convert 70 charger to 68

[clemfor]

how different are the front fenders can they be modified or must they be changed and will 68 fit ?    front wrap bumper on 1970 once removed will 68 grill fit ? is the hood different ? will 68 dash fit 1970  how about front and rear bumpers ?  tail lights ? 

thanks  clemfor

[terrible one]

Why not just sell the '70 and buy a '68? It would be easier and cheaper, and there's no reason to pull an identity change on a '70. They are, by the way, the least abundant of the 2nd gens.

Fenders are different, hood is different, '68 grill won't fit with the '70 fenders, tail panel is different, etc.

[clemfor]

my first car when I was 17 was a 68 charger, long sold it, now I have the chance to grab a 70 for cheap so I want to build a 68, may fav year. the 70 does not have an interior or power train or grill ,  no rust

[Spike]

clemfor, it would be easier and probably cheaper to flip the 70 once you get it and look for your 68.
Whatever you decide to do could you pass on the info about the 70 http://1970chargerregistry.com/page2.html

[Troy]

To do it right is a lot of work. Nearly everything except the unibody is slightly different. The entire front clip needs changed out (fenders, hood, valence, bumper, bumper bracket, etc.). The fenders are missing several inches of metal due to the wraparound bumper so modifying them would be a chore. The headlights on a 70 are electric so you'd need to add the vaccuum system for the 68. The doors have a different lock location. The side marker lights are different so the rear quarters would have to be modified. The taillights and tailpanel are different and finding good 68 taillights is entertaining. The rear valence and reverse lights are different. The dash frame itself is probably the same but the bezels and dash pad are different. The front seats, door panels, door pads, and console top plates are different. The roof, glass, top trim, and rear bumper are the same.

I agree that it would be a better idea to start with a 68. If you can get the 70 cheap then sell it for a profit. Some guys are making Daytona clones and they'd be better off starting with a 70 body since they need the fenders, hood, and tail panel any way. Maybe you can work out a trade. Unless you are great at tracking down rare and hard to find parts AND good at body work then you'll easily have double the investment in the car when it's done. If you ever have to sell then a 70 cloned into a 68 would be worth a lot less and it's doubtful that you could recover your investment. I know it's difficult to find a decent 68 project (or finished car sometimes) but the extra time it takes now will save you tons of money later. Ask around, it may not be as hard as you think to find a 68.

Troy

[69charger2002]

actually even the dash frame is different. at least some mounting holes.. i tried putting some 70 dash pads(the hard plastic ones that don't warp).. on my 69 general lee. none of the mounting holes matched up. so technically that will cause you a problem as well unless you use the 70 lower dash pieces
trav

[Troy]

I didn't know that Travis, thanks. I thought of some other things too. The ignition on a 70 is on the steering column and in the dash for the 68 so the lower pads and dash frame would have to be different in that case. There's been some discussion in the past about the trim panel around the 70 taillights but I know some cars didn't get it (500 models?). Along those lines, the 68 has unique trim under the taillights that isn't found on the later cars. The trim on the sides of the taillights is unique to 68 also. The 4-speed shifter (if necessary) is a pistol grip in 70 only. In the case of reusing some front end parts, the lights in the front valence, the hood turn signals, and hood latch are all different.

Troy

[bull]

I want to convert my wife's minivan into a Cobra kit car. Where do I start?

[chargerrt]

You might need to buy a Fiero first

[Troy]

I want to convert my wife's minivan into a Cobra kit car. Where do I start?

Sawzall?

Troy

[69charger2002]

LOL no doubt. minivan's are a perfect sawzall practicing platform

[MoparManJim]

I want to convert my wife's minivan into a Cobra kit car. Where do I start?

Sawzall?

Troy

hey Troy,  I was thinking the same thing also! 

[Silver R/T]

I would just keep 70, they look just as nice as 68

[Chris G.]

I agree with everyone here and think that you need to sell the '70 for what you can and get yourself a '68. Much less headaches, and your VIN will always say that it's a true '68. 

[Highbanked Hauler]

I agree with everyone here and think that you need to sell the '70 for what you can and get yourself a '68. Much less headaches, and your VIN will always say that it's a true '68. 

[dkn1997]

Since I don't like the front end on the 70, I vote for putting a 68 nose on it.  leave everything else, even the tailights.  The most distinctive feature of the 68 is that wide mouth no BS, open for business grill anyway.  Sure the tailights are cool too, but the others will do.

and you better keep the door scoops.  I love those things

[Charger_Fan]

I agree with everyone here and think that you need to sell the '70 for what you can and get yourself a '68. Much less headaches, and your VIN will always say that it's a true '68. 

[squeakfinder]

Might be easier to turn it into to a Dayclona. At least you could keep the fenders and hood that way.

[Blakcharger440]

I had considered putting a 68 front end on a 70 Charger 500 project that I have, but I already have a good grille,bumper and passenger side fender for it.....If I didnt already have those parts I would consider doing the 68 or 69 front if two reasons existed.

1) I already had a complete 68 or 69 front end
2) I could get a good deal on a 68 or 69 front end.

[Nacho-RT74]

something similar where opinions are the same:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,19527.0.html