Difference Between 71-72 and 73-74 Chargers?

[triple_green]

Hi All,

Being an Ignorant 2nd gen Charger owner, I always thought the 71-74 chargers were basically all the same body style, etc. What are the major differences between 71-72 and 73-74 besides trim differences. Are the 73-74 cars heavier?

Thanks!
3x

[1972Rallye]

There are soooo many....

The biggest is the isolated suspension.  73-74 has rubber insulator between the k-frame and frame rail and around the leaf springs.  This also makes the inner fenders different and the front end components different.

Body character lines are different
73-74 front wheel opening is larger.
73-74 has bumper fillers between the bumper and body for 5mph impact regulations
Quarter window is different bet 71-2 and 73-4

There are LOTS of small differences.  Those are the big ones.  I'm sure others will chime in...

[1972Rallye]

I don't think the 73-74 models are too much heavier overall - maybe a little because of the extra insulation and isolators they used.  They do drive/ride nicer - from a comfort standpoint.

[Richard Cranium]

The differences are simple;

71: cool, but not as cool as '68-'70.
72: not as cool as the 71
73: even less cool than the '72
74: why bother

[TruckDriver]

'73 vs. '74 Charger's are totally different too under the body. The '74 Charger's are more like the 4th gen Charger/Cordoba body styles as far as the suspension and trunk floor.

Here is a good thread about the differences on the Third Gen forum

http://wichargerguy.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=interchangeability2&thread=877&page=1#6713

[Bob]

The differences are simple;

71: cool, but not as cool as '68-'70.
72: not as cool as the 71
73: even less cool than the '72
74: why bother

[1972Rallye]

Not to worry Bob... I think your car is awesome.  Some people just don't know how to be nice.

[Nacho-RT74]

http://wichargerguy.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=interchangeability2&thread=877&page=1#6713

HEAVIER ? MAYBE but not by much...

Actually the "big" weight difference its just on front suspension, being also A LOT stronger by design and extra stuff added for that

[Nacho-RT74]

'73 vs. '74 Charger's are totally different too under the body. The '74 Charger's are more like the 4th gen Charger/Cordoba body styles as far as the suspension and trunk floor.

Here is a good thread about the differences on the Third Gen forum

http://wichargerguy.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=interchangeability2&thread=877&page=1#6713

Ok, didn't noticed was posted before LOL

you can grab some other suff on this thread too:
http://wichargerguy.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=interchangeability2&action=display&thread=882&page=1

actually there are LOT MORE DIFFERENCES around, some small some bigger. You can check on the section where those threads were started:
http://wichargerguy.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=interchangeability2

[jaak]

71-2 has a different roof than 73-74

Jason

[Brock Samson]

  Well,.. they also lost a lot of option choices between '71 and '74 like the Six_pack and HEMI and R/T designation and Hi-Impact colors after '71,.. they were down on power too since the compression was lowered and the Smog Controls began to strangle the motors - particularly after '71. The Gross Power ratings were also recalculated to rear wheel HP instead of power at the Crank so some figures dropped by nearly 50% - though as I recall Mopars in general fared better than a lot of the other makes at least at first, a Comparo. of HP figures from. '71 to '74 will show max. HP and Torque drastically reduced along with most all options.
Luxury was substituted for Performance.
reading the reviews of the cars from Motor trend car and driver and the mainstream article avail. on line would show more specifics especially since they often compared them to the models they replaced.

[Richard Cranium]

  Well,.. they also lost a lot of option choices between '71 and '74 like the Six_pack and HEMI and R/T designation and Hi-Impact colors after '71,.. they were down on power too since the compression was lowered and the Smog Controls began to strangle the motors - particularly after '71. The Gross Power ratings were also recalculated to rear wheel HP instead of power at the Crank so some figures dropped by nearly 50% - though as I recall Mopars in general fared better than a lot of the other makes at least at first, a Comparo. of HP figures from. '71 to '74 will show max. HP and Torque drastically reduced along with most all options.
Luxury was substituted for Performance.
reading the reviews of the cars from Motor trend car and driver and the mainstream article avail. on line would show more specifics especially since they often compared them to the models they replaced.

I said the same thing, just in fewer words, a few posts above.

[Bob]

Not to worry Bob... I think your car is awesome.  Some people just don't know how to be nice.

[Nacho-RT74]

71-2 has a different roof than 73-74

Jason

nop, roof is the same... quarter is the difference... C pillar is on quarter section not on roof skin

IN FACT rarely, roof is the same even with Plymouths

BTW, I think question here is not about options available or power, just about body itself, although of course some options have to do with body too ( doors and hoods treatment, but no one about diff fitment beside just the year )

[Nacho-RT74]

  Well,.. they also lost a lot of option choices between '71 and '74 like the Six_pack and HEMI and R/T designation and Hi-Impact colors after '71,.. they were down on power too since the compression was lowered and the Smog Controls began to strangle the motors - particularly after '71. The Gross Power ratings were also recalculated to rear wheel HP instead of power at the Crank so some figures dropped by nearly 50% - though as I recall Mopars in general fared better than a lot of the other makes at least at first, a Comparo. of HP figures from. '71 to '74 will show max. HP and Torque drastically reduced along with most all options.
Luxury was substituted for Performance.
reading the reviews of the cars from Motor trend car and driver and the mainstream article avail. on line would show more specifics especially since they often compared them to the models they replaced.

I said the same thing, just in fewer words, a few posts above.

I don't think the same said, since 72s through 74s were rated the same in HP... just look changed

so if a 73 is less cool than a 74, let me know in which way, because they are same cars ( with just some unnoticeable diffs that I bet you couldn't tell )



And if power is a coolness diff, then a 69 is not cool, but yes a 69 R/T ?

[Richard Cranium]

I don't think the same said, since 72s through 74s were rated the same in HP... just look changed

so if a 73 is less cool than a 74, let me know in which way, because they are same cars ( with just some unnoticeable diffs that I bet you couldn't tell )

In previous years, the Charger was about styling & performance. Because of several factors, eventually styling & performance (particularly the latter) gave way to luxury, and that's why later models simple are not desirable. It doesn't mean that someone today can't enjoy a '74, but if parked next to a '68 Hemi Charger at a show, the '68 is the one that everyone will flock to. Please understand that this isn't a snobbish statement; rather it's a fact. The '72s still had a somewhat of a performace image and that reflects why they're worth more than later models, but they'll never be as desirable as a '71. Of course I'm referring to performance models rather than Chargers equipped with base engines because that's where the money is at. 

And if power is a coolness diff, then a 69 is not cool, but yes a 69 R/T ?

You're 100% correct. The performance versions were and always will be cool model and the ones to get. Of course non-performance Chargers are what's affordable to many here & that's understandable. Back in the late 70's to mid 80's, 318 & 383 2bbl cars Chargers were simply just parts cars. Take the good parts off & junk the rest. Many here would be horrified to see the cars that I (and many others) bought for 50-200 bucks for the sole purpose of canabalizing them, then sell what's left to a junkyard for $25.00. On the other hand, I'm amazed to see restoration performed on cars that are in far worse shape than the ones I junked. Now that's determination!!!

[GunMetal]

Bob, I like your car too!

[ACUDANUT]

The differences are simple;

71: cool, but not as cool as '68-'70.
72: not as cool as the 71
73: even less cool than the '72
74: why bother

I agree with the above.
Also, if you have a triple green car...(barf) You might consider suicide.

[bordin34]

I'll take the one on the left.

[mikesbbody]

The differences are simple;

71: cool, but not as cool as '68-'70.
72: not as cool as the 71
73: even less cool than the '72
74: why bother

I agree with the above.
Also, if you have a triple green car...(barf) You might consider suicide.

For me 71's are cooler than 72's but I would then take a 73-74 ANYDAY over a 68-70 but only if I could add my personal touche's i.e lose the 5 mph Bumper Guards, change the 73-74 Grill and Tailights If I couldn't do this then and only then would I take a 68-70 Charger there's just too many things about the 2nd Gen I don't like. I have never really gone for things that are "popular" (68-70 Charger's E Bodies etc) but by the same token, I'm not a Fan of 1st and 4th Gens  before anyone thinks I'm busting Ball's I'm not saying just because something's popular doesnt make it cool or uncool IMO you either like it or you dont. True, most People are gonna check out the Hemi Car (no matter what year) over the plain Jane Charger. Triple Green Charger's...not may personal Favourite either  but I wouldn't say no to a Triple Green 71 RT or Super Bee with any Motor/Trans combo you can always repaint it!   

[stuga]

 I think the best thing about the 3rd generation lot is that you can custom build using different parts from different years if you own a non-matching number like myself. You do have to put the Blonde on the passenger side if you have a 73SE to equal out the different size and weight of the headlights (not the car either)
But all and all I perfer any mopar, than a regular car  

[mikesbbody]

Nice pic!  and true, you can mix in match add a Bulge hood, Tailights from a different year if you like
It doesn't matter if it's not a "Rare" car IMO and best of all, since 68-70's are the most sought after, that leaves it wide open for Guy's like you and me! 

[grdprx]

I'll take the one on the left.

I'll take the one on the right then!!

[Nacho-RT74]

and everybody happy

LOL