E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

Technical Shop => Reference Material => Topic started by: MoparsNBurnouts on May 15, 2021, 09:46:39 AM

Title: Grille Install?
Post by: MoparsNBurnouts on May 15, 2021, 09:46:39 AM
My '70 Challenger is completely together currently, I just got a new full grille assembly. I can't find any reference material about what all needs to be done to remove and install it. I'd rather know what to do first for the sake of time, and I don't want to damage anything because I will be selling my old one. Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Grille Install?
Post by: Mrbill426 on May 15, 2021, 09:47:35 AM
 :popcorn:
Title: Re: Grille Install?
Post by: Mrbill426 on May 15, 2021, 09:50:12 AM
I hear that... I broke my grill at the thin headlamp surround neck while removing it... :Thud: probably because of not using the proper sequence of disassembly  :clueless:


Quote from: MoparsNBurnouts on May 15, 2021, 09:46:39 AM
My '70 Challenger is completely together currently, I just got a new full grille assembly. I can't find any reference material about what all needs to be done to remove and install it. I'd rather know what to do first for the sake of time, and I don't want to damage anything because I will be selling my old one. Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Grille Install?
Post by: anlauto on May 15, 2021, 10:29:13 AM
I think first step would be to remove the bumper to make things easier  :alan2cents:
Title: Re: Grille Install?
Post by: RUNCHARGER on May 15, 2021, 10:37:36 AM
Yes: Carefully wrap bumper in rags and pull it off. I remember using waterpump pliers around those square nuts in the grille that the HL doors screw into to avoid wrecking the thin grille at that point.
Title: Re: Grille Install?
Post by: MoparsNBurnouts on May 15, 2021, 11:21:24 AM
OK, thanks guys. I'm starting now. What does HL stand for?
Title: Re: Grille Install?
Post by: MoparsNBurnouts on May 15, 2021, 11:22:40 AM
Oh, headlight? The doors through me off
Title: Re: Grille Install?
Post by: worthywads on May 15, 2021, 12:51:05 PM
I removed my argent grill last year and painted black and reinstalled without removing the bumper.
Title: Re: Grille Install?
Post by: anlauto on May 15, 2021, 04:03:43 PM
Quote from: worthywads on May 15, 2021, 12:51:05 PM
I removed my argent grill last year and painted black and reinstalled without removing the bumper.

I'm sure it can be done either way, I just it would be easier without the bumper in the way   :dunno:
Title: Re: Grille Install?
Post by: MoparsNBurnouts on May 16, 2021, 09:09:22 AM
Well, good news bros. You don't have to remove the bumper, just loosen it and slide it forward. Other than having to remove what I can only assume was 1,000 bolts; it was pretty easy. Unfortunately, my brand new grille isn't fitting. It seems the car may have been hit in the past. I think my only options are to cut the grille ends like the last owner apparently did on my old grille, or remove a couple shims from my fender...
Title: Re: Grille Install?
Post by: 340Challman on May 16, 2021, 09:56:31 AM
 :'( I hate it when that happens. I get so pumped up looking forward to the new piece looking great on the car, only to get beat to the ground discovering something like that. I hope you can come up with an acceptable solution. :console:
Title: Re: Grille Install?
Post by: MoparsNBurnouts on May 17, 2021, 09:03:18 AM
Yeah, this sucks a lot. How do you move the fender forward like a 1/2"?
Title: Re: Grille Install?
Post by: anlauto on May 17, 2021, 10:55:46 AM
Sounds extreme, do you have pictures of where and how it's not fitting ?
Title: Re: Grille Install?
Post by: MoparsNBurnouts on May 17, 2021, 11:52:26 AM
The right furthest bolt is in. This is the left furthest. If I push it down the fender hole is about 3/8" away from lining up. Please help!!
Title: Re: Grille Install?
Post by: anlauto on May 17, 2021, 12:08:33 PM
If it's a reproduction grill, it will need tweaking to fit, just bend the corner out more until it reaches, that area is all covered by the headlight bucket... :alan2cents:
Title: Re: Grille Install?
Post by: MoparsNBurnouts on May 17, 2021, 12:13:13 PM
Ok I'll try, thank you!
Title: Re: Grille Install?
Post by: MoparsNBurnouts on May 19, 2021, 04:33:23 PM
It worked! Thank you! Do you know how to get the hood spring lower? It's up too high after trying to undo that bolt in the middle of it. What is that bolt for? Also, how do you get the spring off?
Title: Re: Grille Install?
Post by: anlauto on May 19, 2021, 07:43:25 PM
Carefully bend the tab up slightly until the spring is loose, then turn the spring clockwise... :alan2cents:
Title: Re: Grille Install?
Post by: MoparsNBurnouts on May 21, 2021, 10:42:54 AM
Ok, I'll give it a try, thank you!
Title: Re: Grille Install?
Post by: MoparsNBurnouts on May 21, 2021, 01:27:26 PM
Here's a pic of my grille installed and my newly painted headlight bezels, the satin enamel matched perfectly with the grille. I also, restored the Challenger emblem, the R/T emblem is new though.