Checking for rust … common areas?

Idaho said
Not hard to turn into a 73. Parts will bolt on. Add in a bumper and hood latch support. In fact I think I have all those parts. If you're set on building a 73... most consider the 72 front end to be more attractive. So you're set on a 4 door? The interior may differ some from 73 to 74 as well.

I like the '72 front end more as well, however I'm looking to build a clone of my Dad's old car, which was a '73 more door. Trimmed out like this white '72, with a vinyl roof.

Idaho said
The distance is more reasonable but you must be prepared to walk away if its not as advertised and eat the loss of time and travel expense. It's easy to make an unwise compromise after driving 5 hrs with a trailer. Talk a lot to the owner and get much more specific on dings and rust. Pics never show it all. Be sure to get there in good daylight with a plan for how to look underneath.

3300 lb car + 2100lb trailer towed by my Ranger (5600lb rating) over Snoqualmie might be pressing my luckespecially without a trailer brake controller. A tow dolly would be more manageable from a capacity standpoint. I imagine I'd need to pull the driveshaft to make that work though.

Idaho said
Edit: one more thing, kinda funny I think... lotsa guys want to turn 73 up Dusters into 72 down... should not be hard to get rid of the 72 front end.

Here's an example I stumbled upon in new postings:

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=206498

I was also thinking about that. I might be able to offset some expense, or even just do a parts trade. With any luck, differences in interior parts would be direct bolt-in between '72 and '73. I'd be doing some custom work on the dash though. (real wood for example).