Author Topic: Changing a 72 to a 70....debating it. Comments?  (Read 18231 times)

Offline dave73chally

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Re: Changing a 72 to a 70....debating it. Comments?
« Reply #45 on: December 16, 2014 - 08:51:43 PM »
Anyone do this recently that could post a parts list, supplier, and cost of each part for the front and back conversion? Maybe that would bring to life what it'll really take for him to make the conversion  :dunno:

Maybe sticky it also? Seems like it comes up a lot
73 Challenger
512 / 4spd / Hotchkis & QA1 Suspension




Offline Mpdlawdog

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Re: Changing a 72 to a 70....debating it. Comments?
« Reply #46 on: December 17, 2014 - 10:24:31 AM »
so has anybody tried to fit a new challenger grill in an old one???  I found this on the internet....


My buddy just let me have an old set of 70 headlight bezels..looking at using (altering) them to make the trim around the fenders (like the 70/71)...

as far as cost....I have been looking.....
bezels...$340
Grill......$750
fenders...$800-$1000
marker lights and retainers..$200-500?
I know there is a weld in piece to change the rear to a 70 thats like $80
Grill install kit.....$80
rear tail light panel...$250-$400
rear tail lights...seem hard to find...some sets on ebay used for $300+
What else am I missing????
« Last Edit: December 17, 2014 - 11:02:19 AM by Mpdlawdog »

Offline Mpdlawdog

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Re: Changing a 72 to a 70....debating it. Comments?
« Reply #47 on: December 18, 2014 - 05:46:18 PM »
a member here azievingar has the trim around the front grill...I pm him to see how he did it...what do you guys think?? and scratch the new grill idea...if I wanted a new one id go buy one...sry for that.

Offline dave73chally

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Re: Changing a 72 to a 70....debating it. Comments?
« Reply #48 on: December 18, 2014 - 06:13:23 PM »
Looks like paint to me. And I think those wheels are photoshopped?
73 Challenger
512 / 4spd / Hotchkis & QA1 Suspension

Offline Mpdlawdog

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Re: Changing a 72 to a 70....debating it. Comments?
« Reply #49 on: December 18, 2014 - 07:59:31 PM »
sadly they are not...he has several pics of them on the car....
heres another one I found with the trim....


Offline Katfish

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Re: Changing a 72 to a 70....debating it. Comments?
« Reply #51 on: December 19, 2014 - 10:12:43 AM »
Looks good, sell yours and pick that 1 up.

Offline dfrazz

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Re: Changing a 72 to a 70....debating it. Comments?
« Reply #52 on: December 19, 2014 - 11:39:01 AM »
 :iagree:  Unless you are really into fabrication, I would seriously consider buying this one and selling yours.  You will most likely save $$$ in the end, not to mention time and headaches. 

Offline anlauto

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Offline Mpdlawdog

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Re: Changing a 72 to a 70....debating it. Comments?
« Reply #54 on: December 19, 2014 - 12:26:04 PM »
Don't like how the marker lights don't match...one or the other buddy... :nono:

I just saw that also....no way that is a 22K car IMO.....I can buy my buddys 71 440 6 pack 4 speed for $30k (clone)

I bought my car because it was a 4 speed and solid...I dont have to replace any panels or do any body work...i took the front end off to upgrade the suspension and paint the engine compartment..she really just needs put back together and painted....I can deal with the fact its grill is not exactly perty (in my book)...I cant see the grill while Im going through the gears anyway.... :burnout:..

I finally got my grill assembly back to my house....Im going to see what I can come up with...going to try the trim around the outside first....

Offline HP2

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Re: Changing a 72 to a 70....debating it. Comments?
« Reply #55 on: December 19, 2014 - 03:03:27 PM »
You can always black at the grill and header to make them blend in together better. Like the red car you posted above.

Offline rhamson

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Re: Changing a 72 to a 70....debating it. Comments?
« Reply #56 on: December 19, 2014 - 03:08:22 PM »
Don't like how the marker lights don't match...one or the other buddy... :nono:
I chose neither. I liked the '71 Roadrunner side markers. The car is not finished yet but here is a preview.

Offline garity

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Re: Changing a 72 to a 70....debating it. Comments?
« Reply #57 on: December 20, 2014 - 02:49:31 AM »
I have read a few threads about the change over, one additional thing I have yet to to be seen to be mentioned is if you do this to a 74, you will need a new flasher, two sockets and two additional tail light bulbs.
« Last Edit: December 20, 2014 - 02:56:23 AM by garity »

Offline 72bluNblu

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Re: Changing a 72 to a 70....debating it. Comments?
« Reply #58 on: December 20, 2014 - 04:22:54 AM »
so has anybody tried to fit a new challenger grill in an old one???  I found this on the internet....


My buddy just let me have an old set of 70 headlight bezels..looking at using (altering) them to make the trim around the fenders (like the 70/71)...

as far as cost....I have been looking.....
bezels...$340
Grill......$750
fenders...$800-$1000
marker lights and retainers..$200-500?
I know there is a weld in piece to change the rear to a 70 thats like $80
Grill install kit.....$80
rear tail light panel...$250-$400
rear tail lights...seem hard to find...some sets on ebay used for $300+
What else am I missing????

Those prices are ridiculous!!!  :faint:

I have all the parts to convert the front clip of my '72 to a '71. I did end up paying about $700 for a good '71 Challenger grille (man those are a pain to find), but everything else I bought was about 1/2 the cost of what you have listed. I only have about $500 into the PAIR of '71 fenders I bought, and if you pay $200 for marker lights you'd better be talking about all 4 of them, complete with everything. If it weren't for the grilleI don't think I'd even have $1k into the front clip- fenders, latch panel, hood latch, headlight bezels, marker lights, etc. With everything then I guess I'm into it around $1,700, but most of that is grille. But I'm not converting the rear tail lights, just the rear markers.

As far as the naysayers, you won't get less for a '72 that's been converted to a '70. You'll get more than you would for a non-numbers, no fender tag '72. No, you won't get as much as if it were a real '70, but that should be obvious. The '72+ Challengers are probably only worth about 50-75% of what an equivalent '70 is worth. Go buy a finished '70 for under $20k. Good luck! I bought my '72 for $11k, drove it home, and have put 50k miles on it since using it as my daily driver. You can buy good condition 72+ Challengers for under 20k all day long, and even the '72+ Rallye's in excellent restored condition rarely go for more than low 30's. Won't see that with a '70 R/T.

If the side markers don't bother you, I have a set of '70 headlight buckets. They were removed from an original set of '70 fenders, and can be spot welded back into a set of '72 up fenders with a little work. They aren't perfect, but they'll work just fine. I managed to find a set of '71 fenders for my car, which will work out better because my '72's fenders have some rust anyway. PM me if you're interested in the buckets.

Oh, and you'll need a new hood latch panel and hood latch. The '72 version is different from the '70 and won't work with the earlier grill.

Offline dodj

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Re: Changing a 72 to a 70....debating it. Comments?
« Reply #59 on: December 20, 2014 - 08:23:25 AM »
You can always black at the grill and header to make them blend in together better. Like the red car you posted above.
That's what I did.
Did you decide on a colour yet Lawdog?
Scott
1973 Challenger  440 4 spd 
2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
Good friends don't let friends do stupid things. ........alone.