converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger
#2623753
02/20/19 04:00 PM
02/20/19 04:00 PM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 604 TN
1DGEMAN
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mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 604
TN
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I have always thought the 72 and later challengers were butt ugly, but now NHRA has reduced the HP rating on 72,73 340's in Super Stock making it a very attractive package. So my question is what parts do I need to convert the front grille? Will the 70 fenders fit? I know the markers are wrong. How many pieces in the front grille? If I had a 72 service manual I could probably figure it out but I don't, so I am hoping some one here knows. Thanks, Rod
I already have the back end covered.
Real Men shift for themselves
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Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger
[Re: 1DGEMAN]
#2623765
02/20/19 04:11 PM
02/20/19 04:11 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,540 Motor City
6PKRTSE
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master
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Motor City
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Sounds easier to just buy another 72', no reason to ruin a perfectly good 70'.
1963 Belvedere 440 Max Wedge Tribute 1970 Charger R/T S.E. 440 Six Pack 1970 Challenger R/T, 528 Hemi 1970 Charger 500 S.E. 440 4 BBL 1970 Plymouth Road Runner 383 1974 Chrysler New Yorker 440 1996 2500 RAM 488 V-10 4X4 2004 3500 Dually Cummins 4x4 2012 Challenger R/T Classic.
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Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger
[Re: 1DGEMAN]
#2623775
02/20/19 04:34 PM
02/20/19 04:34 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,137 East Aurora (Buffalo) NY
RoadRunner
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master
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East Aurora (Buffalo) NY
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I would think you could trade, and receive cash if offering your 70 for a 72.
68 Road Runner (383/4speed, post car w/decor pkg) - Major Project 69 Road Runner w/472 Hemi & 4 speed. 70 Challenger R/T SE EF8 w/ V9J, U - A32 - Major Project 2023 Ford Mach 1
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Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger
[Re: 1DGEMAN]
#2623803
02/20/19 05:47 PM
02/20/19 05:47 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,979 Scranton, PA
Montclaire
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Scranton, PA
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The grille is two pieces - the fiberglass surround and the actual grille. The surround is thicker where it meets the fenders and replaces the 70-71 bezels which include the fender lip. This requires a thicker molding for the leading edge of the hood, but you can reuse your hood and just swap the molding, or leave it as-is and deal with the small difference in thickness.
The fenders are different because of the markers but I do not know if they are physically different where the grill surround meets up. I can't remember if there are different mounting brackets. The tail panel should be easy enough to drill free and replace with the 72-74 unit. Quarters are slightly different (besides the markers) but I do not know if it matters at this point. The 70-71 quarters pinch in on the body line before the tail panel and the 72-74 quarters have a more continuous curve.
The fiberglass grill surrounds must have been well designed because they are almost always in good shape when you find them. Might be worth picking one up and test fitting it to see if it will work with the 70-71 fenders. Worst case you might need to weld on a mounting tab or something like that.
Last edited by Montclaire; 02/20/19 05:50 PM.
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Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger
[Re: 1DGEMAN]
#2623808
02/20/19 05:50 PM
02/20/19 05:50 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,149 Park Forest, IL
slantzilla
Too Many Posts
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Posts: 20,149
Park Forest, IL
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Contact member 727specialists. He converted a '73 to a '70 and could have everything you need.
"Everybody funny, now you funny too."
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Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger
[Re: 6PKRTSE]
#2623864
02/20/19 07:04 PM
02/20/19 07:04 PM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,089 Valencia, España
NachoRT74
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,089
Valencia, España
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Sounds easier to just buy another 72', no reason to ruin a perfectly good 70'. Agreed. Get the real deal. As mentioned, selling the 70 will give you the chance to get a cheaper 72, instead ruin a 70'somebody could be searching I really can't get the deal, but whatever
Last edited by NachoRT74; 02/20/19 07:09 PM.
With a Charger born in Chrysler assembly plant in Valencia, Venezuela
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Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger
[Re: dvw]
#2624044
02/21/19 01:24 AM
02/21/19 01:24 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,149 Park Forest, IL
slantzilla
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
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Park Forest, IL
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Buddy of mine got popped at Indy a couple years ago for rear bumper brackets. I don't know if someone dropped a dime on him or what, but he was told to fix them or go home. He had A body brackets that weighed 50 pounds.
"Everybody funny, now you funny too."
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Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger
[Re: 1DGEMAN]
#2624125
02/21/19 11:32 AM
02/21/19 11:32 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,137 East Aurora (Buffalo) NY
RoadRunner
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East Aurora (Buffalo) NY
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Front fenders are different. The 70 & 71 fenders have a a "stand" or stamped metal bracket that the headlight buckets attach to. That will need to be removed. A spot weld cutter can take care of that. There is also a tab at the top of the headlight opening that will need to be ground down so the fiber glass 72 front facia can be inserted. And, as mentioned, the marker lights are different.
68 Road Runner (383/4speed, post car w/decor pkg) - Major Project 69 Road Runner w/472 Hemi & 4 speed. 70 Challenger R/T SE EF8 w/ V9J, U - A32 - Major Project 2023 Ford Mach 1
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Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger
[Re: 1DGEMAN]
#2624244
02/21/19 03:33 PM
02/21/19 03:33 PM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 604 TN
1DGEMAN
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 604
TN
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Thanks for all the info. I have several pm's offering parts. NHRA tech has become extremely lax. I was helping some friends with their multi car Stock/ Super Stock team and Tech never looked at anything. Just weight and fuel check. I have seen Stockers with moved springs and mini tubs. Marker lights and trim pieces don't mean a thing.
Real Men shift for themselves
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Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger
[Re: 1DGEMAN]
#2624830
02/22/19 06:34 PM
02/22/19 06:34 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,440 NW Chicago suburban area
Mopar Mitch
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,440
NW Chicago suburban area
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A lonnng time ago (~1977-8), I converted my 72 Rally into a 70 T/A... all for SCCA Solo class racing rules, at that time. I did everything... grille, tail light panel... re-did the fender side lights by cutting sections out from junk yard fenders... then cutting/welding the 70 sections. It was easier than originally thought to be... had my best friend who owns a body shop do the work... still all A-OK today!
FYI... the 72-3-4 grille is considerably heavier than the 70 grille.
Good luck with the project... really not that difficult to do. Headlights should bolt in w/o any problems. you can cut out and weld in a new rear tail light panel (AMD or other source), then get the lenses etc rather cheap on-line (swap meets, etc.).
Last edited by Mopar Mitch; 02/22/19 06:35 PM.
Mopar Mitch
"Road racers and autocrossers go in deeper and come out harder!"... and rain never stops us from having fun with our cars... in fact, it makes us better drivers!
Check out MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, August 2006 issue for feature article and specs on my autocross T/A!
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Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger
[Re: 1DGEMAN]
#2624834
02/22/19 06:47 PM
02/22/19 06:47 PM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,089 Valencia, España
NachoRT74
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,089
Valencia, España
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oh, well if car is already heavily modified, that's a diff deal
With a Charger born in Chrysler assembly plant in Valencia, Venezuela
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