SO IT BEGINS....my 69 Charger!!!!--August 29/2007 **Updated March 18th, 2019**

[69bronzeT5]

We bought the car almost 9 years ago back in December 1998. We put it together over the years but it never made it to the body shop. Now with my dad gone, I have to do everything myself. My grandpa who is an amazing mechanic will help will the engine stuff. Today we finally had good weather so I pushed it out into the driveway and began tearing it apart.


I started at 7pm and its now 1:46am and Im calling it a night. Today, I took out the grille, front valance, park lights, headlight support, front bumper, rear bumper, tailights, rear bumperettes, backup lights, some of the chrome trim, rear seat, headliner, package tray (or what was one), all the arm rests and inside door handles and window winders, all door panels and a chunk of carpet. I bagged and labelled all the nuts and bolts too. No pics though...I dont have a camera anymore but I will borrow one


I discovered the right front tire has a steady leak and it gets flat within a day so tomorrow, Im gonna jack her up and put a different tire on and hopefully, it wont go flat.

[TUFCAT]

WOW....Such progress!!.  GOOD THING YOU ARE BAGGING AND TAGGING, BUT  make sure you also take pictures for us (and for your reassembly). Its always important to make diagrams and mark parts - even when you think its easy.  Sometimes these projects make start out only taking  a month, or a couple of weeks....then it snowballs into years!!!  its amazing how much we forget. Good luck to you!!

Sounds like your Mom is supportting the project now    Sorry, that your Dad is flaking out on that special  Father/Son project.

[PocketThunder]

Good idea to bag and tag every nut and bolt, i did that and it make reassembly so much nicer.  And go buy a $10 disposable camera if you have to and take lots of pics. 

[Old Moparz]

Motivation is a good thing.   

If you don't have a camera, you might want to consider a cheap disposable one to at least document what you're doing. You might not have a lot of high quality pics, but it'll be better than nothing at all.

[Brock Samson]

or even just draw some pictures, I'm really glad to see your finally tearing into her,.. lettuce know if we can help... 

[69bronzeT5]

Thanks guys! I will deffintley ask if I have any questions. Im actually gonna go buy a disposible today

[69bronzeT5]

Spent another 2-3 hours outside today...the seats, door panels and ALL of the interior except for the dash and steering wheel are gone. All put away for later times. My mom is picking up a disposible camera on her way home from work.

[BigBlockSam]

sounds like your kicking ass . good luck with the bodyshop. Rene

[69bronzeT5]

Thanks man!! Im sorta stuck at something right now though....how do you get this chrome off?

[hemi-hampton]

Aold can opener/bottle opener works good on removing that Chrome. Also known by the Old Timers as a Church Key. I like to wrap a peice of tape around the end of opener though. Good luck. LEON.

[69bronzeT5]

So I thought Id share some pictures of the Charger over the years


Back in late 98/early 99 right after we got it:





Around 2000-2001:





Around 2002-2003:




August 6/2007:






The 383 before and after:

[71ChallengeHer]

Glad to see your making progress, Cody.

[TUFCAT]

Hmmm,....I get it - - identity blocked out to protect the innocent???    I think, now more than ever, the guys in the Northeast need adopt you.    I'm sure you could use some help as you sweat out the details. 

[Brock Samson]

yeah if i git up there to Nanimo I'd be glad to help... was think in about that this am as a matter of fact..

[Khyron]

Take my advice man, Buy a digital camera and take a picture of EVERYTHING! It proved invaluable to me and to be honest, I would still be putting mine together without it.



and could you have thought of a more original topic name? 

[69DodgeCharger]

Thanks man!! Im sorta stuck at something right now though....how do you get this chrome off?

That beltline chrome on top of the quarter panel is held in from the backside by small screws I hope you didn't go prying on it yet.  I have had the best luck with the driprail chrome working a very thin flatblade screwdriver, or using the edge of a putty knife from the underside and prying upward very gently as you try to push it along the length of the roof rail. otherwise it wants to "curl" or kink. At least that's been my experience.

[70charger_boy]

I'm surprised noone has asked...........Can I use those pics for my site?

[mikesbbody]

good luck cody! and like the guy's mentioned bag, label, and take as many photos as you can

[PocketThunder]

I'm surprised noone has asked...........Can I use those pics for my site?

      

Now remember Cody, disassembly is the fun and easy and cheap part.  Its a long journey from now to the driving stage.  Keep your stick on the ice. 

[69bronzeT5]

Buy a digital camera and take a picture of EVERYTHING!.



and could you have thought of a more original topic name? 

I had one but it got stolen.....and maybe the name should be "SO IT RE-BEGINS...MY CHARGER"

[THE COLONEL]

Good luck.  It seemes like you have a great start with what you have already done!!!

[69Charger_440]

who is that masked boy in the photos?   I demand you reveal his identity!! J/K!!!   

[Ghoste]

Good to see you're reaching the next phase with it Bronzy.    

[Charger_Fan]

SWEET! With any luck, it will be ready when you get your license. You'll have the coolest car in the high school parking lot!

[69bronzeT5]

With any luck, it will be ready when you get your license.

Thats my goal. Hopefully, when Im about 17...Alberta here I come!!! If its done by the time Im 17...Im taking it to Alberta to check out some Mopar junkyards, get some pics for my site and visit someone who I really wanna see