RSF Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Does anyone know how difficult/possible it is to convert the front end of a 72 to a 70? I am looking to buy a sweet restored 72 but prefer the 70 grille and headlight assembly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VE3HZZ Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 From what others have noted and have posted everything front of the firewall is different. The fenders rad support etc all were unique to the 70 so while it CAN be done it is not simply put on a new grille and bumper. Â But some may have already done it and chime in here. Â Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CKZ03 Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Your better off searching & buying a 1970 that your happy with, than making this conversion, just my opinion. You would have quite an expense swapping parts around, body & paint, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam (Bones) Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 fenders head light extensions head light bezels core support bumper wiring harness grill  Hmmm...did I forget anything??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black07ss Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 fenders head light extensions head light bezels core support bumper wiring harness grill  Hmmm...did I forget anything???  Lots of time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSF Posted January 26, 2013 Author Share Posted January 26, 2013 So what about 72 to 71? Or are all three too different? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
First Knight Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 To each his own but if the car has been restored I would leave it as is. Good luck if you do the swap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 So what about 72 to 71? Or are all three too different? Â That swap is easier than the swap to a 70 front end. Â You will need a 71 grille, 71 bumper, 71 fender extensions and wiring for the parking lights in the 71 bumper. I think that's all. It is still an expensive swap and does not add value to the car if you sell at a later date. Might actually make it worth less. Â I also prefer the 71 front end to the 72 but I'm going to keep my 72 how it is. I personally would not do this swap since I have to explain to every person that sees it and says "Nice 71 Monte" that it is a 72. Seems awkward to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigtankjones Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 I can be done. But you have to butcher the radiator support to move the headlights inward a few inches. When I bought my '70. It was in an accident back in the early '90's and they must of had a '72 parts car to take the parts from. so they made my '70 look like a '72. they used the whole front clip, interior door and rear panels and rear '72 trim above the rear bumper. I bought the fender extentions and grill from Leo. It can be done, but if you want it done right, like others have said, Find a 1970 parts car. I am in the process of changing my all back to the '70 sheet metal. I have just redid my '70 radiator support to install, and and picked up some other parts from members here to change everything back. Good luck in your process if you do change it. I prefer the '70-'71 frontend over the '72. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CKZ03 Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Man there's some 72 bashing going on here! If you do decide to convert it I would gladly buy all the ugly 72 parts you don't need Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigtankjones Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Man there's some 72 bashing going on here! If you do decide to convert it I would gladly buy all the ugly 72 parts you don't need Sorry Cory. I dont mean to pick on the '72. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cny first gen 71 Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Well we all know the 71 front end is the best You just cant beat the rectangular turn signals and that purty grill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbolt Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Well we all know the 71 front end is the best You just cant beat the rectangular turn signals and that purty grill. Â Yep, the only thing purtier is the '72 front end! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stangeba Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Sorry but in ranking the three years, #1 71 then #2 72 then #3 70. The ft end was perfect in 71 then they had to mess with it. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam (Bones) Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 I rank them 1) '71 2) '70 3) '72 Â but I like the '70 interior best, but hey...that's just me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigtankjones Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 '70 '70 '70 '70. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve G Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 70 is the best, 71 and 72.. Or a 71 with a 72 bumper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VE3HZZ Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 '70 '70 '70 '70. Â Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CKZ03 Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 Ok then, my list goes like this  1 - 72 Monte . . . 96 - 78 Diesel Chevette 97 - Pacer 98 - Gremlin 99 - 71 Monte 100 - 70 Monte  Guess I will join that other club -  Last of the First Generation Monte Carlo Club (LFGMCC) aka the ugly 72's  Come on how can you guys really say this is ugly?   Maybe your just not seeing its inner beauty?  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam (Bones) Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
502ci Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 I like the 1969 Monte the best... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VE3HZZ Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 I like the 1969 Monte the best... Â Me too if I am being honest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jared Richey Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 I like the 1969 Monte the best... Â I prefer the 68, since it had the vent glass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigtankjones Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 Don't forget About the 1851 Monte Carlo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vince Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 By numbers my Monte was built in 1970, When I bought it I knew it had been wrecked the guy who sold it told me he had put a 71 rad support and a 71 fender. he also told me all the 71 parts were in the trunk. So having all the parts on hand i decided to convert it to a 71. This is how I found it. This is it now. Ignore the bumper that was an old off a chevelle  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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