k MEMBER SWAP 71 TO 70

[boss429kiwi]

Hi

Can a B body 1971 K member be installed into a 1970 B Body?
Are there any alterations needed?

thanks
Gary  

[ACUDANUT]

2 Different bodies. So..NO

[71_Charger_R/T]

I believe it will fit and bolt up but the pitch (angle) of the steering box mount and idler arm mount may be different.

[Kern Dog]

2 Different bodies. So..NO

The 66 B body Charger was a different body than the same year Belvedere. The K members are the same for the V8s. The 68-69 B body line used similar K members. The 70-72 B bodies used the same K members despite the body and chassis redesign. The 73 went to the isolated design with the squishy rubber spacers between the frame and K member.

[sccachallenger]

For some reason I think the '71-2, and all E body Ks are the same.
Putting the '70 in a '71 will move the engine mounting pads forward.
Going the other way will move it back of course, may have firewall issues, trans mount and all linkage clearance problems.
Please double check these measurements before you make this move

[ACUDANUT]

2 Different bodies. So..NO

The 66 B body Charger was a different body than the same year Belvedere. The K members are the same for the V8s. The 68-69 B body line used similar K members. The 70-72 B bodies used the same K members despite the body and chassis redesign. The 73 went to the isolated design with the squishy rubber spacers between the frame and K member.

The 71-72 B bodies used the same K members despite the body and chassis redesign.  Wrong, they were the same body and chassis.  Minus the Hemi for 72.

[Kern Dog]

??
I own a 1970. It sure looks different than the 71 and 72 models on the outside.

[71_Charger_R/T]

I'm not following you Acudanut. First you stated they are different bodies, "so, No!" Subsequently you are stating they are the same body and chassis.  I'm not sure of your position. Please clarify......

[71.R/T.440-4bbl...]

I have a 69 charger with a 71 k frame. The 69 k frame was damaged & all my spare parts are 71-74. It bolted up & the only difference I know of is on a 68/69 sway bar mounts in front on k frame. 70-72 sway bars mount in the middle of the k frame. Also 68/69 LCA sway bar links mount on the far end & 70-72 mount in the closer to the middle of the LCA. I used the 71 k frame, 71 LCA & 71 sway bar. Also used 71 disc brake assembly on my 69. I did use the 69 steering gear box, linkage & idler arm. The 69 steering column line up, it's been that way sin 2003 & works great. So a 71 k frame will work on a 70 & the 70 LCA will bolt up on the 71 k frame. I hope this helps.

[ACUDANUT]

2 Different bodies. So..NO

The 66 B body Charger was a different body than the same year Belvedere. The K members are the same for the V8s. The 68-69 B body line used similar K members. The 70-72 B bodies used the same K members despite the body and chassis redesign. The 73 went to the isolated design with the squishy rubber spacers between the frame and K member.

The 71-72 B bodies used the same K members despite the body and chassis redesign.  

Kerndog,  71-72...Not 68-70 bodies.

[ACUDANUT]

I have a 69 charger with a 71 k frame. The 69 k frame was damaged & all my spare parts are 71-74. It bolted up & the only difference I know of is on a 68/69 sway bar mounts in front on k frame. 70-72 sway bars mount in the middle of the k frame. Also 68/69 LCA sway bar links mount on the far end & 70-72 mount in the closer to the middle of the LCA. I used the 71 k frame, 71 LCA & 71 sway bar. Also used 71 disc brake assembly on my 69. I did use the 69 steering gear box, linkage & idler arm. The 69 steering column line up, it's been that way sin 2003 & works great. So a 71 k frame will work on a 70 & the 70 LCA will bolt up on the 71 k frame. I hope this helps.

Good info. Thanks

[Kern Dog]

2 Different bodies. So..NO

The 66 B body Charger was a different body than the same year Belvedere. The K members are the same for the V8s. The 68-69 B body line used similar K members. The 70-72 B bodies used the same K members despite the body and chassis redesign. The 73 went to the isolated design with the squishy rubber spacers between the frame and K member.

The 71-72 B bodies used the same K members despite the body and chassis redesign.  

Kerndog,  71-72...Not 68-70 bodies.

i am still unsure of what you meant.
My point was that even though the outer body sheet metal looked quite different, the cars didn't change much in terms of the structure underneath. A 1966 B body can use a 72 B body K member, a 71 B body can use a 67 B body K member too. They do have some minor differences.
Here is what I have observed with standard V8 non Hemi cars:
1966-67 B body cars used a stud mounted idler arm.
1968-69 used an anti sway bar that was mounted to the outside of the K member. The idler arm mount was improved to the bolt through design.
1970-72 used a sway bar that passed through the K member.
All of them had identical mounting points to the frame rails.

[ACUDANUT]

Kern Dog, your right. I don't remember thinking clearly.  Too much Holiday Boozes . I'll shut up.

[Kern Dog]

No biggie, my pal. Sometimes we all have the right thoughts in mind but they get a little mixed up when typing them out. I often find mistakes in my stuff that I edit out before posting.
Happy Thanksgiving!

[375instroke]

'71 steering box mount has a different angle than '68-'70.  It would tilt the box down about 3.5 degrees, so your bump steer would change.  I think it's the same K-frame as E-body.