68' to 69' Charger Conversion Question

[Generalkiwi]

Hey All,

This might have been covered in another thread, if so then please can someone post it up here for me as i can't find it.
Basically i just want to know what would need to be done to convert a 68' Charger to outwardly look like a 69' Charger
I have always wanted a 69' but the costs are quite high for a true one as we all know, i have found a really nice straight 68' for a really good price that i can afford ,i only want to change it's outside appearance cosmetically to look like a 69' so to speak, is it just a case of changing the tail lights and grill and removing the small side lights on the rear and front quarters ?

Otherwise the body shape is exactly the same and once the lights are changed it would exactly the same as a 69' correct?....i know they did this in the Dukes of Hazzard (aka used 68's changed to look like 69's because of cost) ..if anyone can help with advice then that would be great!

Cheers!

[Baldwinvette77]

Yup, im currently doing it to what was once a 68, the taillight panel, and the grille are really the most important, the valance is different, no reverse lights on the 68, but the General didn't have those anyway, fuel door is different, but i like the 68 fuel door better anyway, just remove the marker lights and you're good to go 

[don duick]

if I had a 69 I would want a 68 grill.

[Generalkiwi]

Yup, im currently doing it to what was once a 68, the taillight panel, and the grille are really the most important, the valance is different, no reverse lights on the 68, but the General didn't have those anyway, fuel door is different, but i like the 68 fuel door better anyway, just remove the marker lights and you're good to go 

Thanks for that! ....i guess the next issue is finding a grill and taillight assembly, that will cost abit judging by what i have seen on ebay, but if i sell the 68' grill and taillight assembly that should offset some of the cost to change it.

Thanks again for the advice, its much appreciated 

[Dino]

Why not buy the 68, clean it up and sell or trade (+ cash) for a 69?  You'll save yourself a lot of work and money, not to mention not having to cut up a car.

[Generalkiwi]

Good question Dino, the thing is it has already being done up as a GL replica (which is what i want) , everything else looks good on the car except the for the fact that it has a 68' body and hence why the price is affordable for me compared to a true 69' GL.

If i can change its appearance to a 69' for a reasonable price then its job done and i have my dream 69' GL clone, hence me asking about this as an option....looking on ebay though i see grills going for nearly $2,500, i just need to figure out if its worth doing all this to make it work, or passing on this car and keep patiently waiting for the right one to come along where i might not have to do something as extreme. I've been waiting so long now though and i just want to get hold of the car and get out driving 

[Baldwinvette77]

Good question Dino, the thing is it has already being done up as a GL replica (which is what i want) , everything else looks good on the car except the for the fact that it has a 68' body and hence why the price is affordable for me compared to a true 69' GL.

If i can change its appearance to a 69' for a reasonable price then its job done and i have my dream 69' GL clone, hence me asking about this as an option....looking on ebay though i see grills going for nearly $2,500, i just need to figure out if its worth doing all this to make it work, or passing on this car and keep patiently waiting for the right one to come along where i might not have to do something as extreme. I've been waiting so long now though and i just want to get hold of the car and get out driving 

Hmmmm if it's already painted, the side markers may be a problem, the car will need to be repainted   

[Generalkiwi]

Good question Dino, the thing is it has already being done up as a GL replica (which is what i want) , everything else looks good on the car except the for the fact that it has a 68' body and hence why the price is affordable for me compared to a true 69' GL.

If i can change its appearance to a 69' for a reasonable price then its job done and i have my dream 69' GL clone, hence me asking about this as an option....looking on ebay though i see grills going for nearly $2,500, i just need to figure out if its worth doing all this to make it work, or passing on this car and keep patiently waiting for the right one to come along where i might not have to do something as extreme. I've been waiting so long now though and i just want to get hold of the car and get out driving 

Hmmmm if it's already painted, the side markers may be a problem, the car will need to be repainted   

ok thanks mate, its all that type of thing that i need to take into consideration and cost of doing to make this work.

Thanks 

[Cooter]

Actually depends on how "correct" you want your GL. There were some on the showv that had '68 markers painted right over.
the beauty of doing a GL is there's a lot of ways to do it and still be correct.

[Dreamcar]

Why not buy the 68, clean it up and sell or trade (+ cash) for a 69?  You'll save yourself a lot of work and money, not to mention not having to cut up a car.

Front fenders can be replaced and the original 68s can be put aside and saved, but changing the side markers on the rear means cutting up rear quarters. You said the car is straight now, so I wouldn't want to do unessary body work on a car that is straight and only needing paint. Also, if its rare 68 that is worth more restored to original, you'll want to consider that too before converting to a 69.

BUT, if its not rare and the quarters have some rot and require fixing anyway, then its a great time for the conversion.  Just my 

[lexxman]

Is there really that much price difference between the two models? I figured all gen two were about the same.

[charge69]

There are a few more things different between the '68 and '69 Charger but, most people would never know the difference. Among them:  The dash pad is different, the door-lock location is different and the upholstery patterns are different.

Certainly no deal-breakers and they did use both year Chargers as a General Lee so .......... use what you got and call it "even".

[Troy]

There are a lot more differences than you'd think. It depends on whether you want it to look like a factory 69 or a hacked up General Lee. And let's not kid ourselves, the show cars were hacked together!

The doors, fenders, quarters, hood, grill frame, rear valance, tail panel, and dash frame are different. The doors are only different where the inside lock knob is located, the quarters only where the side markers are, and the rear valance only because of the reverse lights. Then there's the wiring harnesses for the different lights and ignition switch. Inside, the console tops, dash, dash pads, door pads, door panels, seat covers, gauge bezels, and shifter knob are all different. The grill itself is mostly the same except for the center plastic/trim and the hood latch mechanism so if you can get a 68 with a nice grill you're most of the way there. Even the headlight vacuum canisters are slightly different between the two. Most 68s don't have head rests and, if you happen across an early 68, the ashtray, deck lid, tail light supports, and door panel emblems are different as well. And don't forget the gas cap!

Troy

[Baldwinvette77]

are there any pictures of this 68 GL? because i remember reading about a 68 GL in the UK that was a former Deathproof stuntcar 

[6pkrtse]

My old 69 Charger had a 68' grille in it. I don't remember what was all required to make the switch. I want to say it was a bolt in deal???

[Dino]

Why not buy the 68, clean it up and sell or trade (+ cash) for a 69?  You'll save yourself a lot of work and money, not to mention not having to cut up a car.

Front fenders can be replaced and the original 68s can be put aside and saved, but changing the side markers on the rear means cutting up rear quarters. You said the car is straight now, so I wouldn't want to do unessary body work on a car that is straight and only needing paint. Also, if its rare 68 that is worth more restored to original, you'll want to consider that too before converting to a 69.

BUT, if its not rare and the quarters have some rot and require fixing anyway, then its a great time for the conversion.  Just my 

And I agree with that!   

You really need to know a few things about the car:  what is its true condition, meaning you have to go over the whole thing.  If it's a bondo'ed up car I would just walk away regardless of the other factors.  There need not be more people who get in way over their heads.  If this turns out to be a top dollar '68 due to condition and options then buy that thing, get rid of the GL uniform and sell it for a profit.  If it's a pretty bare SB car however that needs some tlc but has good bones then sure you can do the conversion.

Don't be fooled though, your car will either be a perfect conversion or people will be asking you a whole lotta annoying questions.  These moparians are out of their friggin' minds!   

I have owned both '68 and '69 Chargers and love both for different reasons.  Hypothetically speaking, if I would drive a GL then it would HAVE to be a true 69.  I don't care if they used '68's on the show, which they did.  I could never feel the same driving a '68 GL, no matter how well converted it was.  I'm funny that way.   

Go see the car and see what your gut tells you.  Start telling yourself over and over that this is not the only Charger you will ever find.  It's funny how life goes that way.  Don't buy it because you feel you have to.  That rarely ends well.  If you look at it sober and rational it will either return the favor when you turn it on or it won't.  When I went to look at my current Charger I knew it was mine the second I saw it.  When it started up my wife standing next to me knew as well.  I think she drooled a little bit more than I did.   

Good luck in whatever you decide.   

[6spd68]

I have owned both '68 and '69 Chargers and love both for different reasons.  Hypothetically speaking, if I would drive a GL then it would HAVE to be a true 69.  I don't care if they used '68's on the show, which they did.  I could never feel the same driving a '68 GL, no matter how well converted it was.  I'm funny that way.   

Agreed, I'm the same way.  Hence why I would never build a 69 with a 68 grille.   

[bill440rt]

Why not buy the 68, clean it up and sell or trade (+ cash) for a 69?  You'll save yourself a lot of work and money, not to mention not having to cut up a car.

Front fenders can be replaced and the original 68s can be put aside and saved, but changing the side markers on the rear means cutting up rear quarters. You said the car is straight now, so I wouldn't want to do unessary body work on a car that is straight and only needing paint. Also, if its rare 68 that is worth more restored to original, you'll want to consider that too before converting to a 69.

BUT, if its not rare and the quarters have some rot and require fixing anyway, then its a great time for the conversion.  Just my 

I agree.
Finding a '69 in your case has my vote.

[elanmars]

Have the prices between 68s and 69s gotten wide lately?

If so, I'm going to have to start looking for a 68 too, otherwise, they all seem to be about the same price wise....

[Brock Lee]

A large percentage of General Lee's were 1968's, so why not model one of those? Delete the side markers, add the '69 taillights, use a '69 grille or grille center, use a wide pushbar and that weird beige/tan color for the interior? Done and authentic.

[jaak]

I'm converting a 68-69. Don't know yet if its going to be a GL. At first I was just going to convert the tail panel and taillights, but I wound up converting the outside to look like a 69. As others have stated they are several differences between a 68 & 9, but I'm not worrying over all the little details. Here is what I bought and what it cost me...

69 AMD TailPanel...125 (bought from a member here)
69 Grille Center...250 (bought on eBay)
69 Grille 'I' moulding... 40 (nice used, Moparts member)
69 Grill Trim...0! (just cut the 2 long 68 pcs to the 4 short 69 pcs)
69 Tail panel mouldings... 40 (nice used, eBay)
70 Taillights w/bezels.... 150 (nice used, eBay)
69 Back up lights... 70 (nice used, eBay)

I'm not going to install the 69 sidemarkers, I just plan on filling the round 68 holes. Also be mindful you can't use the 68 hood release with a 69 grille (its in a different location, and is a different part on each model) You either got to find the 69 parts, or put in a release cable it using the 68 latch.

But there is a main list of parts just to make the outside appear to be a 69. On here we will still be able to tell it was a 68, by the little details...but the most folks won't know it was a 68.

Jason

[Mopar Nut]

Get that car, make it your own and start driving. You are already ahead of the game, you own a Charger.

Make sure you post before and after pictures.   

[Generalkiwi]

Actually depends on how "correct" you want your GL. There were some on the showv that had '68 markers painted right over.
the beauty of doing a GL is there's a lot of ways to do it and still be correct.

Hey Cooter,

That's true mate, outside of the car i'm pretty fussy and want it to look just how i want it to, inside wise i am not as fussy, i won't be having a roll cage or CB radio or any of that, currently the inside material is black, i prefer the tan but will change it at some point in the furture (if i get it) , again its the outside look that i really want to be right and if its to much trouble to change this then i will wait.

Cheers

[Generalkiwi]

Why not buy the 68, clean it up and sell or trade (+ cash) for a 69?  You'll save yourself a lot of work and money, not to mention not having to cut up a car.

Front fenders can be replaced and the original 68s can be put aside and saved, but changing the side markers on the rear means cutting up rear quarters. You said the car is straight now, so I wouldn't want to do unessary body work on a car that is straight and only needing paint. Also, if its rare 68 that is worth more restored to original, you'll want to consider that too before converting to a 69.

BUT, if its not rare and the quarters have some rot and require fixing anyway, then its a great time for the conversion.  Just my 

Cheers and thanks for you input , all valid points that i am taking into consideration

[Generalkiwi]

Why not buy the 68, clean it up and sell or trade (+ cash) for a 69?  You'll save yourself a lot of work and money, not to mention not having to cut up a car.

Front fenders can be replaced and the original 68s can be put aside and saved, but changing the side markers on the rear means cutting up rear quarters. You said the car is straight now, so I wouldn't want to do unessary body work on a car that is straight and only needing paint. Also, if its rare 68 that is worth more restored to original, you'll want to consider that too before converting to a 69.

BUT, if its not rare and the quarters have some rot and require fixing anyway, then its a great time for the conversion.  Just my 

And I agree with that!   

You really need to know a few things about the car:  what is its true condition, meaning you have to go over the whole thing.  If it's a bondo'ed up car I would just walk away regardless of the other factors.  There need not be more people who get in way over their heads.  If this turns out to be a top dollar '68 due to condition and options then buy that thing, get rid of the GL uniform and sell it for a profit.  If it's a pretty bare SB car however that needs some tlc but has good bones then sure you can do the conversion.

Don't be fooled though, your car will either be a perfect conversion or people will be asking you a whole lotta annoying questions.  These moparians are out of their friggin' minds!   

I have owned both '68 and '69 Chargers and love both for different reasons.  Hypothetically speaking, if I would drive a GL then it would HAVE to be a true 69.  I don't care if they used '68's on the show, which they did.  I could never feel the same driving a '68 GL, no matter how well converted it was.  I'm funny that way.   

Go see the car and see what your gut tells you.  Start telling yourself over and over that this is not the only Charger you will ever find.  It's funny how life goes that way.  Don't buy it because you feel you have to.  That rarely ends well.  If you look at it sober and rational it will either return the favor when you turn it on or it won't.  When I went to look at my current Charger I knew it was mine the second I saw it.  When it started up my wife standing next to me knew as well.  I think she drooled a little bit more than I did.   

Good luck in whatever you decide.   

Cheers Dino, i think this part of your comment has really hit home for me

"if I would drive a GL then it would HAVE to be a true 69.  I don't care if they used '68's on the show, which they did.  I could never feel the same driving a '68 GL, no matter how well converted it was."

Deep down if i am honest with myself i think i am also like this, although i might finally have my GL and be overjoyed about that, a part of me would always say inside "yeah but it's a 68' and not a true 69' GL"
The 68's are cool don't get me wrong, but since the age of 9 i have always wanted a 69' GL , so with that in mind i think Dino's comment along with everyone's has helped me make up my mind. I will pass on this one.

Thanks to all of you for the comments and feedback, lots of ideas from all different angles and things that i didn't even consider, so a big cheers to all  , great site this one with lots of knowledgeable friendly folk 

The search continues on and thankyou!

Cheers