72-73 charger hood different?

[Wizard]

I have a 72 charger and looking to purchase a hood for it. Its nothing special just plain old 72 charger. Is a hood from a 73 charger the exact same body lines as 72 or is it different from a 72? Will it interchange?

Thnks,

Wizard

 

[drobertson]

They are interchangible from 1971-1974. Only major differences will be the cowl vents towards the rear of the hood.

 

[Nacho-RT74]

has being told there is a SMALL difference in front inner frame to accomodate better the front bumper fender to bumper braces, but nothing to worry. The major difference is as mentioned on vent cowl grilles and doesn't make anything to the body lines


despite the buldge, the insert or plain look... these are the configurations of the grilles on hood

1st half 71

second 71 half and all 72

73

74 ( no grilles )

 

[Nacho-RT74]

Just as an interesting note

Has being found 73 hoods with the provision for the N96 hood ( which wasn't an option on 73 )... probably a dealer replacement available allong 70 decade, or also a late 72 production dealer piece including already the 73 configuration, like second 71 half did with 72 configuration.

 

[ODZKing]

Yes, there is a difference. Does it matter, YES.
The front lip on the hoods is different 71-2 to 73-4. If you can't do body work then it may not work.
I found that since I have a 71 Super Bee hood on mine and had to leave the bumper supports off (I eventually modified them) as that lip is much longer on the earlier hood. Going the other way, not sure. Prolly not a problem. Will it work, yes. But to say there is no difference is not correct.
74 hood has no cowl vents, 73 hood has a few cowl vents and 71-2 has vents across the cowl.

 

[ODZKing]

You see how the lip goes all the way across and the braces (which are not long enough to go on a 73-4) are off to the side.
On 73-4 hoods that fron lip is 3 inches shorter on each side. If left, it will hit the braces on the later years and the hood will not close.

 

[drobertson]

Will it work, yes. But to say there is no difference is not correct.

Where did any of us say there are no differences?

 

[Nacho-RT74]

Where did any of us say there are no differences?

Right Bob! We never told there were not differences, and In fact I mentioned it. I couldn’t tell where exactly was that difference because I have not dealt with it myself but is a fact there is not differences on body lines itself

 

[Wizard]

Right Bob! We never told there were not differences, and In fact I mentioned it. I couldn’t tell where exactly was that difference because I have not dealt with it myself but is a fact there is not differences on body lines itself

Thanks for all your help guys. I will just stick with buying a 72 hood for my 72 charger.

 

[Montclaire]

Wizard, your inbox is full. Do you have a clean 73 hood? Will trade you a 72 for it. I am near Scranton, will meet you halfway.

 

[Nacho-RT74]

Thanks for all your help guys. I will just stick with buying a 72 hood for my 72 charger.

You can if you want for correctness... that’s nice but to fit the 73 as far I can tell you won’t have any problem! He problem could be the other way around ;) and if that’s the case, easy to solve as ODZking pointed out.

 

[Tim Chavez]

Basically 71-72 interchangeable with ease
73-74 interchangeable with ease. But a 71 hood on a 73 or vise versa you will have to do a bit of shaping to make it work

 

[Wizard]

Wizard, your inbox is full. Do you have a clean 73 hood? Will trade you a 72 for it. I am near Scranton, will meet you halfway.

I don't have one for sale. Guy on face book has a 73 hood for sale for $300.00 I can give you his info if you want. What would you need for your 72 hood? I know the inbox is full thinking of going Gold

 

[Kernel Sanders]

I had a 71 superbee hood on my 74 and had no issues with fitment

 

[ODZKing]

Where did any of us say there are no differences?

Sorry, should have said hood vents are not the only differences:
[Only major differences will be the cowl vents towards the rear of the hood.]
But the point is if you can not do metal work, it is an issue for 73-4 cars. I found out the hard way after everyone said 'oh yeah, no problem'.
Then I purchased the 71-2 supports that everyone said would work and do not, they're too short if you keep the space in between the bumper and fenders. Those supports can not be left off as if they are, the bumper sags forward after a while.

 

[drobertson]

But a 71 hood on a 73 or vise versa you will have to do a bit of shaping to make it work

That has not been my experience. Some parts might need changed around between years to make things line up, but metalwork should not be required at all.

 

[Tim Chavez]

by shaping i was mostly meaning the latch mechanism doesnt line up perfectly.

 

[Nacho-RT74]

Then I purchased the 71-2 supports that everyone said would work and do not, they're too short if you keep the space in between the bumper and fenders. Those supports can not be left off as if they are, the bumper sags forward after a while.

Woah! Big mistake from whoever told that. They attach way diff to the bumper than 73/74, even on different location. 71/72 fits outer to the bumper. That’s why the hood inner lip is able to be wider on 71/72 hoods

 

[Nacho-RT74]

by shaping i was mostly meaning the latch mechanism doesnt line up perfectly.

aligment is specific from car to car once is assembled, so if the striker is bended or located couple of mms diff than your old one... or the bolts to the hinges, won't line up anyway so is not because THE HOOD is "diff" at all

 

[Montclaire]

Wizard, I've seen the one for $300. More than I want to spend right now. I have access to two 72 hoods, will check on condition but I think they are both good. Email me montclairemotors at yahoo. I am waiting for the AMD hoods to come out to free up some flat hoods. haha