74 malibu resto update/question

by ziyatansu Thu Oct 26, 2017 2:07 pm

malibu resto

by Podor Thu Oct 26, 2017 3:38 pm

Lots involved, especially the rear. The quarter panels and rear frame are different, since the ‘73 didn’t have the 5 mph bumper. I think the only difference on the front is how the bumper shocks mount to the frame and the shocks themselves.

by Joe73 Thu Oct 26, 2017 4:14 pm

The front is simple. 73 is the first year of the 5 mph bumper up front and its shocks are 73 only. So if you get a complete 73 header panel, bumper with shocks and fillers, your good to go up front. 73 is also a one year only on the plastic front wheel wells but those dont have to be changed for your conversion.
As for the rear, you just need to cut the tail panel off a 73 and graft it onto your 74. Its a good amount of work. Make sure you get the trunk latch as well since they are different. As for the 73 rear bumper, it doesnt have the 5 mph shocks and its mounting brackets bolt to the sides of the 73 only frame. It all can be done but the rear end work is quite substantial.

Heres some pics of the rear section of my 73 frame.

74 malibu resto update/question Rearfr10

74 malibu resto update/question Rearfr10

74 malibu resto update/question Rearfr11

74 malibu resto update/question Rearfr12

74 malibu resto update/question Rearfr13

74 malibu resto update/question Rearfr14

by bigredlaguna Thu Oct 26, 2017 9:04 pm

The trunk lids are different as well. The latches are in different spots.

by Joe73 Thu Oct 26, 2017 9:26 pm

bigredlaguna wrote:The trunk lids are different as well. The latches are in different spots.

Is the lid itself different? I thought it was a difference in the latch in the trunk that was different due to the different tail panel.

by fasrnur Thu Oct 26, 2017 9:30 pm

You'll need the rear bumper along with the gas tank and filler tube and lic. plate holder.

by fasrnur Thu Oct 26, 2017 9:32 pm

I believe your correct Joe. The trunk lid should be the same with the latch being different.

by JF74chevelle Thu Oct 26, 2017 10:31 pm

ziyatansu wrote:hey everybody,

was wondering is it possible to replace the front and back ends of a 74 malibu (including taillights, grille and headlights) with
the ones of a 73 chevelle. Basically converting it to look like a 73 chevelle. have been looking for parts online but couldn't find anything substantial. help a brother out! thx

Swapping the nose takes an hour but the rear. Takes cutting and fabricating

by bigredlaguna Fri Oct 27, 2017 9:26 am

Joe73 wrote:
bigredlaguna wrote:The trunk lids are different as well. The latches are in different spots.

Is the lid itself different? I thought it was a difference in the latch in the trunk that was different due to the different tail panel.

I have one of each. I'll do a direct comparison, but the latch is the main thing I was talking about from memory.

by clanceman427 Fri Oct 27, 2017 9:53 am

I also believe the trunk floors are different 73 vs. 74 because the 73's didn't need the larger bumps to clear the hydraulic cylinders like the 74's do. So, you'd also have to find a way to resolve that mismatch.

by clanceman427 Fri Oct 27, 2017 10:04 am

I believe rear side marker light placement is ALSO different, I think they raised the position slightly in 1974-probably not a big deal for most, but just pointing out yet another difference to consider.

by Joe73 Fri Oct 27, 2017 10:56 am

Kevin is correct. The trunk pan is a 73 only and the side marker light was moved a bit.

I just checked my GM parts manual from 1974 and it lists a part number for the 73 trunk skin and another number for the 74 skin. Structure is the same. I bet its safe to assume the difference between the 73 and 74 skins is that 73 had holes for the Chevelle emblem. The latch area has to be different because of the different tail panel used in 74.

by pila Fri Oct 27, 2017 12:17 pm

Seems like a lot of work involved !! Very Happy

I probably shouldn't say that though, after a body-off project !! Very Happy

by Joe73 Fri Oct 27, 2017 12:33 pm

If I had a clean 73 tail, I'd have no problem tackling it. But if I'd had to Piece the Parts together, I would pass on that job.

by fasrnur Sat Oct 28, 2017 1:42 pm

I forgot about the floor pans being different. That could be because of how the filler neck comes in between the two years.

by ziyatansu Sun Oct 29, 2017 10:06 pm

by bigredlaguna Mon Oct 30, 2017 5:30 pm

If you want to keep the budget in check, then forget about doing the conversion of the taillights. Unless you know how to do the work yourself. Even then, you are looking at some time to do the work.

by ziyatansu Fri Apr 24, 2020 8:13 am

hey everyone.. hope everyone is safe. Little update on our 74 chevelle: the body and chassis has been fixed and rust-proofed. The body has the primer on and waiting to be painted.

I have a few questions about the conversion to 73.

So if I end up finding a clean 73 tail and nose I think there are slight changes to the body that need to take place too right?

I am attaching a picture to explain what I mean.

by ziyatansu Fri Apr 24, 2020 8:14 am

by ziyatansu Fri Apr 24, 2020 8:20 am

So - when the rear panel of the 74 is removed - the rear panel of the 73 doesn't cover the whole area. Seems to me that there is going to be a gap in the rear corners (indicated with red lines on the 73) how do I solve this problem?

by bigredlaguna Fri Apr 24, 2020 12:10 pm

It is not simply the outer sheetmetal that needs to be changed. The inner structure that the tail lights mount to must be removed from a non damaged car. The entire piece, all the way across. The trunk lid must also be swapped, the outer contour for the lights may be close but also different enough to require obtaining a new lid. That is why the entire structure piece must be replaced, because the latches are in different locations between the two years. After all that, the frame ends and bumper hardware must be cut from the 73 and welded on to the 74. Fuel filler neck and trunk floor contour must be changed.

Basically, remove the trunk lids from both cars and back them into a giant band saw and cut everything off from the marker lights back.

by Limey SE Fri Apr 24, 2020 3:00 pm

As Bigredlaguna stated you will need this much from the donar car

74 malibu resto update/question 94259912

by ziyatansu Fri Apr 24, 2020 4:34 pm

understood. a lot of work involved and I would need a clean donor car. I might pass Surprised

thanks!

by Limey SE Fri Apr 24, 2020 5:15 pm

It can be done I sold both of them Tail panels pictured to People that are doing that same thing

by ziyatansu Fri Apr 24, 2020 6:44 pm

hmmm.. Where do you suggest I look? (also need the nose ofc).

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