Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger #2623753
02/20/19 04:00 PM
02/20/19 04:00 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 604
TN
1DGEMAN Offline OP
mopar
1DGEMAN  Offline OP
mopar

Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 604
TN
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
Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger [Re: 1DGEMAN] #2623765
02/20/19 04:11 PM
02/20/19 04:11 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,540
Motor City
6
6PKRTSE Offline
master
6PKRTSE  Offline
master
6

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,540
Motor City
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.
Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger [Re: 1DGEMAN] #2623770
02/20/19 04:21 PM
02/20/19 04:21 PM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 428
Oakville, Ontario, Canada
CDN72SE Offline
mopar
CDN72SE  Offline
mopar

Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 428
Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Reminds me of The Mod Squad '71 Challenger convertible that had a '72 front clip put on for the 1972 season.

Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger [Re: 1DGEMAN] #2623775
02/20/19 04:34 PM
02/20/19 04:34 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,137
East Aurora (Buffalo) NY
RoadRunner Offline
master
RoadRunner  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,137
East Aurora (Buffalo) NY
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
Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger [Re: 1DGEMAN] #2623803
02/20/19 05:47 PM
02/20/19 05:47 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,979
Scranton, PA
Montclaire Offline
master
Montclaire  Offline
master

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,979
Scranton, PA
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.
Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger [Re: 1DGEMAN] #2623808
02/20/19 05:50 PM
02/20/19 05:50 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,149
Park Forest, IL
slantzilla Offline
Too Many Posts
slantzilla  Offline
Too Many Posts

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,149
Park Forest, IL
Contact member 727specialists. He converted a '73 to a '70 and could have everything you need.


"Everybody funny, now you funny too."
Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger [Re: 1DGEMAN] #2623859
02/20/19 06:47 PM
02/20/19 06:47 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,979
Scranton, PA
Montclaire Offline
master
Montclaire  Offline
master

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,979
Scranton, PA
73's used a heavy piece of steel behind the rear bumper to meet the 5mph impact regs, might be worth finding one for a little edge with weight transfer.

Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger [Re: 6PKRTSE] #2623864
02/20/19 07:04 PM
02/20/19 07:04 PM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,089
Valencia, España
NachoRT74 Offline
master
NachoRT74  Offline
master

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,089
Valencia, España
Originally Posted By 6PKRTSE
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
Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger [Re: 1DGEMAN] #2623892
02/20/19 08:07 PM
02/20/19 08:07 PM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,681
Florida
BDW Offline
master
BDW  Offline
master

Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,681
Florida
Why does everyone try to talk someone out of what they’re doing?
If he already has the 70, stick with it and change out grill and tail panel.

If we want to save him money, sell the 70 and get a Camaro.

Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger [Re: 1DGEMAN] #2623897
02/20/19 08:22 PM
02/20/19 08:22 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,979
Scranton, PA
Montclaire Offline
master
Montclaire  Offline
master

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,979
Scranton, PA
I have seen some very tempting 72-74s lately...

Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger [Re: 1DGEMAN] #2623965
02/20/19 10:55 PM
02/20/19 10:55 PM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,791
MI, usa
dvw Offline
master
dvw  Offline
master

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,791
MI, usa
I did the opposite swap. Installed a 70 grille in a 73 car. You need to drill the spot welds holding the headlamp buckets in the front fenders and remove them. Install 72 grille (which has integral headlamp buckets), a tail light panel and rear lights. NHRA doesn't care about marker lamps. My bet is they wont check bumper brackets or bumper filler panel either.
Doug

Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger [Re: 1DGEMAN] #2624014
02/21/19 12:23 AM
02/21/19 12:23 AM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,363
Cotati, CA
Dave Hall Offline
top fuel
Dave Hall  Offline
top fuel

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,363
Cotati, CA
We are talking Super Stock. If the car is already back half and caged it would NOT be cheaper to start over on another car...Landy and others did this back in the day when the factory wanted the current model.

Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger [Re: 1DGEMAN] #2624016
02/21/19 12:27 AM
02/21/19 12:27 AM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,951
northwest USA
N
NANKET Offline
master
NANKET  Offline
master
N

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,951
northwest USA
NHRA is very lax on tech these days. However just a couple years ago the bounced an early 70’s fIrebird for not having the big heavy front brackets that belonged there.

Yes if it is already a race car then not cheaper to switch bodies.

Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger [Re: 1DGEMAN] #2624025
02/21/19 12:36 AM
02/21/19 12:36 AM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,979
Scranton, PA
Montclaire Offline
master
Montclaire  Offline
master

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,979
Scranton, PA
Don't know if it's legal in your class but showcars makes a one piece. And I agree if the car is already modified it really doesn't matter. It can always be changed back.


Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger [Re: dvw] #2624044
02/21/19 01:24 AM
02/21/19 01:24 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,149
Park Forest, IL
slantzilla Offline
Too Many Posts
slantzilla  Offline
Too Many Posts

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,149
Park Forest, IL
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. laugh2


"Everybody funny, now you funny too."
Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger [Re: 1DGEMAN] #2624125
02/21/19 11:32 AM
02/21/19 11:32 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,137
East Aurora (Buffalo) NY
RoadRunner Offline
master
RoadRunner  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,137
East Aurora (Buffalo) NY
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
Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger [Re: 1DGEMAN] #2624244
02/21/19 03:33 PM
02/21/19 03:33 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 604
TN
1DGEMAN Offline OP
mopar
1DGEMAN  Offline OP
mopar

Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 604
TN
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
Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger [Re: 1DGEMAN] #2624830
02/22/19 06:34 PM
02/22/19 06:34 PM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,440
NW Chicago suburban area
Mopar Mitch Offline
pro stock
Mopar Mitch  Offline
pro stock

Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,440
NW Chicago suburban area
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!
Re: converting 70 challenger to 72 challenger [Re: 1DGEMAN] #2624834
02/22/19 06:47 PM
02/22/19 06:47 PM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,089
Valencia, España
NachoRT74 Offline
master
NachoRT74  Offline
master

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,089
Valencia, España
oh, well if car is already heavily modified, that's a diff deal


With a Charger born in Chrysler assembly plant in Valencia, Venezuela






Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1