73 Road Race Cuda

[70chall440]

I looked at a lot of kits to include Cass's (Dr Diff); I decided to weld my caliper mounts to the rear end for simplicity sake. We will see how it works out.

I am slowly getting into the electrical; had to order a number of components. I will be making wiring diagrams/schematics to go along with my installation, I just have to decide how I want to do that (hand draw, power point or Visio).

I will try and remember to get pictures along the way, if there is something someone really wants to see, let me know.

[redo1973]

Fortunately my son works with electronics and is handling the my wiring.  He tried to follow the service manual but our power control center complicated matching it. I had issues with the labelled wires not being a sufficient variety.  He will also be drawing wire schematics.  Will you be trying to replicate the original wiring?  I have the schematics if you some references.  Best of luck.

[70chall440]

I am using a street rod type wiring harness, all the wires are labeled as most are these days. I am building a lot of the system myself because I have so many sub-systems to deal with.

Here is the battery blocks I just bought

Here is what I am starting with

Here is my electrical book, I have quite a few of these currently, one for engine, one for brakes/suspension, one for paint, one for electrical....

[70chall440]

I found this in my electrical pile, looks to be a 71 Challenger/Cuda console and perhaps cassette harness. Not sure what I am going to do with it.

[70chall440]

Progress has been slow for the most part, lots of preparing, ordering small parts, etc. I managed to get the master cylinder installed, all of the brake lines connected. I also installed the carpet mainly because I will be doing a lot of interior work and having the carpet in is much easier on the knees. I did get the trunk mat in and trimmed around all of my additions (battery and antenna).

On a bad note, while working on some electrical components (trunk light, which I am not going to use) I managed to knock my switch panel off of the bench and of course is landed on my rear window defroster switch breaking it into a number of pieces. I tried using Gorilla glue initially but it looked like crap and didn't really work. I then ordered a Bondic kit and used that; I have to say that it is very useful and every tool box should have a set. Basically you apply the liquid resin (fairly thick, doesn't run easily) and then hit is with the supplied UV light to harden it. Really useful for fixing plastic bits; however you should know that it isn't really a glue, if you apply it and then contour the part and in doing so remove the Bondic material it will fall apart, you must "V" out the joints and/or drill some small holes for the material to grip.

Going to install the headliner soon and get it out of the way, then back to the electrical.

[redo1973]

Nice progress.  These items have also slowed me down.  I am about to buy a headliner and sail panels.  I'm looking at Legendary black non-perforated but am unsure why there is a perforated option.  My original 1973 green headliner was non-perforated so I was thinking to just use that. style. Legendary also seems a bit more costly then Roseville. What product and style are you installing?

[70chall440]

Nice progress.  These items have also slowed me down.  I am about to buy a headliner and sail panels.  I'm looking at Legendary black non-perforated but am unsure why there is a perforated option.  My original 1973 green headliner was non-perforated so I was thinking to just use that. style. Legendary also seems a bit more costly then Roseville. What product and style are you installing?

I am not really sure who made the one I have (Crash340 gave it to me), but it us perforated for sure. I don't really care that much about whether it is or not, just need a headliner. the problem I discovered today is that the rear bow pivots on a hole that is in the head liner retainer (the metal plate that has the saw teeth on the bottom) and as it turns out that I am missing one. I had thought that the bow went into one of the holes in the roof substructure but no matter which hole  put it into it wasn't correct. Finally I went and looked for the retainer plates (found one) and after looking at it and where it positions the bow, that is what I need. In this picture, my bow goes into the bottom rear hole (of the 3 holes grouped together)

[redo1973]

Thanks. I did not tear down my interior. I only removed the saw tooth brackets for the sail panels.  I suspect that I too am missing the parts as I paw through the few remaining boxes.  I had planned on ordering the clips but there are two types I've seen, one is triangular (likely the one) and the other is more like a clip.

[70chall440]

73 doesn't use clips, the bows go into holes in the roof substructure.

[redo1973]

Thanks.  I spoke with Legendary.  There are clips to secure the headliner edges.  As for the Bow retainers don't state a year.  You saved me $34. Thanks.

[70chall440]

Very welcome and thank you because now I guess I am going to have to look for the clips you are talking about, got any pictures?

[70chall440]

Here are some pictures of my headliner installation process, far from done but this might be useful to someone here. In the pictures showing the bows going into the roof substructure (black background), I took the picture with the bows in the bottom hole, however I ended up putting the bows 3 and 4 (from the back counting forward) in the top holes for proper fitment.

[redo1973]

These are the headliner clips from Legendary located in Newark, NY.  Item number HLCLIP

[70chall440]

Thanks I should have them. I need to look

[70chall440]

I finally have gotten back to the Cuda. I do have the headliner clips, so that is good. I need to figure out where they go exactly although I think I can probably guess. I believe I have 6 of them (3 per side); if anyone can provide some idea of where they should be placed I would appreciate it.