My 70 Charger acquisition thread (Cross country road trip ahead).

[nvrbdn]

Sounds like a great time.What a beautiful car. And I agree with the feelings of giving the trip more time. If you can take the week, then there would be no rushing to stay on schedule.

[crj1968]

You are picking a good route, you'll be fine. One small pass between Oregon/ID at Pendleton OR, no problem right now. Flat  all the way from Boise to SLC

Send me a PM when if you cruise through Boise!   

[ACUDANUT]

 When does this adventure begin again ? 

[Brass]

Is this your first old car?  What rear gear ratio does it have?  I'm guessing there is no overdrive.  Be prepared for road/wind noise, and plan on taking an easy pace unless you don't mind keeping the engine revved over 3K all day and stopping for gas every 90 minutes or so.

[smithenhiven]

CRJ, I'll let you know when I'm going through Boise.

The trip is actually going to take place early next month.  Since I'm trying to coordinate around three people's schedules (mine, my brother's and the sellers), we had to project it out a little farther.  No big deal, in fact that may be a better time for weather anyway.  Right now we're thinking about flying out on April 7, and getting back when we get back, LOL. 

Gears are 3:23, auto 727 transmission.  This will be my first old car.  We plan on taking it nice and slow, we'll probably just barely be doing the speed limit the whole time, maybe less if the car seems like it's "screaming" with revs the whole time.   

[b5blue]

  You'll like the 3.23's. I put that in my 70 Charger twenty years ago and have done many +500 mile a day road trips. If everything is okay by the end of your first 2-300 miles you'll start getting a feel for the car and how it drives. 

[70 sublime]

Just remember the old cars do not stop like the new cars so leave a little extra room 

[taxspeaker]

Magnificent car-congrats. Great trip coming, don't let anyone talk you out of it. Hope for the nest and plan for the worst. Read this thread http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,112825.0.html

Send me a PM and I will send you my list-it's all in the planning. Here is a little up front advice:

Safety first: tires, brakes and electrical
1. Check the AGE on the tires-more important than tread with several days of high speed driving the tread often separates on muscle car tires that don't get driven a lot but have great tread life

2. Check the brakes, check the brakes, check the brakes. If even the slightest thread of doubt get a brake job done by the seller (and reimburse him after receipts) at a very reputable place-not at the discount brake store

3. Electrical-several other posters have commented on this. My advice-drive only during the daytime. I don't care about the rewiring since a lot of the aftermarket stuff is crap, check everything carefully, drive during the daytime, keep a 1/2" wrench and fire extinguisher right behind you on the floor as a worst case scenario.

Now other comments-take a lightweight top of the line aluminum jack (I bought the Jegs racing jack and it was worth it) Do not get under that car on a bumper jack, please!

Since it is spring go to Bass Pro or equivalent and buy an emergency cold weather survival kit. Seriously.

Now for the enjoyment. Every stop will get questions, comments and "I used to have one of these..." so enjoy it. Mount a Go Pro camera and set it for automatic every 5 seconds-shocking the pictures of things you didn't expect and you can relive the memories forever.
Stop every 60-90 minutes to stretch-the seats are 45 years old and will beat you to death so a break is a key. Trust me on this one.

Make voice memos after every stop-where, time, odometer, weather, people, sights. Do it on your cell phone and then save them at the end of the trip.

Get someone to take, or use a selfie stick, to take your picture of you and your brother often-this is a memory of a lifetime.

And again, relish the stops, the discussions, etc. I found rest areas and truck stops had the best discussions!

Finally call me when you come through Indiana. I will buy breakfast or lunch or dinner or you can stay at a real Mopar house!

Good luck man, enjoy the trip, enjoy the car, enjoy the memories.

Bob J

[Dino]

If those are 28" tall 275/60R15 tires on the rear then you won't be turning all that much rpm at 70 mph. I have 17" wheels on mine but my tires are also 28" tall and I have the same gears. I run my car at 80-85 mph all day long without issues. In fact it seems to like those speeds.

I would give the car a good check every time you take a break or fill it up. Check for damage to wires especially.

Enjoy the trip!   

[stripedelete]

I made a similar trip in June of 1984.  Spokane to Cleveland.    In fact, I did it in the black 69 shown in 70 Sublime's avatar.  

Weather-
Even though it was June we had trouble with snow in a pass in Idaho (the rear tires were what we referred to as "slicks" back-in-the-day) It may be the same pass crj1968 mentioned as we were also head to Salt Lake.

Good spare WITH correct lug nuts-
I brought with a new spare on a conventional rim (checked it as luggage).  I needed the spare in Nebraska, but, because I did not bring conventional lug nuts we spent a night in NAPA parking lot in Iowa City.  The tire that was "deconstructing" was on a Crager rim.  The Crager lug nuts would not work with the conventional rim.  

Have fun -
Enjoy the trip.   We still laugh pretty hard when we recollect our adventure.  Had there not been two of us no one would ever believe the stories.

If there is any way to postpone until late May-Early June please consider it.   Our country is quite beautiful that time of year.

[smithenhiven]

Magnificent car-congrats. Great trip coming, don't let anyone talk you out of it. Hope for the nest and plan for the worst. Read this thread http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,112825.0.html

Send me a PM and I will send you my list-it's all in the planning. Here is a little up front advice:

Safety first: tires, brakes and electrical
1. Check the AGE on the tires-more important than tread with several days of high speed driving the tread often separates on muscle car tires that don't get driven a lot but have great tread life

2. Check the brakes, check the brakes, check the brakes. If even the slightest thread of doubt get a brake job done by the seller (and reimburse him after receipts) at a very reputable place-not at the discount brake store

3. Electrical-several other posters have commented on this. My advice-drive only during the daytime. I don't care about the rewiring since a lot of the aftermarket stuff is crap, check everything carefully, drive during the daytime, keep a 1/2" wrench and fire extinguisher right behind you on the floor as a worst case scenario.

Now other comments-take a lightweight top of the line aluminum jack (I bought the Jegs racing jack and it was worth it) Do not get under that car on a bumper jack, please!

Since it is spring go to Bass Pro or equivalent and buy an emergency cold weather survival kit. Seriously.

Now for the enjoyment. Every stop will get questions, comments and "I used to have one of these..." so enjoy it. Mount a Go Pro camera and set it for automatic every 5 seconds-shocking the pictures of things you didn't expect and you can relive the memories forever.
Stop every 60-90 minutes to stretch-the seats are 45 years old and will beat you to death so a break is a key. Trust me on this one.

Make voice memos after every stop-where, time, odometer, weather, people, sights. Do it on your cell phone and then save them at the end of the trip.

Get someone to take, or use a selfie stick, to take your picture of you and your brother often-this is a memory of a lifetime.

And again, relish the stops, the discussions, etc. I found rest areas and truck stops had the best discussions!

Finally call me when you come through Indiana. I will buy breakfast or lunch or dinner or you can stay at a real Mopar house!

Good luck man, enjoy the trip, enjoy the car, enjoy the memories.

Bob J

Hi Bob,

Thanks so much for the detailed reply, and linking me to your thread.  WOW, what a trip you had, I can only hope we have half as much fun as you did.  I will definitely send you a PM for your planning list.

[smithenhiven]

I made a similar trip in June of 1984.  Spokane to Cleveland.    In fact, I did it in the black 69 shown in 70 Sublime's avatar.  

Weather-
Even though it was June we had trouble with snow in a pass in Idaho (the rear tires were what we referred to as "slicks" back-in-the-day) It may be the same pass crj1968 mentioned as we were also head to Salt Lake.

Good spare WITH correct lug nuts-
I brought with a new spare on a conventional rim (checked it as luggage).  I needed the spare in Nebraska, but, because I did not bring conventional lug nuts we spent a night in NAPA parking lot in Iowa City.  The tire that was "deconstructing" was on a Crager rim.  The Crager lug nuts would not work with the conventional rim.  

Have fun -
Enjoy the trip.   We still laugh pretty hard when we recollect our adventure.  Had there not been two of us no one would ever believe the stories.

If there is any way to postpone until late May-Early June please consider it.   Our country is quite beautiful that time of year.

Thanks for the tip, I'll be sure to make sure the spare works with the car's lug nuts, or get an extra set for the spare. 

Unfortunately, I'm kinda stuck with an April departure date.  It's just seeming like everyone's schedules are aligning for this timeframe, if I push it out, I don't know what that will do for the seller, and I risk my brother not being able to come, and my own work schedule filling up.  I'm just going to pray for good weather, and hope for the best.  If we hit snow, I'll either find a place to pull over till the roads clear, or just take it nice and slow through those parts.

[crj1968]

Just pretend it's 1980 where everyone was driving v8's with RWD !

[b5blue]

I don't know if it's been mentioned but you'll have right and left hand threads on the lug nuts I believe. 

[euroZ06]

Great thread! If i can reach the seller on this page, i hope to buy this 68 that is in Kansas. I'm stationed in Germany, so i'd have to fly to Kansas, drive the car to a port in NY (11 hours), then ship it, then drive it from the port in Germany to my home (another 6 hours). I was just thinking about some of these things yesterday. Good advices on everything. I drove my 73 charger once from Monterey to LA (6 hours) when i was shipping it to germany, and that was a fun ride, though i had to drive through somewhat of a desert in the summer, with no AC those seats got hot! But my baby handled it with no problems! I've also driven it in Germany on long trips, and same no issues. Though once i had an issue (while i was local). The car wasn't giving a charge. It was late in the evening and i was on my way to a party. I had to turn around and rush home (but my lights kept getting dimmer). Next day i took it to a shop (though on the way the car was dying at idle). My alternator and the that thing that does recharging (on the firewall, is it ballast resistor?) were brand new (less than a year old), so i didn't understand what could have broken. It turned out that the ballast resistor had failed, though it was 6 months old. Sooo i'd say have that one as a spare. I've put about 10k miles on my 73 charger (had a 440 from a 68), and it never stranded me.

[crj1968]

I don't know if it's been mentioned but you'll have right and left hand threads on the lug nuts I believe. 

Good catch!

[nvrbdn]

I thought 70 was the year Dodge straightened that out and went all the same direction thread. My 70 is all the same.

[ACUDANUT]

Nope. 70 was the last year for left hand threads. Someone changed yours out years ago, more than likely.  I changed out mine 30 odd years ago.

[charger_fan_4ever]

All my research indicates that I don't have to give advance notice to the boarder authority.  If it were the other way around, the Canadian side would want notice, but not coming into the US.  I simply show up with the car, applicable paperwork, completed border entry import forms, they perform a vehicle check, I pay a fee, and I'm on my way.  Their website claims that if everything is in order, this process should only take about a 1/2 hour, but we all know how slowly the wheels of a government agency spin.

As for crossing the Rockies, perhaps I misspoke a bit.  I have no intention of crossing these mountains in the normal sense of the word.  But to some extent, they are pretty much unavoidable unless I take a huge southern detour.  So I'll be looking for the easiest pass there is.  So far, it looks like my best route would be to instantly go South, from British Columbia into WA state, staying on the west side of the mountains down through Oregon and Idaho, and crossing near Salt Lake City Utah, where it appears the mountains start to flatten.  

When i imported my charger into Canada it wasn't canada that required the notice it was the Us side. From what i understand the 72 hour clearing needs to be done at the customs that the car resides in . In your case Cdn customs. i brought all the paper work to US customs and went back week later to get the car. Then came out for 5 mins to check the vin then off.

Food for thought.

BTW nice car ;-)

[birdsandbees]

My 70 Bird still has left hand threads on the drivers side.

[smithenhiven]

All my research indicates that I don't have to give advance notice to the boarder authority.  If it were the other way around, the Canadian side would want notice, but not coming into the US.  I simply show up with the car, applicable paperwork, completed border entry import forms, they perform a vehicle check, I pay a fee, and I'm on my way.  Their website claims that if everything is in order, this process should only take about a 1/2 hour, but we all know how slowly the wheels of a government agency spin.

As for crossing the Rockies, perhaps I misspoke a bit.  I have no intention of crossing these mountains in the normal sense of the word.  But to some extent, they are pretty much unavoidable unless I take a huge southern detour.  So I'll be looking for the easiest pass there is.  So far, it looks like my best route would be to instantly go South, from British Columbia into WA state, staying on the west side of the mountains down through Oregon and Idaho, and crossing near Salt Lake City Utah, where it appears the mountains start to flatten.  

When i imported my charger into Canada it wasn't canada that required the notice it was the Us side. From what i understand the 72 hour clearing needs to be done at the customs that the car resides in . In your case Cdn customs. i brought all the paper work to US customs and went back week later to get the car. Then came out for 5 mins to check the vin then off.

Food for thought.

BTW nice car ;-)

Interesting, thanks for the tip.  I'm currently Googling this topic now.  From everything I'm seeing, I don't need to give any notice to any border enforcement, either Canadian or US side.  If anyone has any specific experience on importing a vehicle from Canada to the US, I would appreciate to know if any notice was due to the Canadian side (I called the US border control at the place of entry I plan on crossing, and I was verbally told that they do not need any advance notice).  I'm trying to find a number to the Canadian side, but I'm not turning anything up. 

[richard parker]

Try the cbsa website they should have most of the information you need on there

[E86/A47]

I picked my car up in Canada and prior notice was not needed. I was stopped at the border and had to provide the paperwork, I filled out some paperwork, they did a search to make sure it was not stolen and I was on my way.

Good luck to the OP on the trip. I look forward to seeing the updates.

[smithenhiven]

Some changes to my trip.  First, my brother will not be able to make the trip with me.  This is a big bummer as I was really looking forward to this trip with him.  So I asked my long time buddy if he was able to get time off work to go out, he pulled some strings and made it happen, so it will now be him and I.  We've actually been friends since grade school, so if it couldn't be my brother I'm glad it's him.

Second change, we are headed out on Saturday, April 2.  A little over a week at this point, can't wait.  I will arrive in Vancouver at approx noon, and that will mark the beginning of our trip home.  I figure by the time I land, go over the car, go through the border crossing process, load up on some supplies that I didn't ship out in advance, we'll probably be hitting the road later Saturday evening.  I'm thinking we'll drive a couple/few hours until it gets dark to get the feel of the car, see how it's acting/responding and call it a night in a hotel somewhere.  Then Sunday will be a longer traveling day to see what it's capable of.  I would assume if all is good on Sunday, it will be smooth sailing the rest of the way home.  Of course I'm not going to take that for granted, I'll still be checking the fluids every-time we stop, and giving the car a good once over to make sure everything still seems in order. 

Now I'm starting to rethink my proposed route.  I know a lot can change in a weeks time, but I'm seeing reports of road closures along I80 in Utah.  What I can't find off hand is if it's due to weather, or maybe an accident or what.  Now I'm wondering if heading east through WA, into Idaho then Montana on I90 would be the best way.

Lots to consider....

[crj1968]

I don't see any issues on I-84 in Utah.  Possibly Ogden UT got some snow today but it will be gone tomorrow. Its how spring is around here.

http://lb.511.idaho.gov/idlb/winterdriving/routesection.jsf?section=4&route=16%3A3

Cool to have a buddy since grade school coming along with you. I've got my 70 ready to drive so if you come through let me know.