Chris' 1968 Charger Upgrades 6/13 Bunch of updates, done uploading

[Chris 69]

First was taping off the areas not to be painted.

To match spacing of the original stripe, I used 1/4" and 3/4" automotive masking tape, and measured all distances from the trailing edge of the car for consistency.

Process was:

1. Using pencil, mark off distances from the trailing edge.
2. Install tape.
3. Rough-sand the areas to be painted to add more grip.

[Chris 69]

Next was covering the areas of the car not to be painted.

[Chris 69]

Then painting.

Used automotive paint, flat black, that I had on the shelf. Applied 3 or 4 light coats to prevent runs.

[Chris 69]

Pulled the tape and masking off. The stripes came out sharp with no leaks or runs.

[Chris 69]

Photos without and with stripe

[Chris 69]

More updates to follow once I get going on the torque boxes (in the near future).

[Chris 69]

Also, forgot to mention, I purchased some more items to install:

1. Hotchkis front sway bar.
2. Hotchkis rear sway bar.
3. Hotchkis torsion bars.
4. Mopar Performance XHD leaf springs.

Will post updates of these items when I install them. Need to finish the subframe connectors and torque boxes first though.

[fy469rtse]

How did you end up doing your 4 speed hump area to floor Chris? ,
Did you end up doing it as a bolt in ,
Car looks great , bet its a lot of fun 
Geoff

[Charger-Bodie]

Excellent progress! Cool white Charger.

[Dino]

I love this thread!   

I'm still torn between keeping my stripe or ditching it.  Your car looks great with either but if mine were a 68 I'd get the bumble bee stripes as well.  They are the best looking in my book.

[Chris 69]

How did you end up doing your 4 speed hump area to floor Chris? ,
Did you end up doing it as a bolt in ,
Car looks great , bet its a lot of fun 
Geoff

Hi Geoff, I ended up welding tabs on the hump and bolting it in. Check out Page 6 of this thread. IMO it turned out pretty good, and no one will know the difference once the carpet is installed.

[Chris 69]

Excellent progress! Cool white Charger.

Thanks Bodie. Don't see too many white Chargers around. When I get around to repainting the car, it's gonna stay white. The after 9 years of owing it, I can't imaging my Charger any other color!

[Chris 69]

I love this thread!   

I'm still torn between keeping my stripe or ditching it.  Your car looks great with either but if mine were a 68 I'd get the bumble bee stripes as well.  They are the best looking in my book.

Your car looks great as-is Dino, and it's nice seeing another white charger. Personally I hope your plans include keeping it white if you ever repaint it, but these cars look great in any color.

I was going to say to go with the stripe, but after seeing my old stripe-less photo, that looks good too.

With a second gen, stripe or stripe-less will look great!

[tsmithae]

I agree, the white looks nice, especially with the D-windows and black stripe you added!

[jww426]

Stroke to 550 ci please.

JWW

[Chris 69]

Stroke to 550 ci please.

JWW

Lol, maybe someday, but for now the 440 has plenty of power.

[Chris 69]

Been a while since I've updated this thread, however the updates to the Charger have been progressing, including:

1. Subframe connectors.
2. Torque boxes.
3. Aluminum radiator.
4. Remote oil filter.

Starting photo uploads now, looks like i'll be uploading 145 photos, starting...............now!

[Chris 69]

First off, let's start with the subframe connectors.

These are from US Car Tool. I was impressed with the quality of the the part as well as the thickness of the metal they used. The connectors are strong.

To do this, I put the car on 4 ramps to gain as much clearance as possible. Also note the secondary jack stands for safety. Also removed the interior.

[Chris 69]

Subframe connectors. Painted inside each connector prior to installation. Used black Rustoleum I had on the shelf.

[GOTWING]

I like the tag bracket 

[Chris 69]

Next was working on the drivers side. E-brake cable has to be removed, then later re-routed.

[Chris 69]

I like the tag bracket 

Yep! I think a DC.com member made these when the 4-door Diplomat, errr, St. Regis, I mean "Charger" came out back in 06. I HAD to get one for my Charger....

[Chris 69]

Next pre-installed the connector (no photo) and traced the area to grind off the paint. Used a Dremel to do the grinding.

[Chris 69]

Then mated up the connector. Used two hydraulic bottle jacks to hold the connector tight to the underside of the car.

Of note, I did have to pre-fit and grind the connector to match the contours of my car's floor plan. Initial fitment was close, but my floor pan has seen it's share of use. Some massaging to US Car Tool's connector was required.

[Chris 69]

Then welded it with my MIG (Hobart 210). Note the temporary ground clamp location. This was removed later.