Rolling Thunder's Charger Restoration Thread *PICS* *UPDATE!*

[69bronzeT5]

I love the way they designed the 2nd Gen Charger's driprails and all of that. My Duster, the top of the quarters...the factory made them slightly indented so the water runs down the driprails but some of it ends up sitting on top of the quarters.

[Rolling_Thunder]

man... everything looks great love the shaved drip rails.. mist guys wont even know there gone... but what a difference....

I like the way the shaved drip rails look, but how do you keep water from rain or a car wash from getting into the car?     I've been curious about it for a while.

The door gaskets and roof line weatherstrippings take care of that - The drip rails just direct most of the water down to the rear of the windows...    no idea why - new cars dont have them?   

They also made it so the air would not pound on the actual seal too.....Most new cars cars have channeled doors and will wind leak on one side going one direction and the other side going the other way.

Good point...     but back in high school I would drive around with my windows down all the time...   even in the rain so...    I guess i'm not that smart but whatever - This wont be driven in the rain that often anyway (never rains in so cal anyway! )   

[Rolling_Thunder]

news - not much going on - out job hunting most of my time or going to class...       Small things done on the Charger include ditching the hydroboost for now (I like manual brakes anyway) - got the brake backing plate mounted along with the master cylinder adapter and master cylinder all on...    got the final brake lines on the car that go from the master to the brass distribution block...    I got my hydraulic slave cylinder mounted for my clutch system...         As it sits not I need a master cylinder pushrod and then the brake system and clutch system can be bled....   

   

[chargerhunter]

Awesome..how much $$$ do you have in the swap itself?? If I may ask....

[Rolling_Thunder]

6.1L Hemi Crate
Crank Shaft
Bearings
Connecting Rod Bolts
Gas Pedal
Flywheel
Bellhousing
Headers
Motor Mounts
Oil Pan and Pick-up
Front Runner
Wiring Harnesses


Total is  $5,468.00 thus far (rounded up to nearest dollar)

cheapest 6.1L Hemi swap on the books so far   

[Rolling_Thunder]

Here's a couple pics for you guys

Tail Lights installed


Random K-member Shot


Master Cylinder


Brake Lines and Clutch Slave

[autodynamics]

now were talking......looks great

[chargerhunter]

Thanks for the info, I wondered what ballpark it would run... when I saw the converted tanks I fell out! 

[Rolling_Thunder]

I will be making my own fuel system...        Also remember that I got a killer deal on the engine itself...    around 1/4 of their asking price...   

[mopar_nut_440_6]

I will be making my own fuel system...        Also remember that I got a killer deal on the engine itself...    around 1/4 of their asking price...   

Blackmail???   

[Rolling_Thunder]

Nope - I was in the right place at the right time...    guy had a 6.1L crate that had spun some bearings due to lack of oil pickup O-ring - spun the bearings on the crank and scored it badly...     I purchased a new crank and bearings - and dropped it in and reassembled the Hemi...      Got the crate for $2000 and put something like $600 more into it...   so total of $2600.00 instead of close to $9K

So yes - I am keeping a very detailed spreadsheet of the money I have spent on the swap...   when the entire swap is done I'm sure I'll post is up for everyone to see how the whole thing breaks down...      If you were to purchase everything at list price the total would currently be  $12,708.44

So I am saving quite a bit...     

[chargerhunter]

What kind of mods for the clutch master to work? Which one did you use?

[Rolling_Thunder]

I purchased a universal Tremec TKO kit from Darkhorse Performance - it came with all McLeod stuff - clutch master cylinder, resevoirs, and a hydraulic throw out bearing...    I have had no problems with this set up - alot better than Keisler's which I had a ton of problems with.

*EDIT* I added the link to my Hemi's build thread in the very first post of this thread for reference.

[slyfox]

HI, i got my 70 charger,rebuilt, new floor pans, truck floor, rear quarters panels, wheel wells, roof repair, some rust repair on fenders and doors, one front frame rail, and both rear frame rails, and more, total cost for parts and labour with clear coat paint  about 40 grand, but well worth it for me, it's expensive but it looks great.  Sly

[Johnnys70SRT]

 You've got a nice car coming together there. Now you guys are making me wonder if I should shave the drip rails on my car too, since I'm still waiting for the bodyshop to get the car done. Don't want to wait another 4 years though. Can't wait to hear how it runs for you.
Did you find the connector for the APPS sensor yet?? If you know what year the accelerator pedal came out of, I can see if Mopar offers a pigtail kit for you. They seem to vary in part number depending on the year. Let me know and I would be glad to help.
I'm also building a 6.1L 70 Charger that has been apart since I was 20 years old. Now I'm 40 and can't wait to get this thing done. Should be alot of fun with what I have read about these conversions done by others.
Good luck and keep us posted.

[Rolling_Thunder]

Hmmm   that's an idea - the Pedal is out of a 2005 Dodge Ram - it is a 6 pin (in line) connector - if Mopar does not offer a pigtail kit (at a reasonable cost) I have another way to go...     epoxy and make my own   

[Johnnys70SRT]

 Part number you need is 68040448AA but the price is crazy $68.45.  I could get you my cost on it which is $50.00 but it still seems excessive. Don't know where Mopar gets these prices from on these pigtails. They are outta their tree.
Did a little homework for you. An alternative option would be to go to a wrecking yard and snip away. They probably would not charge you anything for it. The plug fits 2003-2007 Jeep Liberty rear wiper motors, 2004-2006 Durango pedal sensors, and 2006-2007 Charger,Magnum, or 300's. This information is directly from the Chrysler connector web-site.
If I can help you anymore, feel free to e-mail me.

[Rolling_Thunder]

hey thanks alot man!  jeez - mopar loves charging crap tons of money for connectors dont they ? 

[Rolling_Thunder]

UPDATE -  UPS man just dropped off my A/C Evap assembly from Summit Racing - Ended up getting a Hot Rod Air "Elite" kit - After doing all the math I figured it would be the cheapest route to go...    Plus this kit does not use a cable operated thermostat (I personally HATE cable op anything)  - Kit seems to be pretty nice and of the same if not better quality than Vintage Air or CAA. The box is a more traditional rectangle than the Vintage Air Magnum box - making it a lot Easier to mount IMO.

Will document the installation when I do it - Maybe this weekend.


This Weekend should be productive for me...  Hopefully get this A/C box mounted, order my radiator, dual electric fans, and a condenser...   Also will start making my A/C lines  Should be very time consuming. As long as I get all the A/C lines mounted from the Evap to the firewall I will be happy as I can do everything else later - I am desperate to get the Dash frame and front windshield in my car - Then I can start completing the interior work.   

[Rolling_Thunder]

Well - I bit the bullet today and ordered my radiator and electric fans...      I'm sure you guys will be semi-surprised when you see what shows up...     lets just say it is not some expensive custom thing...     The fans are a dual set up with integral fan shroud...        

I will need to make a mounting system for this as it is not a custom fit piece...   but that is life. Should not be an issue.       

Anyway - still mocking up how I am going to mount my A/C evap assembly and how I will do the firewall pass through...      Looks like I'll be going out to get some AN fittings...            A/C is going to be pretty expensive...   -10AN for the heater hoses, bulkhead fittings, 90* hose ends, and -10AN compression pipe fittings...    ouch...     


Also re-installed my front sway bar...   I forgot how thick that thing really is...       

The rest of my day will most likely be taken up by cleaning up my garage...    and looking for some of my other parts...    You guys know how it goes...   the parts you need are either in the bottom bin or up in the rafters under a ton of other stuff...     

Replied to a guy who has a PCM with a stage 2 tune in it...   I am going to see if that pans out or not...    I need the PCM - I already am making the harness so that is not an issue...     

After this I'll need to finish up the fuel system...    I have the walbro pump (255LPH) that I need to do some horse trading for - then we'll see....

[Rolling_Thunder]

Well - today was uneventful - Went and helped my friend wrap up his 55 Dodge truck 5.7L hemi project...   spent the majority of my day doing electrical and making brake lines...   

I did manage to Start assembling the Dash for my charger however. I sanded down the A/C vents and repainted them along with the defroster vents...  I re-dyed my vinyl padding and assembled the cluster...  mounted it, mounted the ash tray and all that jazz...      will post photos tomarrow...     My cluster is not a "resto" so I only repainted my old fascia pieces - figure I did not need to spend the $$$ for repop bezels...   

[69*F5*SE]

It's looking good in the pics.   

[mikepmcs]

Man, that looks better than factory.

[Rolling_Thunder]

Thanks for the compliments guys - and for all of those who don't think you should powder coat the dash frame I'm sorry but you cant beat it for sheer cleanliness and uniform appearance...   I find painting semi-gloss is had to get "even looking" over a large expanse...     

Today I went searching for and found the rest of my dash pieces...     Map light, the fascia block off plate, and all the hardware...      I located my dash pad...   up in the rafters of my garage behind all the big heavy stuff...    figures...    but overall I'm starting to make big jumps as far as progress goes.

[Long Island RT]

Lookin good 

What vinyl dye product did you use?