The Project '69 Resto Thread - Uh-Ohh... 10-18-14

[bill440rt]

Thanks all, really. 

Chris, I am so hoping to have it ready for E-town. All depends now how fast the stereo installer is, & I still have to put in the interior even though that is pretty easy.
Right now, I'm still chasing these damn leaks & working out more bugs. Sh*t doesn't end, I'm SURE you can relate!   

Here is some more eye candy, got the rear bumper on today with an extra set of hands from Kevin69RTvert. Just for you, Brian! 

[69*F5*SE]

Bill, the car is simply beautiful.  Very nicely done.     Ted

[resq302]

Looks great Bill. Making fantastic progress.  Hope to see it in E-town.

PS- Ya gotta put the tail panel trim on...... its bothering me.   

[bill440rt]

Tail panel trim will come soon, grasshopper. 
I've intentionally left it off at this time. The stereo installers will be working around the trunk, & I do NOT want the upper trim getting dented or damaged.
Had to reschedule the appointment today.    Delays, delays...

[RJS]

Hey Bill,  The R/T is really looking great!!!!  Love the stance on it and keep up the excellent work...Ron 

[aone415]

Bill I have one word... BADASS!  BTW let me know how your audio guy is, the 68 needs some tunes in it.

[bill440rt]

Hey all, thought I'd post some pics of the audio installation progress. I decided to use a local outfit here, called Z&R Auto Salon in Middlesex, NJ. They came highly recommended amongst people I spoke with, and had some reference installs in a '69 Camaro out of BJ Auction & a '72 Challenger. So, at least they work on older cars also.

Audio setup will include 2 Alpine 10" R subs in the trunk, 2 Alpine 6x9's on the deck, 2 Alpine 6-1/2 speakers in the doors with tweeters in the pillars. After much debate, the speakers wouldn't fit behind the kick panels so in the doors they go. 2 Alpine PDX amps will be in the trunk, one powering the subs & the other powering the cabin speakers. This will all be controlled by the converted former "factory AM" radio. Sa-weet.

Here are some shots of their progress work. A dummy fuel filler tube was constructed on the passenger side, so both sub boxes will be symmetrical. They will wrap around the tubes, hiding them. The tubes will also act as mounts for the finishing boards. The amps will be placed in the trunk floor recess, below the trunk mat. Plan is to cut a window in the trunk mat for the amps.

These photos are the fabricated sub boxes only. They will be covered by hand-formed finish boards to hide them. I'll do something with the spare tire, not sure what yet.

The Mopar Atlantic Nats here is only in a few short weeks. If I get the car back in time, it'll be a mad thrash to get the rest together.

[bill440rt]

A few more, now they are mocked in the car.
He was starting to fabricate the sub-box covers, hopefully I'll have some finished shots of those by tomorrow. This will all be covered in black vinyl similar in texture to the rear tail light cover.

[WHITE AND RED 69]

looking good!  cant wait to see it all finished.

[resq302]

Just my opinion Bill but won't you be losing a lot of trunk space with those boxes back there?  Also, will the vibration of the bass speakers cause the already tin sounding trunk lid to vibrate making it sound bad?

[bill440rt]

Just my opinion Bill but won't you be losing a lot of trunk space with those boxes back there?  Also, will the vibration of the bass speakers cause the already tin sounding trunk lid to vibrate making it sound bad?

Yep.     
Definitely gonna be losing some trunk space there. I'm really OK with it.
As far as vibration, we're just going to have to see. The deck lid fits pretty tight, but I know they are a flimsy part to begin with. I don't plan on blowing my ear drums out (they're already half blown out) or compete in any sound system competition, I just like my music to sound good and clear. The subs will be on a completely separate amp, so the level can always be adjusted.

I stopped by again today, they had the sub-box covers roughed out. Here are some shots.
They'll be doing the plastic work on them tomorrow, and all will be covered in black vinyl. I'm looking forward to seeing the other stuff in the car, and then the wiring. He has some pretty good ideas for speaker grilles in the doors, I'll update with pics as more progress continues...

[bill440rt]

OK, stopped by the audio installers again today. These guys are doing some really nice work.
Here are some more mock-up shots of the trunk. The work on the sub-box finish boards are almost completed, they are out of the car & being worked on separately.
The amps wouldn't fit side by side, so a separate enclosure was made to cover them & they will be placed front to back. This piece is almost finished, & looks fantastic. Notice the way it contours to the tail light cover. The sub-box covers will also contour to the tail light cover, & will be removable to access the tail lights.
The spare will be placed in the stock location, & I'll probably get a black vinyl cover for it to match the rest of the trunk.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I'll probably get a black vinyl cover for it to match the rest of the trunk.

Thats what I was wondering Bill....what about the trunk mat?   The plaid staying or some custom carpet?

[PocketThunder]

what if you get water in the trunk under the mat, you will have to take everything out, is it bolted to the floor?

[bill440rt]

I'll probably get a black vinyl cover for it to match the rest of the trunk.

Thats what I was wondering Bill....what about the trunk mat?   The plaid staying or some custom carpet?

The trunk mat is staying, Chris. The sub covers on the side come down to meet the bottom cover that goes over the amps on the floor. I went by there today, he had them covered in black vinyl & they look great. Once assembled, it all ties in with the black tail light cover. That's why I had them done in black, & the trunk mat will stay to retain some of the "factory" look & colors.

what if you get water in the trunk under the mat, you will have to take everything out, is it bolted to the floor?

Good question! Yes, the sub enclosures are bolted to the floor. The pieces will be removable. I don't predict a flood back there, though. I don't wash my cars with a hose, & they don't get driven in the rain.

[bill440rt]

Here are a few more update shots of the audio install progress.
Trunk enclosures are finished with the exception of the amp box, still waiting on a couple of detail items for that. Wires were being run also, and the speakers are also mounted on the package tray. Door & A-pillar speakers still need to be installed.
The power wires run to relays, and the processor is hidden on the passenger side. This Alpine processor will allow the amps to hook up to the factory converted radio. These wires also need to be secured yet.
The trunk components really came out nice. Once I get the car back, I will remove the side panels so I can then remove the tail light cover. The tail light cover still has to be dyed black to freshen it up.
They really did a super job fitting everything to the trunk, and their finish work also turned out real nice. I hope it sounds as good as it looks! 

[tan top]

clever stuff    looks good 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Ha!  So much for the mat debate....you wont see hardly any of it when the tire/jack is put back in there


Looks like they totally wrapped up the tubes up as well???

[bill440rt]

Right!

The little bit of plaid that you will see is there just to retain some of the factory "flavor". The black ties in with the tail light cover.
Yes, the sub covers wrap around the fuel tube & the other dummy tube that was constructed on the passenger side. The tubes act as attachment points for the sub covers.

They're hoping to have the speaker grilles & other stuff done by today, I have my fingers crossed! 

[Hemidog]

Looks good Bill!  
Lets cross our fingers that the taillight bulbs last as long as they can!  

[resq302]

Hmmm,  kinda looks like you might have it at Mopars @Etown.   

[bill440rt]

Brian, it is so close I can taste it.
The car was not ready today, they're at the mercy of other suppliers for some of the other custom trim pieces. Last thing I want at this point is for it to be rushed. I can't work on the car until Monday anyway, so that might be the ETA on this. It will be a complete mad thrash to finish the car & get it ready for E-town next weekend. Even if it's not 100% done, I just might bring it anyway. Can I get a free pass on that? 

Looks good Bill! 
Lets cross our fingers that the taillight bulbs last as long as they can! 

Yeah, I thought of that, too! 
My worst fear is those tail lights. It took going thru about 6 sets just to get a good pair of them. I'll probably eDead the inside of the tail light cover for some additional insulation against vibration. You think that might help? 

[resq302]

   Hmmmm.... I think I can let it slide if you give me some pointers on redoing my headliner since yours turned out so nice!  Better yet, you come up and help me and it will be Icees all day!   

[Skinypete]

I love how that looks man!!    You just got the gears turning in my head for when I'll eventually be ready for sound in my car...

DJMIII

[b5blue]

Your system is killer Bill! What is your first "test song" going to be? I "suggest" vintage period correct rock. (Something you Charger already has heard before, Voodoo Child or Watchtower?)  After all you have done this would deserve great consideration in my house! (with my 2 sons love of music)