1973 Challenger project with 5.9 magnum and 518/46RE overdrive install.

[Kelly B.A.]

This is car upon pick up.

[Kelly B.A.]

1973 Dodge Challenger org 318.360 when I bought it.Looks like it crashed in the front,driver side.Needs floors,trunk,rear frame rail,front frame patch,one front fender,grill/header repair,hood hinge area repair,1/4s outter wheel housings,rear vallnce.Or thats what I thought. The car started and ran and moved under its own power and all lights gauges worked. it had around 80,000 on the clock.

[ChallengerGary]

Welcome to the board.  Looks like you've got your hand full there.  Can't wait to see your progress

[Kelly B.A.]

Started with front floors.

[Kelly B.A.]

Next rear floors.

[Kelly B.A.]

Now to the trunk and that frame rail,or lack there of.
I did not take photos every single step and the date on the camera is off.

[Kelly B.A.]

After the trunk I did the pass trunk ext and wheel housing.
I'am sure you guys all know of the countless small patches you have to make because every time you cut away rust,you find more,and sometimes they don't make those parts.And all the trimming and fitting of parts,but like my dad use to say "son,if it was easy,woman and children would be doing it"

[Kelly B.A.]

Might as well hang that 1/4 skin,have I ever done body work before?No But,at one time I never had sex before,and I am awesome at that.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Welcome aboard here.   

How are those frame rails in the back? Do you need to cap them or anything?

[Kelly B.A.]

Had to replace the passenger rail but driver just required a small patch. You can see the new frame rail installed in one of the photo's above.After that I coated the everything(even some of myself,this stuff will eat through gloves 2bl glove those hands next time) with por-15.

[Kelly B.A.]

Next I did the driver side 1/4 and trunk ext and wheel house,not in that order.I then moved to the front,I striped the entire front down fenders,hood,grill,bumper,eng,tranny,wires,wiper motor,brakes suspention,all off.Sand down to metal,make 2 small cowl patchs,front frame patch,hinge area patch,some work by brake booster then prime and seal front of car. All org metal got por-15 on it.

[Kelly B.A.]

I rebuilt the front end with polygraphite bushing,and did everthing but the pit man arm(more on that later).Used the H.D. tie rod ends (from a c-body) with a set of firm feel no-flex aluiminun tie rod sleaves. I made up plates for the lower control arms,and welded them in.(to stiffen them up like the ones from Mancini Racing)I redid the front brakes useing new oem stock parts.No upgrade for the moment.I have a rear disc kit on my 66 Charger and could copy the brackets and then just sourse out the rest of the parts,but we will see.Put new Goodmark fenders on and put my hood back on.Fiberglassed the grill/header back into one part,and fixed mounting tabs.Fit all doors,fender,hood.

[Kelly B.A.]

I will take photos of car and post soon,I am gona take the hood and header and fenders back off and fit the 5.9 mag eng and overdrive tranny from 2000 Dodge Ram 3500 van.I want to keep the fuel injection.

[Kelly B.A.]

Any tips on this swap would be great. I also have a few question.Like once in, would I need to run a cat,for the o2 sensors to work?What would be a good rear gear to use with that auto overdrive,and the 5.9?I want to drive it on highway on long trips.I get like 12-15mpg with my van(also a 2000,5.9 auto 3.91) I would like to get 17+ on highway.Thanks for any help.

[the_engineers]

I'm doing a 518 install and am using 3.91's.  With the O/D on, it'll be a 2.7 gear.