72 vs 74 Duster rear sail panels

[zpsull01]

Will the metal rear sail panels from a 72 bolt into a 74 body? If they will, would the rear interior side panels work also?

I have a 74 duster that I’m collecting parts for. I have a good set of doors for both years. I would rather have the metal sails and door tops than the plastics from 74. I also have good usable interior panels from the 72.

 

[ventura highway]

Hello. Did you ever figure out if the metal sails would work on your 74? I have a 73, finding the plastic sails for a reasonable price is looking difficult.

 

[72bluNblu]

The metal sail panels can be used in the later cars, but there are some issues that you have to solve.

- you have to clearance the sail panels near the latch because the latch mechanism in the 73+ cars needs more space.

- you need to cover the area behind the metal panel. The original plastic sail panels cover all the way to the rear window, the metal panels are more of a quarter window surround than a sail panel

- you need to either buy 70-72 lower interior panels, modify the ones you have, or make your own. The metal panels don’t cover the lower interior area the same.

I run the earlier metal panels in my ‘74 Duster, let me find the thread where I covered some of the modifications. I needed new door panels anyway so I just bought those.

 

[72bluNblu]

Here’s a thread with some pictures of what I did

73-76 Dart/Duster Sail Panel conversion

 

[ventura highway]

This is great, thank you very much for the information and instruction. I might have to go this route when the time comes.

 

[72bluNblu]

No problem!

Yeah the plastic ones aren’t reproduced and 50 year old plastic is pretty brittle. Which also makes them hard to ship even if you find pair that’s not all busted up.

 

[ventura highway]

you are right. I'm waiting for a top door panel I bought last week to show up. Always something....
Really, thanks again!