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R/T Grill Emblem Install on 2017 Charger R/T

16K views 8 replies 8 participants last post by  Cazca  
#1 ·
We recently traded our 2015 Chrysler 300S for a brand spanking new 2017 Dodge Charger R/T Premium in Octane Red. And best of all, my wife loves it.

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This R/T Premium is loaded. It's got all kinds of stuff even our 300S didn't have. But there is one thing missing. Fiat/Chrysler quit putting the R/T emblem on the front grill of most Chargers back in 2015 or there about. Only the Road & Track appears to have retained the R/T grill emblem.

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All the rest of the Charger R/T's just have the Dodge emblem in the grill.

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There's a chrome R/T emblem on the truck lid. But that's it.

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Not sure why Fiat/Chrysler did this. But luckily, many Charger R/T owners are already on this one and there's even a video showing how to change it. Here's a link:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=2015+Dodge+Charger+R/T+Grill+Emblem+Install

This video was very informative but I didn't like the way the guy never really got good access to the back of the grill to properly change out the emblem. So I went a different way.

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First, I odered the correct emblem from Mopar. The part number is 68227442AB. I got mine from an eBay seller for about $35 USD. As I always say, "Good things come in Mopar packages".

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Next I removed all the push pins from the cover over the radiator. This cover WILL NOT come off this way. It's fastened to the front bumper facia from the underside with push nuts. And the only way to separate the fascia from this cover is to remove the fascia. However, removing the push pins lets the cover move a bit and that is helpful.

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After removing the push pins, I popped out the little center cover.

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To be able to get my hand behind the grill, the easiest way I found was to remove the hood latch. There's only two bolts with 10mm heads to remove and there's one electrical plug for the latch sensor. I used a 1/4 inch drive ratchet and deep well 10mm socket.

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After loosening the two latch bolts and then removing the right one, the latch will pivot up on the right side and removal of the latch sensor plug is easy.

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There's a small wiring harness clipped to the bottom of the latch. I popped it off with a trim tool.

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Next, I lifted the left side of the radiator cover and moved the latch out of the way without having to remove the latch release cable. I used paper shop towels to protect from scratching. It should be noted that I couldn't find a good way to place a fender cover over the fascia and still reach the items I needed to. So I lined the painted surfaces with shop towels and was very careful. Nobody wants a scratch on the nose of their brand new car.

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Now there's room to get my and arm behind the grill. This is what the guy in the video should have done.

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Here are the two push nuts that must be removed on the Dodge emblem. I tried a plastic trim tool but ended up using a very small metal v-grooved pry tool made to remove push nuts.

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I also took some small cutters and clipped the excess from the plastic posts on the Dodge emblem. This made the push nuts easier to remove and reduced the chance of prying too hard against the grill. And the Dodge emblem is still reusable if needed

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The new R/T emblem also had two posts on the back for push nuts. But the posts are in different positions and this is also another posts that acts as a clip.

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While is using at least one different hole on the grill, it's a perfect fit. It just kind of snaps in place.

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#2 ·
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Even though the new R/T emblem snaps in in place, push nuts are still required to secure it. The original push nuts were not reusable, but I got some new ones. I wanted to use the twist type because they are easier to remove later if needed, but the posts were not long enough to use them. For the regular push nuts, I had to resize them with an ice pick to work on the R/T emblem posts. The OEM push nuts must be a special size. If I had known I needed to do this, I would have ordered to OEM push nuts when I ordered the emblem. But these from the parts store worked fine once resized.

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Here's a shot with the new push nuts installed. I held the emblem from the front side and pushed the push nuts on with a small socket. It's nice and tight just like from the factory. The guy in the video used tape and glue because he could not reach the back of the grill like this.

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And there it is, looking great as it should. :dance2:

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I hope we end up really liking this new Charger R/T. My wife went through a lot of health issues last year and she needed something fun and fast to help keep her feeling young. And I think this car may fit the bill. :)

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