1972 Dodge Charger

[72ChargerDodge]

Thanks Smokey for saying what I was trying to say. I agree that I have more work then just welding in the slider.

This section was rusted out so bad I believe because it sits right above the truck section that is rusted out so bad. I think the truck seal must have went out on the car and it just ran water like crazy through this section rusting it out really bad. I took a hammer and screwdriver and tested the entire frame for weak spots. Everything but this one section passed the bang the $#!+ out of it test. Not that I needed a hammer to know that this part was totally screwed.

Yes it will be Petty Blue again. I am also working at removing all the spray paint from the interior so that it will also be Blue again also.

Ya, I have noticed the fiberglass patches. Those are not the only ones either. The car is in need of some body work for sure. My goals are to get it on the road and then I can work on the body one piece at a time.

This weekend I am going to replace the motor mount and change all the fluids. Then If I have time (and the parts arrive) weld in a new section and weld in the slider.

Then it will be on the road again.

[ACUDANUT]

 I have seen much worse. it can be fixed easily. Ignore the nay-sayers and just fix it. If you can't weld, find someone who can.

[72ChargerDodge]

Thankfully my dad made sure I knew how to weld before I left the home. First thing I ever welded was my eyes shut (I first learned that you can't even look at the light for a second)

[modmidget]

Here are a few of the places I ordered parts from when I restored my Charger:

Paddock Parts -  http://www.paddockparts.com/paddock/assets/html/homepage.asp

Year One - http://www.yearone.com/

Jim's Auto Parts  -  http://www.jimsautoparts.com/

Also do a Google search for Mopar Restoration Parts and you'll find a lot of web sites.

You'll get a lot of negative responses from members of this forum about the three companies I listed above but I purchased parts from all three and got excellent service from all.

[Foreman72]

I have seen much worse. it can be fixed easily. Ignore the nay-sayers and just fix it. If you can't weld, find someone who can.

right on!!

and this gives me hope since mine is in worse shape than yours...

[451-74Charger]

The Company my Dad worked for had some rust remover, that was a 2 part system, a liquid you treat with then a catalyst that reacted with the rust.
Used it on all sorts of stuff and never had any rust break through (turned rust black). I cant remember its name but it was good , but also extremely expensive.

Chances are if you are an engineer in Europe you know the stuff im talking about.

Me , there is no replacement for elbow grease and 80 grit

[CDN72SE]

I honestly don't know what you mean. I have inspected the entire undercarriage of the car. I have banged every bit of the frame. The rear leaf spring shackle that holds the back of the leaf spring is rusted out. The shackle that the leaf spring hooks to. I need to weld in a new shackle. They make replacement shackles. Here is the shackle that I ordered. I am going to cut out the old shackle & weld in the new one. After I weld in the new one I will re-hook up my leaf spring.

Everyone has helped me out a ton.  The members of this site helped me find a replacement shackle.  I was having a hard time finding one.

Notice the frame next to the shackle. The bumper is attached to the frame. It goes shackle, frame, gas tank. The frame is in between the shackle and the gas tank. Notice that the frame is not rusted out.  I call the shackle that which the leaf spring is attached to. If you want to call the shackle a frame then yes the frame is rusted out.

Looks like the REAR LEAF SPRING MOUNTS are available now, this is from Jim's Auto Parts, looks like an AMD piece. Part number DS-M303R for the right.
http://jimsautoparts.com/body_parts_rear.htm#trunk%20gutter%20set

[mopar73]

Nice car.  You do have some work cut out for you in the near future with the rust but it is all fixable with patience and time.  As for the leaf spring support, personally I would skip on the slider bracket and go with the replacement support that is available now.  Past experience on repairing them was just a pain in the a$$ and there was still rust in the area.  The new support will cure all the problems.  I do agree that you should not drive it until it's fixed.  I had an old 72 coronet with the same problem that punched a hole in the trunk after driving that way for awhile.  Good luck

[72ChargerDodge]

Its in the shop, I did decide to not use the slider bracket. Its going to be restored to the OG bracket. Thanks everyone for the direction and info.

[CDN72SE]

 

[CDN72SE]

 

[ACUDANUT]

Well, Is it fixed. ? post some pic's.

[Old Tired Rebel]

Well, Is it fixed. ? post some pic's.

I would like to know myself.

[billfury]

He was last active 2/15/10.