can somebody educate me a little

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trudysduster

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I have several a bodies. 1976 Duster, 1976 Dart Sport and have owned several other 73-76 Dusters and Dart Sports lately but now I just bought a 1970 Duster that needs to be redone. I know these are a little different than the 73-76 Dusters and Dart Sports. What other A bodies are the parts compatible with this one. Is this one a stand alone or is it compatable with the 71-72 Dusters. I know I will need a steering column and a dash. Thanks, Bill
 
1970 models have a lot of one year only parts, steering columns included.

Other years can work, it just depends on if you are going back original or to just whatever will work.
 
Really depends on your plans.

For example, if you want to do a 5x4.5” bolt pattern upgrade you can use all the 73-76 A-body suspension and brake parts. The 73+ large ball joint upper control arms will swap right over with the 73+ disk spindles. Or F/M/J body spindles for that matter.

Of course that’s not original, but most of the later mechanical parts are compatible if you swap the right parts.

Heck even a lot of the body parts are compatible. Most of the differences are cosmetic. Some aren’t, but again if you swap the right parts and aren’t concerned about originality you can interchange all kinds of stuff. My ‘74 Duster is now a ‘71 Demon clone, swapped the whole front clip over from a ‘71 (fenders, hood, grill, hood latch panel, bumper and valance). Changed the rear shock bumper out for a ‘70-‘73 piece, demon tail panel etc. You probably wouldn't want to switch your '70 over to a '76 front clip, but you could.

Just depends on what your plans are and how concerned about being “original” you are. The steering column and dash from a later car can be used, the dash frame will swap as a whole unit with all the later gauge stuff. Of course, you have to change the wiring to match because the plugs are not ordered the same. The steering column is a similar deal, you lose the '70 interlock stuff with a later column which is fine, but you'd have to sort out the connectors. The connectors themselves are the same for the most part, but the wires are not in the same places in the connectors.

I swapped my '74 over to a rallye dash, I used the '74 wiring but moved the wires in the connectors to match the '71 gauges. If you're motivated enough it can all be done.

Screen Shot 2020-01-27 at 11.33.21 PM.png
 
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Really depends on your plans.

For example, if you want to do a 5x4.5” bolt pattern upgrade you can use all the 73-76 A-body suspension and brake parts. The 73+ large ball joint upper control arms will swap right over with the 73+ disk spindles. Or F/M/J body spindles for that matter.

Of course that’s not original, but most of the later mechanical parts are compatible if you swap the right parts.

Heck even a lot of the body parts are compatible. Most of the differences are cosmetic. Some aren’t, but again if you swap the right parts and aren’t concerned about originality you can interchange all kinds of stuff. My ‘74 Duster is now a ‘71 Demon clone, swapped the whole front clip over from a ‘71 (fenders, hood, grill, hood latch panel, bumper and valance). Changed the rear shock bumper out for a ‘70-‘73 piece, demon tail panel etc. You probably wouldn't want to switch your '70 over to a '76 front clip, but you could.

Just depends on what your plans are and how concerned about being “original” you are. The steering column and dash from a later car can be used, the dash frame will swap as a whole unit with all the later gauge stuff. Of course, you have to change the wiring to match because the plugs are not ordered the same. The steering column is a similar deal, you lose the '70 interlock stuff with a later column which is fine, but you'd have to sort out the connectors. The connectors themselves are the same for the most part, but the wires are not in the same places in the connectors.

I swapped my '74 over to a rallye dash, I used the '74 wiring but moved the wires in the connectors to match the '71 gauges. If you're motivated enough it can all be done.

View attachment 1715460414

thanks
 
I have several a bodies. 1976 Duster, 1976 Dart Sport and have owned several other 73-76 Dusters and Dart Sports lately but now I just bought a 1970 Duster that needs to be redone. I know these are a little different than the 73-76 Dusters and Dart Sports. What other A bodies are the parts compatible with this one. Is this one a stand alone or is it compatable with the 71-72 Dusters. I know I will need a steering column and a dash. Thanks, Bill
Wow, Bill haven't seen ya on here in a while. Do you still have the Valiant?
 
Wow, Bill haven't seen ya on here in a while. Do you still have the Valiant?

Yes, I still have the 69 Valiant. I still have the 76 Duster. I sold the 73 Dart Sport last year. I had a guy offer me $18,000 cash for it and couldn't turn that down. I have a 1976 Dart Sport we bought couple of months ago and then we just bought a 1970 Duster last week we are starting to build. I also still have the 53 GMC rat rod also. I figured I needed to get on here and get updated on the difference in this one. How are you doing.
 
Yes, I still have the 69 Valiant. I still have the 76 Duster. I sold the 73 Dart Sport last year. I had a guy offer me $18,000 cash for it and couldn't turn that down. I have a 1976 Dart Sport we bought couple of months ago and then we just bought a 1970 Duster last week we are starting to build. I also still have the 53 GMC rat rod also. I figured I needed to get on here and get updated on the difference in this one. How are you doing.
I'm good glad to see you back
 
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