73 Challenger restomod

[70chall440]

We all started somewhere. Hang in there.

[redo1973]

Hang in there man.  I had the same issues.  I'm not an expert and have not been that proud with my K-frame but it is functional.   I recommend practicing doing circles or welding washers.  The reinforcement plates for the strut rods were extra tricky and the metal responds to heat differently.  Have patience.  I second the suggestion with Gas.  I switched from flux core to CO2 enhanced and have had more success.  Far less grinding and minimal rework especially when you work with metal 18 gauge and less.

[IMNCARN82]

chuck the flux core. Way too dirty.    You have to get a MIG.   

[70chall440]

I believe he is using a MIG welder, just using flux core wire verses solid wire and Argon/Co2. Got to use what you have, the country was built using Arc welders and flux shielded sticks.. it will work, just doesn't look as pretty as solid wire and gas, but then that doesn't look as nice a TIG either..

[brads70]

We all started somewhere. Hang in there.

   everyone's first welds were not pretty! 

[dave73chally]

Front suspension fully disassembled and cleaned up. I welded the majority of the K member seams, getting better at it. Then started to paint some parts:







I have moog lower ball joints, energy suspension lca bushings, qa1 strut rods arriving by Friday. I also have the hotchkis front sway bar, uca's and steering rods sitting in my garage waiting. Plan on starting assembly this weekend.

[Challenger in NC]

VERY NICE! 

[70chall440]

  looks awesome, great work.

[soundcontrol]

Nice!. ...and you skipped the dipline on the LCA, like me, Alan is not gonna like that   

[70chall440]

good thing Alan doesn't own the car... (no offense Alan.. )

[Rdchallenger12]

With the rear window louver on. Will you be keeping the chrome trim on the front window since the back won't have any? Trying to visualize lol.

[dave73chally]

With the rear window louver on. Will you be keeping the chrome trim on the front window since the back won't have any? Trying to visualize lol.

The back will have it, it's just behind the louvers? Keeping all window trim but either having it done black chrome or hitting it with sem trim black.

[Rdchallenger12]

Ah okay. Thanks for the quick response.

[loco340cuda]

Nice work!  I'm about 3 weeks behind you on this same exact section of restoration on my car.   

[dave73chally]

So I got my qa1 struts and they are a metallic gold. Much different than the shade of gold I painted my lca's so now it looks just plain stupid.  :banghead:Might try to find a different shade but if I can't, should I go silver or black? What do
you think?