68 dart front end on 73

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Red383

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Anyone installed a 68 dart hood grill and front bumper on a 73 dart Swinger?

Really interested in what just swapping out that big old 73 front bumper would look like.

Thanks
 
anything is better then the beaker front end

but you need the fenders, hood and radiator supports

hey @72bluNblu got some input on this?
 
I believe the fender on the 73 are dimensionally the same as a 67-69. I know the hood length matches the fender length.
 
if i remember correctly, the headlight buckets need to be addressed, if you keep the stock fenders
 
I believe the fender on the 73 are dimensionally the same as a 67-69. I know the hood length matches the fender length.

Yes, that’s true. The overall dimensions are the same, it’s a Dart fender and you’re keeping a Dart front end so the fenders can actually stay.

But, the headlight mounting hardware is different, and so are the grille brackets and the latch panel mounting. I know guys that have converted 73+ fenders for use on the earlier cars before the earlier fenders were reproduced, so it’s totally doable. But it is a conversion, it’s not just a straight bolt on for the grille and brackets.

You’ll need the hood, grille, and latch support panel. You have a ‘73, so you should have the earlier style bumper mounts on the frame (non shock bumper). So you should be able to use the earlier bumper and brackets too. The relief for the bumper on the lower fender may be a little different though, so you’ll have to pay attention to that to make sure there’s no interference.

As for how it will look, it should look just like a ‘68 from the outside if you do it right. The tail will be the later style and you’ll have the later side markers, but really it should look mostly like a ‘68.
 
Thanks for the info. I actually don't mind the beak so much, but that front bumper just seems so large. I just got an AMD 67-69 Dart GTS hood in a trade, and it got me thinking about swapping it onto my 73. Maybe I will just try cutting down the factory bumper when I get to that point.

What I started with in 2012
IMG_0411.JPG


Where it currently sits with a 5.7 Hemi and 5-speed
1441.JPG
 
you know, chippie fooze would just take the stock 73 bumper mounts and cut and section them, get rid of that gap between the bumper and the car, and call it good
 
you know, chippie fooze would just take the stock 73 bumper mounts and cut and section them, get rid of that gap between the bumper and the car, and call it good
I though the same thing, maybe he can stop by my house and do that for me. :)
 
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If he does it for you it'll end up painted black and silver or black and orange...he doesn't seem to know any other paint schemes... :D


I’m ok with that as long as he is paying the bill!
 
If he does it for you it'll end up painted black and silver or black and orange...he doesn't seem to know any other paint schemes... :D
and put some wagon wheels on it
that boy has some talent, but i have never seen him install a decent looking wheel


however, my point was, the OP can cut and weld the bracket himself and that might get the look he wants
 
Anyone installed a 68 dart hood grill and front bumper on a 73 dart Swinger?

Really interested in what just swapping out that big old 73 front bumper would look like.

Thanks

Nice progress so far! If you're looking to sell the beak and the bumper, hit me up with a PM.

anything is better then the beaker front end
...

Here we go again.
I'm not going to say that "the beak" is the prettiest iteration of the A-Body but IMO, it has aged well and it's a unique design element that separates them from the more generic styling of the Duster/Valiant/Scamp of that era. Yep, '68s look better. No argument there but I would argue that the '70-'72 was just as ugly in its own ways. :)

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE all of them and I think they're nice designs...but they're just kinda utilitarian and incomplete looking.

It's fascinating how the B,C,E body cars had undeniably gorgeous styling. They clearly spent a large amount of money on these designs (pre 1974 MY anyway) where the A bodies (Barracuda not withstanding) were always a much more "quick and dirty design." They're not intended to be beautiful.
 
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