Has anyone installed a 1971 grille in a 1972 CHALLENGER?

[TIMINATOR]

I have a 1972 "frowning" grille Challenger, has anyone installed the earlier "non frowning" grille?
Bolt in? Minor or major surgery? Are the bumpers the same?
My bumper has a not so minor dent anyway. Anyone make a fiberglass front bumper? Does anyone have a rear deck lid "ducktail spoiler in stock for sale?
The last time I checked they were on back order. Who makes a high quality unit?
How about the rear "gills" behind the door?
I'm trying to spend cash now, and start working on it when I have all the parts.
TIMINATOR

 

[terrywalker]

1971 Challenger grilles are very hard to find. A 1970 grille is much easier. Both require changing to the 1970/71 front fenders to allow an easy headlight installation. Headlight bezels are required for 70/71 grille. Changing of the fenders requires different side marker lights and wiring harness. A 72 bumper will work but if you're getting a better bumper, may as well get the right bumper. a 71 requires an upper grille/latch support. A 70 requires some different brackets than a 72 front end. This is a quick rundown. I have a 72 Challenger I'm changing over to a 70 front end. I've added the R/T hood since this photo. This was just a fitting of the parts I have.
Terry W.

 

[Challenger RTA]

I would take this route. https://www.yearone.com/Product/challenger-cuda/gr723 I seen nos 71 grills starting at 6K. I have one with bezels 10k might pry it from my hands might.And I mean might. By no means I don't need the money.

 

[Challenger RTA]

Now you guys got me thinking. For less then 1k. Do I get a 70 grill and put it in. Then I have 2 71 grills that I know she will sell with the car,over my dead body.

 

[Challenger RTA]

Now I think about it. I had a 70 grill and sold it for $50 in the mid 80's. With bezels. Unreal!

 

[Xcudame]

For fiberglass parts, I've have gotten very satisfactory parts from Unlimited:

https://www.up22.com/

I know some don't like the 72-74 "sad mouth" grille, but it's kinda cool because it's unique. If you go with the "scoops", I'd go with the 71 grille as the scoops were 71 only.

 

[TIMINATOR]

Thanks for all the info everyone!
I'm not gonna change the fenders, but I will weld up the side marker lites, I do on most of my old stuff.
Time to figure out what plan B is...
I'm not a fan of the "sad face."
But I built the car back in the 90s for the customer and the price was right. I got the built 440/727 that's in the car, and a stroker 360/904, 3.90s, and the 4.10s in it, and a lot of other stuff too.
In my spare time I am machining up a 5xx alum headed roller motor. When I sonic the block I will decide how big the bore will be, and block rock it halfway up or mebbie more...My goal is 9 something on the motor, and 8 anything on the bottle. Comp is grinding me a custom solid roller, and time permitting, I have to port the heads yet too.
TIMINATOR

 

[terrywalker]

Just remember if you decide to put a 70 grille in a 72 fender, you have to weld in the 70/71 headlight bucket assemblies to the fenders to make it work.
Terry W.

 

[TIMINATOR]

Thanks again, but it sounds like more work and cash than I was hoping. I guess I'll just concentrate on making it fast.
TIMINATOR

 

[terrywalker]

I agree it is probably more work and money than it's worth. I had the 70 grille ( 3 of them actually), headlight bezels, fenders, braces, R/T hood, etc. already so it is costing me nothing to switch from the 72 front end and my car was missing the entire front clip anyway, so... Enjoy your car.
Terry W.