'72 RR engine bay fender to cowl bars, do I need them?

[sco440]

First off I don't know their proper name and have only seen them on 1 '72 RR. They both bolt to a stud near the wiper motor and the other ends go diagonally to the fender bolts on either side. Questions.
1. Are they only on 72's
2. Are they body color or black, (i have only seen black)
3. What is their purpose?
4. Do I need them or can I leave them off?

 

[72Satellite440]

I used some from a C-body- almost same length-They do strengthen the fenders from movement at high speeds
http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=7018987&Main=7018780

"I find your lack of faith disturbing" Darth Vader-

 

[racedodge]

First off I don't know their proper name and have only seen them on 1 '72 RR. They both bolt to a stud near the wiper motor and the other ends go diagonally to the fender bolts on either side. Questions.
1. Are they only on 72's
2. Are they body color or black, (i have only seen black)
3. What is their purpose?
4. Do I need them or can I leave them off?

they are on all 71-74 b-bodies (probably up to 78, but dont quote me on that).

I have an extra set if you need it, pm me for details.

 

[moparmarks]

they are on all 71-74 b-bodies (probably up to 78, but dont quote me on that).

I have an extra set if you need it, pm me for details.

Nope, not on 71's and 72's are different than 73/4's
They are black
They do help controll fender movement

 

[dgraver]

I have a 72 rr GTX N96. When I got my car from the previous owner it did not have the bars, but it did have the stud and nut on the cowl. I saw the bars on the majority of other 71-74s and wanted them. I couldn't find them anywhere, including Carlisle, now it seems they are everywhere. I did get a set but they where from a Charger. It took a little trimming and bending for them to fit but they look good in my opinion. However, I really don't think they do anything besides look good. I haven't raced my car with them, so I can't say they wouldn't make a difference in other circumstances. they make make a difference but it's not real noticeable.

 

[moparmarks]

I have a 72 rr GTX N96. When I got my car from the previous owner it did not have the bars, but it did have the stud and nut on the cowl. I saw the bars on the majority of other 71-74s and wanted them. I couldn't find them anywhere, including Carlisle, now it seems they are everywhere. I did get a set but they where from a Charger. It took a little trimming and bending for them to fit but they look good in my opinion. However, I really don't think they do anything besides look good. I haven't raced my car with them, so I can't say they wouldn't make a difference in other circumstances. they make make a difference but it's not real noticeable.

If they were too long then they were for 73/4B.
No difference between Dodge and Plymouth, just between 72 and 73/4.
71 cowls don't have the stud.

 

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

Big block cars only originally in 72’, slight bend in right side right side mid strut for air cleaner/N96 air box clearance, also curved slightly near both fender bolt holes. As mentioned, 73-74’ struts are longer, without any bends and were on all b-bodies those years.
I’ve found decent correct 72’ versions to be very scarce today, unlike the later 73-74’ struts.

 

[moparmarks]

Big block cars only originally in 72’,

I never gave this any thought til now. So I looked through my pics and did find that most of my 72 318 cars did not have them. I did have had two 72 Coronet 318 cars that came with them. Both of my 340 RR's had them.
Have a Coronet wagon 400 without them. All of my other BB cars have/had them. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.
Yep the 72's are harder to find.

 

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

Because any significant engine repairs required the removal of the struts, they often would not be put back on. Used to see them in garbage cans and on work benches of fellow wrenches at the dealer shops I worked at back in the day. A very easy update back then too, to add them if you were in the know. After 40 years now, the surviving examples may not be an accurate representation. Defiantly recall them as big block only thing when these were new for 72’. They are listed in the 72’ parts cat without any additional application notes except a change in part number for the right strut for production beginning Dec 72’. Correction; Dec 71'

 

[moparmarks]

Ya alot of them were thrown out. You can usually see where they once had them or not on cars with original paint.
Wouldn't production in Dec72 be a 73 model??? Next year model production started in August.

 

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

Opps, Dec 71

Note the refenece to 2 door HTs.

 

[moparmarks]

Interesting. Do you know whats different between the two?

 

[moparmarks]

Man I need a 72 parts book. Have a 70/1 and 74. Also have a 68-75 crash parts but doesn't show alot parts.

 

[Bruzilla]

I took a 73 Roadrunner without the bars out on the Daytona Speedway back in January 1984. I had that 440 just about pegged but never noticed any issues with the fenders.

I did learn one thing - two words: CHIN SPOILER! A 73 at high speeds without one is one step away from a rolling pine box!

 

[machjim]

bars

from my experience the 72 cars had the bent bar on the pass side on both N96 and all big block cars..Ive seen straight bars on both sides of Chargers and 73/74 road runners..I have replaced this 73/74 air cleaner with the proper one since buying this car (equal size snorkles)....Anyone need a mint 73/74 air cleaner, freshly powdercoated??

 

[day1glo]

I have a pair of these rods in the parts pile stored in my motorcycle trailer for the winter. I assumed they came with the car, but mine is a 71 Sebring. Pretty sure they were straight. (must be from a Charger???) I was planning on using them, they look good.

 

[71ChallengerSE]

My SB 340 72 RR has them and they are the originals since new also a late build if that matters. They have the bends for the N96 eventhough I dont have it.