73 doors on my 70

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1mean7Ddart

1mean7Ddart

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Have been pondering for some time now on how to get rid of the quarter window on my 70 Dodge dart. I picked up a set of demon doors thinking I could drop in 73 dart glass with no problem, well I was wrong it has completely different hardware. So I bought a set of 73 doors to swap out the hardware and glass. but now looking at it, It seems easier to make a 73 door look like a 70 door.
 

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Now that's an idea!!!

As you found out, its better not to try to swap out window and door hardware with different year doors.

But I didn't realize those upper panels would be that easy to swap over. Didn't the window crank location change too though? Could be a problem when you go to install the door panels...

I'm definitely watching your progress. My '74 Duster is on its way to turning into a '71 Demon, and the door uppers would be a nice touch.
 
Why would you want to get rid of the wing windows? I really miss the wing windows on my Duster and all the newer cars.Yes it maybe easier to convert the 73 doors...
 
The 2-door hard top and 4-door sedan have a taller A-pillar (and windshield) than the fastback. Also, the profile of the vent-less glass in the Duster/Demon is different than the sedan and hardtop. i.e. The transition from the vertical run to the horizontal run of the glass edge is curved on the vent-less, angular on the body styles with PVW (pivoting vent windows). The window gaskets on the body are different, too.
 
I using a set of 73 dart hardtop doors as my starting point and adding the the top and bottom inner section of the demon door for the 70 look
 
Dont forget yoiu have to switch to the 73 up chrome in the upper door frame that the upper weatherstriping is attached to for the window to sit properly
 
72bluNblu said:
Now that's an idea!!! As you found out, its better not to try to swap out window and door hardware with different year doors. But I didn't realize those upper panels would be that easy to swap over. Didn't the window crank location change too though? Could be a problem when you go to install the door panels... I'm definitely watching your progress. My '74 Duster is on its way to turning into a '71 Demon, and the door uppers would be a nice touch.
Click to expand...

Yup it was a nice surprise to pop it on that easy.. As for the window crank it's just going to have to stay in place. I'm make some nice door panels
 
Progress on the bottom
 

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Looking good so far! :thumbup:

What's your plan for the inner door handle?
 
68383GTS said:
Why would you want to get rid of the wing windows? I really miss the wing windows on my Duster and all the newer cars.Yes it maybe easier to convert the 73 doors...
Click to expand...

I'm with you...I like 'em...and now miss them..
 
it all most going to look identical to a 70 door. mounted the handle on a flat spot inline with the window crank and shimmed it out so the window regulator wouldn't hit it. The rod was just trimmed and bent to hook to the handle.
 

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1mean7Ddart said:
Why? Why not?! Mainly because i like how open the 73 and up darts look... This is where I got the idea from
Click to expand...

I like the wing vents myself, but for functionality not looks. I think they look better without them, much cleaner.

And its your car, so you do what makes you happy. If you're used to new cars, then the wing vents aren't something you'd likely use anyway.

I'm interested because I am turning my '74 Duster into a '71 Demon tribute. The rear metal sail panels are easy enough to install, but then they won't match the doors. So I'd love to see how it works out putting the metal panels on a later door, so I don't have to find a new set of early doors fully loaded with windows and hardware and in good condition. I'd thought about converting my doors, but didn't think I wanted to deal with the door handle and window crank location issues.

Since you're making such great progress, I may have to reconsider. Then I'd just have to find a ratty set of bare doors as donors for the interior metal trim parts.
 
Nice work. I was going to do some thing similar to that but decided to take the easy way out and picked up the correct door I needed from Crackedback.
 
Update: all done fitting , premiered the jams and bolted to the car! Pretty good if you ask me
 

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nice work,i had to give up on switching my doors on my my 73 dart,i wanted the vent windows. I thought it would be a direct swap I bolted on the 71 doors to my 73 body but couldn't close the doors because the windows wouldn't clear so doors wouldn't close .
 
Nice work. Think the door handle is in a different spot too. Should be easy to change them though if you still have them.
 
dodgeboy said:
nice work,i had to give up on switching my doors on my my 73 dart,i wanted the vent windows. I thought it would be a direct swap I bolted on the 71 doors to my 73 body but couldn't close the doors because the windows wouldn't clear so doors wouldn't close .
Click to expand...
Maybe changing the top window gasket to a 70 would help?
 
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