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    Author Topic: '72 Challenger Project  (Read 13030 times)

    Offline rhamson

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    Re: '72 Challenger Project
    « Reply #30 on: January 03, 2017 - 09:33:50 AM »
    And here is a better view of where the blocks of wood isolated where the frame was to bend. All in all it was pretty smooth and the the rails are dead level with the rest of the frame. My first pull on the frame had a 1x1-1/8" cross member on the back that bent like a noodle. The 3x3 fixed that.
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    Offline soundcontrol

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    Re: '72 Challenger Project
    « Reply #31 on: January 03, 2017 - 11:09:40 AM »
    Great work and a very smart way to do it!


    You probably have theese already, but Brad put some frame measurement pictures in my very first thread before I got mine in 2013, here:
    http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=92460.msg913705#msg913705


    I did measure mine before I bought it, but I did not check the exact height on all the frame parts.
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    / Ken
    Restoration thread: http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=102525.0
    topic=108917.new#new

    Offline rhamson

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    Re: '72 Challenger Project
    « Reply #32 on: January 03, 2017 - 12:44:06 PM »
    It was tough working with finish paint and I still have to weld the frame connectors, front passenger torque box. inner fender top and tubular aftermarket tower to firewall support but it went off fairly unscathed. I appreciate the dimensions but I have the same ones in the '72 body service manual. Heights and diagonals are within a 1/16" so I will stop being anal about it now. :banghead:
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    Offline Challenger in NC

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    Re: '72 Challenger Project
    « Reply #33 on: January 03, 2017 - 07:58:07 PM »
    Quote from: rhamson on January 03, 2017 - 12:44:06 PM
    It was tough working with finish paint and I still have to weld the frame connectors, front passenger torque box. inner fender top and tubular aftermarket tower to firewall support but it went off fairly unscathed. I appreciate the dimensions but I have the same ones in the '72 body service manual. Heights and diagonals are within a 1/16" so I will stop being anal about it now. :banghead:

    Don't you feel better now?  :thumbsup:
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    Offline Beekeeper

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    Re: '72 Challenger Project
    « Reply #34 on: January 04, 2017 - 10:21:56 AM »
    Thanks for sharing all your work. My cars are straight now but I know someday I'll pick up a project in need of this. Like so many things in the classic car world, ive paid for professional frame straightening work and got mediocre work. Seeing how you tackled this gives me confidence that it could be done at home if you're patient and plan it out well.
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    Offline rhamson

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    Re: '72 Challenger Project
    « Reply #35 on: January 06, 2017 - 08:55:30 AM »
    Quote from: Challenger in NC on January 03, 2017 - 07:58:07 PM
    Don't you feel better now?  :thumbsup:
    I know I have gotten some better sleep since this has been rectified.  :bigsmile:
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    Offline usraptr

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    Re: '72 Challenger Project
    « Reply #36 on: January 09, 2017 - 02:32:26 PM »
     :2thumbs: :2thumbs:
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    1970 Plymouth 'Cuda.  Matching numbers 440 U Code, 4 speed pistol grip, Rallye dash, AM 8 Track, Shaker hood, 15 inch rallye wheels, Dana 60 4.10, Super Track Pak.  One of 134 - 440 "U" coupes codes built in 1970 and one of 100 - 440 Super Track Paks built in 1970.

    Restoration pictures at:  http://spanks4thememory.smugmug.com/Cars/70-Cuda/7240639_M24oi#465274575_2MBqW
    (Edited 8-1-17)

    "usraptr" = United States raptor - bird of prey = United States Bald Eagle.  FYI, somebody else thought of it first so I had to drop the "O" in raptor.

    Offline rhamson

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    Re: '72 Challenger Project
    « Reply #37 on: January 25, 2017 - 09:24:44 AM »
    Now that the frame is right I started hanging panels and am working on gaps. I have a hodge podge of panels from different cars which I think had something to do with the bent frame. The passenger door and fender are different from the drivers side. The trunk deck has insane gaps of almost 7/16" in some spots. I have some welding rod I will begin to fill the gaps with.
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    Offline YellowThumper

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    • I left the snow for this?
    Re: '72 Challenger Project
    « Reply #38 on: January 26, 2017 - 11:16:43 PM »
      :2thumbs:
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    Removing the warning labels one at a time.
    Nature will take care of the rest.

    Offline rhamson

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    Re: '72 Challenger Project
    « Reply #39 on: January 30, 2017 - 10:17:32 AM »
    When I media blasted the car I found around a 3/8" of filler on the door jamb to make up the door gap. Instead of just doing that again I am adding metal to the door edge using 12 gauge welding rod and stitching it on. The back side is done in the first picture and the second picture is the facing side and what it looks like before stitching it closed.
    « Last Edit: January 30, 2017 - 12:40:59 PM by rhamson »
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    Offline johns cuda shop

    • 71 Cuda Pro-Touring Build
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    • Machinist and Fabricator
      • Custom Machine Components
    Re: '72 Challenger Project
    « Reply #40 on: January 30, 2017 - 12:35:30 PM »
    Yeah Ralph. I had to do the same to my door. Looking great ... :bigsmile:
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    71 Cuda Gen III Aluminum 426 Hemi T56 6 speed 4.10 8.75 Modified & Lowered RMS coilover suspension Wilwood discs

    Offline rhamson

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    Re: '72 Challenger Project
    « Reply #41 on: January 30, 2017 - 02:20:32 PM »
    I have already painted the jambs and interior parts in S2-KBC13 House of Kolor Burple.
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    Offline usraptr

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    Re: '72 Challenger Project
    « Reply #42 on: February 02, 2017 - 08:45:22 PM »
    That came out nice!   :2thumbs:
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    1970 Plymouth 'Cuda.  Matching numbers 440 U Code, 4 speed pistol grip, Rallye dash, AM 8 Track, Shaker hood, 15 inch rallye wheels, Dana 60 4.10, Super Track Pak.  One of 134 - 440 "U" coupes codes built in 1970 and one of 100 - 440 Super Track Paks built in 1970.

    Restoration pictures at:  http://spanks4thememory.smugmug.com/Cars/70-Cuda/7240639_M24oi#465274575_2MBqW
    (Edited 8-1-17)

    "usraptr" = United States raptor - bird of prey = United States Bald Eagle.  FYI, somebody else thought of it first so I had to drop the "O" in raptor.

    Offline rhamson

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    • Posts: 404
    Re: '72 Challenger Project
    « Reply #43 on: February 21, 2017 - 10:26:09 AM »
    And so it begins. The sanding and application and re-application and sanding of the bodywork. I had severe pitting from the old vinyl roof which I stripped and treated before the filler was applied. The lows and highs seem to just keep cropping up.
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    Offline soundcontrol

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    Re: '72 Challenger Project
    « Reply #44 on: February 21, 2017 - 11:15:40 AM »
    Thats a job I'm dredding to do. Have to learn though. Are you using any marker paint to find the high and low spots?
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    / Ken
    Restoration thread: http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=102525.0
    topic=108917.new#new
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