My 1970 Charger front clip

[Davef.]

Hello everyone, my name is Dave and I recently joined the forum. I have purchased a 1970 Charger 500 shell. I am thinking of building a general lee car and have questions about the front clip of the car. it needs front frame rail replacements, to accept 69 fenders and hood, what needs to be changed? thanks in advance.

[JB400]

Welcome to the club   I hope your only changing your frame rails because they are rusted or damaged.  As far as swapping to a 69 front clip, you'll need fenders, hood, grille and grille support, front valance, bumper, bumper brackets, parking lights.  Dunno about the hinges.

[Davef.]

Thank you! Ya the rails are gone and one back rail. I'm currently merging a 1969 fender to the front section of a 70 fender for a resto project at school, the 69 fender wouldn't fit because of the headlight bracket. This made me think there was definitely a length difference in frame rails? So for my car, someone told me the core support and a few other things needed changing? I just want to do it right.

[bill440rt]

If you want to do it right, please stop hacking at the '70 fenders because I'm sure there are some other members on here that could really use them. '70 fenders are hard to come by because they are one year only & not reproduced. Also, '70 fenders are different dimensionally so grafting on a '69 front won't really work. '70 fenders are wider on the top, and the valence mating contour is also different.

You do not have to change frame rails, core support, etc. Open an AMD catalog & order your '69 front clip brand-new, including the grille support (that's where you'll find the headlamp mounts for your '69 conversion, in '70 they are on the fenders). Hinges will be the same.
Buy a used grille assembly complete, that will give you the actuators, linkage, etc. You'll also need to source a new headlamp harness, the '69 vacuum harnesses are now disco'd so happy hunting.

FWIW, it would be easier converting a '68 to do what you want to do. Or even better yet, find a '69. Too many differences between '69 & '70 to make it worth it.

[Davef.]

Sorry the fender I was speaking of belongs to the school I go to, I personally wouldn't do that. this was a project that someone else had started. Your info is awesome, unfortunately the 70 is the car I have to work with and wanted to convert it, but now that you mention it, original resto would be nice. I just figured the car is just a beat shell and I would be starting from scratch anyway.

[JB400]

I agree with Bill.  There is no need to hack things together to get what you want.  A little time flipping through a catalogs, online, or placing wish lists on here will be 110% better than modifying 70 pieces.  Actually, put your front clip up for sale and use the money to get a 69 clip.

[bill440rt]

I agree with Bill.  There is no need to hack things together to get what you want.  A little time flipping through a catalogs, online, or placing wish lists on here will be 110% better than modifying 70 pieces.  Actually, put your front clip up for sale and use the money to get a 69 clip.

Or, sell the '70 & use the money to get a '69 project! 
Even a '68 would be less of a headache. 
You'll also have to drill out the firewall for the vacuum headlight harness. Then there's the dash cluster with the vacuum headlamp switch. And the vacuum can under the battery tray. Or, convert the headlights with one of those electric conversions, but those are big bucks too.
I can appreciate your determination & building what you want, but before jumping the gun (which sounds like you are doing), do some research please. Learn about the differences of all 3 years in detail, & what parts are different. Compile a list of parts & mini-subprojects. Look for '69 projects that are out there, that would be easiest.

[Fred]

Welcome. 

[Ghoste]

I'm with Bill, sell the 70 and do a 69.  If you want, do some work on the 70 to make it nicer and the.n flip it, it would be a good teacher on restoration and help to make your 69 project better

[bill440rt]

Oh yeah, WELCOME to DC.com!!     

Before we can go any further, pics are necessary! 

[Ghoste]

Oh yeah, sorry (following Bill again).  Welcome to the site Dave.

[Cooter]

Dave, I swapped a 1970 Shell for a friend over to a 1969 and also did a conversion on a 1968. The 68 SUCKED becasue of the tail panel replacement.
The 1970 has enough the same at the rear to use the 1970 Tail panel. You are far better off using a 1970 and converting back to 1969.


This isn't a hard swap persay, but alot of tedious things like side marker replacement on rear quaters. Not a big deal if it needs quarters anyway.
As for the rest, things like different dash trim, and Ignition on column VS in dash on 1969. Other than that, the '69 Front clip bolts on...

[nvrbdn]

welcome dave. as you probably already have observed, you can get alot of knowledge in here. there is alot of love for all 3 2nd gen cars that all have their own little quirks. i was stuck on 68 until i settled for my 70 when i couldnt find a 68 project. who woulda thunk it, but i absolutely love the 70 now. you did say mabey just a 70 resto. let her grow on you and see what you prefer. if you still want to do a 69, just list the 70 front clip for sale. you will find takers.   enjoy the site.

[bill440rt]

If it were my dime (and it's not), & rather change out a tail panel & bolt in a set of tail lights & call it a day rather than trying to get all the '69 front end stuff to work on a '70 body.
If all we're talking about are "basic" visuals between a '68/'69 GL conversion, it's a tail panel, tail lights, & a grille center. Done. But, Dave doesn't have a '68, he has a '70.
Sure, a '69 front clip will bolt-on, but now you have to get everything to actually WORK. There are many difficult small parts that will have to be sourced to make this all work. And Dave, if you are not familiar with these cars, the task will be daunting.

Good luck whatever you choose, but before you get over your head do some research.
I think there was a thread before on this very same topic with all the comparisons & differences. Try doing a simple search.

[Patronus]

Ive seen some beautiful 70's on here. IMHO they may be the year to have.. Certainly the best looking in pro-touring trim..