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Why lump the 71-74's together?

I think the main reason is 71-74 are also called 3rd generation b body's and they also share some of the same parts
Like glass and specific panels.
So it's easier to lump them together
 
Technically, ’71-74’s are in fact the fourth generation of the Chrysler B-body platform. ’71-74 Dodge Chargers are the third generation of Dodge Charger only.
 
So far everyone has been referring to Dodge Chargers.
Look at a 71-71 Plymouth B body 2 door, and a 73-74 Plymouth B body 2 door.
Completely different styling between the two.
The only bolt on exterior body panel that can be moved between 71-72, and 73-74 is the trunk lid, and it even has differences. Every other exterior panel is different.
Virtually nothing ahead of the windshield interchanges between a 71-72 or a 73-74.
Not the exterior sheet metal, not the inner sheet metal, not the frame rail, K frame, or suspension. On a 71-72 The upper control arms mount to the frame rail. On a 73-74, they mount to the K frame. Yes, the 73-74's evolved from the 71-72, but they are not the same car.

My point is the 71-72 B bodies have their own styling, engineering and followers. The 73-74 B bodies have their own unique styling and engineering, and their own followers.
I think it would be beneficial to the fans of all these cars to have sections devoted to the two groups. That's all.
 
Fenders are not the same. Not even close. the wheel opening is totally different.

I'm not saying they are the same! I'm saying they interchange and will fit perfectly from outside matching with all body lines, parts etc... The wheel opening diff is just about 1.5" height, hard to notice if you don't have them side to side or if your eyes are sharp enough being aware about the difference.

the fitting differences are related to radiator core support shape, and thats't all. If you don't open the hood, I bet will be REALLY hard to notice you have a 73 fender on a 72.

and of course, sidemarker for 71!

I'm agree with you the isolation system sets a diff suspension setup in many ways between them, but that's all. Just parts related with front frame rails ( except firewall ) are the bigger differences.

Quarters and doors are diff, so do the 67/76 Darts with extreme facelifts on front and rear clips, but 71/72 and 73/74 are soft facelifts which still can be identified on same design and shape being one generation ( or one and a half LOL )

its a mix of things
 
if you back look thru the different generations of b bodys
the only thing that seems to be the same or consistent
thru out a generation is the windshield and rear window (the exception is the aero cars)
 
actually the firewall is what sets everyone of the diff generations, because windshields changes between 2 and 4 doors ( usually ) and still can be same generation
 
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They are E-bodies from the rear floor pans forward aren’t they? Or are E-bodies really B-bodies in disguise? T-bar cross member and rails are interchangeable 71-2 B with 70- 70-4 E. Front floor pan I think too.
 
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The E body is based on B body size. They were create to get a Pony car able to be Big Block cars ( Hemi included ) without sacrifice steering pump and brake boosters, where A bodies weren't able.

then next gen B body got parts of E.
 
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My take on this ? Much adoo 'bout nothin'. Even year to year, there were changes. Sometimes even within the year. But, the segments of the Mopar vehicles are pretty much generalities, with the commonalities more prevalent than the differences.
 
just for the sake of clarification, I have physically bolted on an entire front clip including doors off a 73 charger on to a 72 charger. only the keen eye or the knowledgeable would notice the bigger front wheel openings and the body lines on the doors with no breaks in the middle. a couple of fender bolt holes didn't line up but that was it. using the 72 charger bumper brackets , it was a done deal. the rear quarter extensions do not interchange, but everything else body wise does. on the flip side , I used the entire suspension with all the big brakes , torsion bars , k frame and sway bars front and rear off a big block 77 charger SE on a 74 charger which incidentally , is just about all you can swap from the later b body onto a 73 or 74.
 
I'd argue that except for a very few items (bumpers for one) all the same things I noted apply to Plymouth as well.

IMO a better argument could be made to separate 66/67 from the 66-70 group.

Aside from the very basic uni-body and suspension and maybe a handfull of others, NOTHING interchanges.
(although I think the doors might actually bolt on)
 
In post #2 it appears that although the doors may bolt on, the upper shelf at the quarter junction is concave on the 73 vs the earlier model which appears convex. Would they really match up? It does not look like it at all to me from those two pics.
 
Anyone want to experiment with putting together a "morph" of some kind, like using 1971, 1972, 1973, and 1974 parts all together on a project car? Would be interesting to see the different combinations one could put together with various doors, fenders, hoods, trim, etc.

(I for one have put '70 Superbird "Plymouth" callout, '71 rear bumper/tail lights/valance, '71 side marker lights, '71 backlight louvers, '71 factory color (Bahama Yellow) '72 Road Runner front grille, '73 NOS Carter BBD carburetor, '73 NOS charcoal canister, on my '72 Satellite Sebring Plus--that's a start!)

morph1.jpg morph2.jpg
 
I really don't see why the 71-72 B bodies and the 73-74 B bodies are lumped into one category. The 71-72 is a totally different car than a 73-74. The 73-74's are a transitional design that kind of resembles the 71-72, but has more in common with the 75-79 B bodies as far as suspension and driveline goes.
Why not give the 71-72 their own section, and the 73-74 their own?
66-67 have their own section, and they have more in common with the 68-70, than the 71-72 and 73-74's do.
Personally I think it should be categorized as pre crash standards and post crash standard muscle cars. I love 71-72's but after that I'd be swapping front ends, not that they're bad but really loose a lot of the muscles look.
 
I have a 72 and some 73 and 74 doors....

I've actually got a 73 Roadrunner hood on my 72 right now.

It fits, and closes but would need header panel fab work due to the Plymouth having one and the Dodge not. The vertical curve of the fender to hood gap is also slightly different.

I also have 74 fenders.

However, I have much more pressing things to occupy my time at the moment.
 
In post #2 it appears that although the doors may bolt on, the upper shelf at the quarter junction is concave on the 73 vs the earlier model which appears convex. Would they really match up? It does not look like it at all to me from those two pics.

will match with fender and rear it can even close the doors BUT upper rear part of 73/74 doors are around 1" or 1.5" lower. Quarter glass opening is higher on 71/72s. That's what makes upper door panels can't be interchanged either.

Quarter shape is softer curve being higher cut on 71/72s than 73/74s. Softer on both sides of the junction, convex and concave

thats what I can say about Chargers, can't say it about Plymouths.
 
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I don't want to get into a battle on this but I have to agree on Fm3Dart on this. Yes technically the 71-74 B's share a lot but the also don't. The 71-72 also share alot with the 71-74 E bodies but we don't call our cars E bodies. I'm gonna speak just on the Plymouths. The 71-2, other than windshield, roof, interior and a few other pieces, are in my opinion a different breed than the 73-4. The integrated front bumpers are gone, the front suspension completely different and appearance they are their own cars. The Chargers hold more of the same shape but the 71-2 Plymouth is very different that the 73-4. I would be o.k. with the two years having their own section. And I will go right back to the 71-2 share the same front half (minus cowl height) as the E bodies, but we don't call our cars E's. Just my opinion.
 
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