My first Charger Rebuild/Resto, I'm going to need alot of help from you guys!

[jdeal0311]

I bought a 1968 Charger w/318 almost 10 years ago to the day for $500. I had been out of the Marine Corps for about a year at that point and needed something to keep me occupied and a chance to own my dream car was a perfect opportunity. Without knowing much about restoring cars, I jumped head first into this car and started tearing it apart, then money became tight, then the time wasn't there for me, and now ten years later I am finally getting back to it. It's a rough car, but I am determined to do this! As of right now, the rear of the car is the worst. I know I'm going to need to replace the frame rails, rear leaf spring mounts, entire trunk, etc. Here is a link to my photo album, https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.381138877950.161337.701592950&type=1&l=a282c13181 . I'll take any and all advice, tips, knowledge, anything you guys can offer me since I'm still a rookie at this stuff, lol.

[tan top]

  hello & welcome        whats the plan stock type rebuild  ? or ....



   I see your cat is inspecting the charger too 

[jdeal0311]

I'm shooting for an updated custom look. Shave the doors, fill in the side markers, and update the stereo system. Other than those items, I want to have a nice (maybe not showroom) solid car to be proud of. I fully intend to do all the work myself, maybe even the paint. My first order of business is frame work and I have 1 major question: should there be any frame/subframe under the floor pans (running front to rear)? I cannot find any concrete reference material online. It doesn't look as though there was, but part of me thinks there should be to support the passengers. I'm probably going to be asking a lot of newbie questions, so be prepared, lol.

[Mopar Nut]

Welcome aboard!

[cbrestorations]

right on, make her ur dream car...there are several threads to help you with replacing frame rails and whatever else metal needs replaced. you can print off the frame dimensions so when you get it all cut out u can get it back where she is supposed to be or you can tack weld pick up points in place. this way you can get the new ones mocked up in place of the old ones, but if the old ones are rotted and warped then u will be putting the new ones in at the wrong points

[cdr]

1st I want to thank you for your service !!!   & welcome to DC.com.

send me a friend request   https://www.facebook.com/charles.keel.5

[Dino]

$500??  You can't even buy a fender for that anymore!   

No there are no rails under the floor boards.  Rails go from front to crossmember under your feet and from crossmember at the back to the rear.  However, it's a good idea to connect the rails with frame rail connectors like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/MOPAR-Weld-in-Frame-Rail-Connector-B-Body-Dodge-Plymouth-Charger-Belvedere-66-70-/300879168853

They fit the floor pans.  Also look for torque boxes and such to stiffen up the frame.

[jdeal0311]

I appreciate the input guys! Money is tight right now, so I'm just trying to keep the rust at bay. I'm thinking that my next sub project is going to be repair and repaint on the grille and tail light assemblies, then try to freshen up 47 yr old interior vynal. I'll definitely get some more pictures up soon for feedback.

[polywideblock]

welcome to the site      nice project , you've come to the right place for info/ help on chargers  

[jdeal0311]

Can someone get a close up picture of the hood latch mechanism on a 68?  I seemed to have either misplaced mine or it wasn't on the grille support assembly when I got the car. Either way, it isn't there and I can't find a clear enough picture online to identify what I'm looking for. Thanks guys!

[keepat]

This is the part of the hood latch that is attached to the grill support. There is also another latch attached to the bottom of the hood, let me know if you need a picture that as well.
Good luck!
Pat

[jdeal0311]

Thanks Pat, but is there another part that is engaged by that lever you have pictured? I have the lever and spring that you have in the picture and also the release that is attached to the underside of the hood. It seems to me that there should be another latch which is operated by the lever on the grille assembly. I could be wrong though, lol. I can't figure out how to take a picture that is small enough to upload from my phone.

[70 sublime]

The other part of the latch looks a lot like the one that the trunk lid locks into except it uses the lever that has been pictured to release it instead of a key