'll see what I can do to get measurements. The angles are really weird due to the forward rake. As you can probably see, it's quite complex.

Either way, much appreciate the offers to assist.

 

Not a problem if accurate angles are included. I would use the ring/grille as 0°.

An example angled top ring, only needing legs and gussets, then remove the round stands (representing angled lamp housing screw locations). Again, just playing with concepts:

 

If it were me I think I'd try using some speednuts on the round standoffs to simply secure them to the grill. They just push on, if/when you find the right size. The same darn things they use to secure wheels on kid riding toys and such. I've seen some in the hardware section of Home Depot or Lowe's. These things: https://www.huyett.com/efsn-c13777-...-607b?srsltid=AfmBOooPuH1qt_HTgiwQ7pSPlp1IDEPO5xrzjHz93tLYCNPlHRVOOng6Ys8&gQT=3

 

Geez! Ya that would be super simple. This I'm combination with a few other things might just do the trick.

 

Perhaps use plastic spacers cut to length, or drill the push-nuts to slide down the bosses? Either way, a plate to press against (rather than thin clipped grill mesh) might be prudent. 🤷‍♂️