1974 Duster

[cosworth]

I have a 1974 Dodge Duster with a 318, this will be my first mopar build. My dad has a 72 Duster Twister and I like the front hood/grille much better than that of my 74 and am considering finding the parts and swapping.

Are the fenders the same between late and early model or will it be much more than just swapping a new hood/grille onto the car.

 

[cuda20]

Welcome to fabo. I believe you have to change the fenders.

 

[cosworth]

Thanks.

I guess the easiest thing to do would be to take the fender and match it against the 72 car.

 

[Dusterdude72]

I think you meant *plymouth duster* lol.....anyhow.

as for a swap for the 73 and up style down to a 70=72 style grille ....I am pretty certain the fenders are the same EXCEPT there are tabs on the 70-72 style that allow you to mount the upper portion of the grill,where as on the 73-76 style these tabs are non existent. I am sure fabing up some mounting brackets to work with your fenders would be much cheaper than getting another set of fenders.

also, the hoods are different, grills are different of course and bumpers are different. And I may be wrong but i think the bumper to grill filler panel may be different also.

alot of guys have done the swap so I am sure a quick search will probably get you some info on what others specifically have done.

welcome to fabo!

 

[cosworth]

Thanks for the information looking at online pictures the fenders look identical. Fabbing new tabs up shouldt be an issue. And i planned on swapping to early bumpers either way i cannot stand those bulky late model bumpers.

 

[Locomotion]

Since you'll be looking for the other different parts besides the fenders, your best bet would be find and swap the entire front clip. Niot sure how close the fenders are but marker lights are definitely different.

Luckily, all '74 Dusters and Dart Sports that I've seen have the conventional bumper brackets as opposed to the later "shock absorber" brackets which won't easily interchange.

 

[oldkimmer]

.............I changed mine to the 71 style........use ur fenders, but u need the rest off of the older car.....kim......

 

[Dusterdude72]

I believe even the marker lights are the same depending on year. 70-71 dusters had recessed marker lights where as 72 dusters use the the surface mounted marker lights just like 73-76 dusters did.

dart sports also share the same marker lights but they are mounted higher up in a different location. and they also have a swooped back wheel well where as the duster is a more symmetrical arch. dart sports also have an indented body line in the wheel well that the dusters do not have . a dart sport fender would mount up, but would still need the mounting tab i mentioned on top of the other differences i just pointed out.

 

[Purple Haze]

X2 On Oldkimmer and the fabbed brackets and your good to go. I would not worry about the marker lights as they will match the rear.

 

[cosworth]

So i can use my existing fenders but ill need grille,hood, bumpers from a 71-72.

Still better than an entire clip.

 

[Dusterdude72]

So i can use my existing fenders but ill need grille,hood, bumpers from a 71-72.

Still better than an entire clip.

yup, you can use your fenders, just need to fab up them tabs.

you will need a grill, a 69 valiant grille will fit (thats what i put in my 72 duster) a standard duster grill will work and also the more sought after and expensive duster shark tooth grill will fit.

you can use a bumper from a 70-72 duster....and Im not 100% but i think a valiant and scamp from those years also has the bumper you would need.

and you will need a hood from a 70-72 duster some valiants and scamps also have the hood you need.

other than that I think you also need the filler panel.

good luck

 

[cosworth]

Great information, I cant thank yall enough.

 

[cudamark]

The hood and front bumper on a '69 Valiant is the same as the '70-72 Valiant/Duster/Demon also.

 

[Dusterdude72]

The hood and front bumper on a '69 Valiant is the same as the '70-72 Valiant/Duster/Demon also.

demon shared a front bumper and hood with a dart. not the same as a duster.

 

[Stacked360]

I'm fairly sure the 70-72 fenders have different mounting tabs for the headlight bezels as well as the grill than the later fenders. Also the radiator support is a little different for clearance of the lights in the grill on earlier models.

 

[cudamark]

demon shared a front bumper and hood with a dart. not the same as a duster.

You're right, of course......I must of had the rear bumper on my mind!

 

[Dusterdude72]

You're right, of course......I must of had the rear bumper on my mind!

easy mistake lol. when I seen your post i nodded my head in agreement at first and it took a minute before it dawned on my that there was a difference lol

 

[cosworth]

How about the bumper brackets? If i go with early model bumpers will my brackets work or still be stuck out as they are now? These are not shock style brackets