Unibody Weight---69 charger

[Chatt69chgr]

Anybody know what the unibody weight of a 69 charger is, that is, without engine, trans, and rear end installed.  I'm wondering what the weight is to help in selecting a rotisserie.  I'm guessing 2800#.  Is this close?

[triple_green]

the complete 68-70 chargers weighed between 3600-3800 lbs depending on the options and engine. I think your estimate is very close.

3X

[G-man]

Sorry to jump in on this, are you saying 2800# is what the unibody with the shell weighs without anything in the car or just without those few things you mentioned?

What would the car weigh if it was totaly stripped and only the body was left?

[Troy]

Assuming you're sticking only the shell on the rotisserie I'd say it's way less than that. Big block is almost 700 pounds, trans and converter 150, fluids 30, rear end and springs 320, drive shaft 20, front suspension 250, tires/wheels 200, seats about 90, dash and heater 100, console + carpet + insulation + door panels + headliner + interior trim 170, grill 60, bumpers and brackets 70, glass 100, fender 120, hood 50, gas tank and pickup 10, battery 50, master cylinder + wiper motor + hoses + clips 30 = 2,520 pounds (all estimates) but I'm sure I forgot a bunch of stuff! A/C adds another 100+ pounds. Figuring that a big block car is about 3,800-4,000 gross then you're left with 1,300-1,500 for the bare shell. I'd guess closer to 1,200 with nothing left to unbolt.

Troy

[Magnumcharger]

Assuming you're sticking only the shell on the rotisserie I'd say it's way less than that. Big block is almost 700 pounds, trans and converter 150, fluids 30, rear end and springs 320, drive shaft 20, front suspension 250, tires/wheels 200, seats about 90, dash and heater 100, console + carpet + insulation + door panels + headliner + interior trim 170, grill 60, bumpers and brackets 70, glass 100, fender 120, hood 50, gas tank and pickup 10, battery 50, master cylinder + wiper motor + hoses + clips 30 = 2,520 pounds (all estimates) but I'm sure I forgot a bunch of stuff! A/C adds another 100+ pounds. Figuring that a big block car is about 3,800-4,000 gross then you're left with 1,300-1,500 for the bare shell. I'd guess closer to 1,200 with nothing left to unbolt.

Troy

[G-man]

Thanks Troy!  

Will save that list for my future alloy part replacement build. I can see about 500-600lbs coming off the 3800lbs

[Chatt69chgr]

Thanks Troy for providing the answer that I really wanted.  You are correct in your assumption that what I wanted was the weight of the body shell.  I'm looking at a rotisserie by Accessible Systems out of Johnson City, TN.  I think the biggest problem is going to be whether it will fit in my garage.

[charge69]

Just remember, when you finally get it back together there will be more and more weight on the rotisserie as you add things. Obviously, you would not build the car on a rotisserie but adding things, even just a few things, will add up to more weight.

Just make sure you get a little wiggle room, so to speak, when you get one and it probably will not fit in your garage unless you have a non-standard length garage. The rotisserie I use and the shop has plenty of room but it is at least 5 ft. longer than the shell and needs to be to fit properly on this particular rotisserie which is home made.By the way it is plenty strong enough to hold the car and fuel tank, fuel lines, wiring harness in engine compartment and all brake lines just for a start. Gonna get as much as we can on the car on the rotisserie as it is easier that way.

Carl

[Mike DC]

I've been keeping this list saved on my computer.  I've put it up before when people were talking about Charger weights on some earlier threads:  

-----------------------------------------------

Numbers for a 68/69 Charger.  I think the 2nd-gen unibody shell itself is something like 1200 lbs.  But that's a very rough estimate.  Some figures are for sure but the majority are just guesswork based on handling parts over the years.    


fenders - 45 lbs each  
hood - 50-60 lbs  
Trunkild - 40 lbs?

bumpers & brackets - maybe 25 lbs at each end  
Front valance - 10 lbs
grille (whole assembly) - 40 lbs?  

steel door shells alone - 45 lbs ?
(doors - probably 60-70 pounds each by the time they have the glass & hardware & vent windows. )

Windshield + rear window + rear side window glass - maybe 150 lbs ?

rear axle (8.75" with no brakes) - 160 lbs  
Dana 60 rear for these cars - 210 lbs
Driveshaft - 30 lbs?
(entire unsprung rear end (with wheels/tires and leaf springs) -  300+ lbs?)

front K-frame, with the LCAs, strut rods, swaybar, steering linkage, etc  - ? - probably over 120 lbs
stock power steering box - 40 lbs.    
(front susp total here + 100 lbs for the wheels & brakes/spindles = 260+ lbs?)

Brake pedel assy + power booster + MC + prop block - 40 lbs?
steering column & wheel - 25 lbs?  
under-dash heat/AC box - 20 lbs?
Taillight assy's - 25 lbs?

front buckets - 40+ lbs each ?
dash assembly - 50 lbs?
rear bench - 25 lbs?
Carpeting + other various insulation - 35 lbs?
Center console + shifter assy - 25 lbs?

 
*  *  *  total so far = around  2700 lbs  for the rolling chassis with no drivetrain  *  *  *  

BB wedge motor - 625-675 lbs
727 tranny - 120+ lbs?

Battery - 50 lbs
Spare tire - 30 lbs
Jack + tire iron - 20 lbs

*  *  *  total = around 3600 lbs without any of the fluids *  *  *

[Troy]

You know what? I think I'll buy a cheap bathroom scale and weigh some parts this weekend (or tonight during the blizzard). Goodness knows I've got enough for about cars taken apart! I won't be able to actually weigh a bare shell. I've been meaning to haul one over to my buddy's truck shop and stick it on the scale but never have worked out our schedules.

What parts do you guys assemble on the rotisserie?

Troy

[The70RT]

I remember debating this when i asked a few years ago. Someone was telling me two people could lift it  ...i said not two normal people.

[BY RSCO]

"I'm looking at a rotisserie by Accessible Systems out of Johnson City, TN."
I am not a bodyman by any means, but mine is on a rotisserie from there now.. Bodyman is very happy with it!

[Mike DC]

             
It would be nice to get a real figure on the weight of the bare unibody once and for all.  It's the only piece of the car that really poses a challenge to weigh. 

A unibody that's totally full of cheap repro asian panels would probably weigh a handful of pounds less than an all-original unibody.  The pre-AMD stuff was crap and even the AMD stuff itself is probably not 100% the same.

[Troy]

Well, mine has torque boxes and subframe connectors but it would be easy enough to figure how much weight they added. Only the rear valance, trunk pan, and the very bottom of the quarters are repro.

I forgot: 143 tooth flywheel, clutch, and PP = 63 pounds (shipping weight of the last one I bought)

Troy

[drifter69]

IMO, If your going to buy one get a beefy one, seems like there is not a whole lot of a $ diff if you buy without the paint. Besides you might want to put another car on it down the road. If you sell it when your done the beefy model will be more appealing.

[Mike DC]

Well, mine has torque boxes and subframe connectors but it would be easy enough to figure how much weight they added. Only the rear valance, trunk pan, and the very bottom of the quarters are repro.

That would be a good car to weigh. 

Is it all painted up?  If so, then you might be able to just call it a wash between the asian panels versus the extra filler/primer/paint that is probably on it compared to 1968.  Maybe just subtract the weight of the chassis stiffeners and call it good.  That would probably get you within 50 lbs of the original factory built weight.