One Year Later

[Projekts]

So I bought my car a year ago. Since then I have spent a lot of time here reading up on how to fix the problems I've had. The help here has been invaluable to me, and I have also really enjoyed watching the progress as you guys fix your cars. So I figured it was time to stop mostly lurking and show you what I'm working on as well.

Thanks,
Justin

Here is what it looked like when I got it. It's a 1970 RT/SE

[Projekts]

I live in a San Diego where space is at a premium, so after it sat in my driveway about 5 months I moved it to my Father-in-Law's house. I fixed a lot of the interior parts during that time. So we took it mostly apart and I started bead blasting it to figure out what was under all of the Bondo.

I have been cutting, fabricating, and welding the body back together this summer. I have another shock tower for the passengers side ready to go in, all I have to do is lift the car. However it is about 115 degrees in the desert right now and I can't get anyone to come out and help out for an afternoon. Fortunately for me I have plenty of welding left to do on the roof, sail panels, deck filler panel. . .

[69bronzeT5]

Wow, you've been busy! Keep up the good work.

[captnsim]

Looking good 

[1969chargerrtse]

Thanks for sharing.  Great work. 

[69*F5*SE]

Cool project. Keep us updated, especially with some pics.  It's very inspiring.     Ted

[skip68]

    Great work.  Keep it going.

[The70RT]

Great car. Looks like you did a lot so far. 115.....DAMN  It has been hot here lately untill today....record lows tonight maybe  (upper 50's) It has been easily a 100 in my garage for the last month or so with high humidity. I may get back out there this weekend.

[Back N Black]

Nice work,keep the pics coming. 

[BB1]

I'll be living in San Diego in a few weeks, if you need any help give me a call. 
Charger man since 1983.

[Projekts]

Thanks Guys I really appreciate the words of encouragement. Really I'm just trying to catch up with you. I'll make sure to take loads of pictures.

Great car. Looks like you did a lot so far. 115.....DAMN  It has been hot here lately untill today....record lows tonight maybe  (upper 50's) It has been easily a 100 in my garage for the last month or so with high humidity. I may get back out there this weekend.

Upper 50's? I hope it stays cool for you long enough to keep your garage below 100, humidity is a real killer. I'm back in San Diego cooling off, officially waiting on some sheetmetal shipments before I go back and face the real heat again.

I'll be living in San Diego in a few weeks, if you need any help give me a call. 
Charger man since 1983.

Thank you I really appreciate it, I'll take all of the help I can get.

[terrible one]

Looking good man! Lots of stuff going on there. I can dig you on the heat and no one wanting to help you! Been 100-105 with 90% humidity most of my Charger days this summer 

[mopar73]

Keep up the good work   We always like pics

[Silver R/T]

lots of work done, dont quit now

[TiMopar]

Good job there fella! Hope you are going to keep it Green!

[Projekts]

So now I've been working on this car for almost a year and a half! Time really flies. Here are some of the sheet metal repairs that have occupied my time.

The usual battery tray rot on the inner fender, I got a new/old one and only had to repair the back corner behind the hinge and move the hole for the battery hold down.

[Projekts]

I had to replace the radiator housing because the lower corners had rotted out behind the brazing. I fixed the holes in the upper housing that had been drilled out by the former owner for hood-pins. After I welded it back together I realized I didn't put the sides behind the frame rail tabs.  

So I cut out and put it back together correctly.

[Projekts]

I got a shock tower to replace the shock tower that had been cut, but when I got it the A-arm bracket was rusted out and unusable. So I tracked down an A-arm bracket and got it back together.

[Projekts]

I had to cut out the lower rocker corner where the water runs out of the cowl. It's rusted out on both sides but only a few inches so I was able to form some sheet stock for the repair. I still have to do the driver's side but it wasn't nearly as bad as the passenger's side.

[BBKNARF]

You have a lot of work ahead of you, don't quit, at times it will be frustrating, but at the end you will appreciated, good luck and keep us posted. 

[Projekts]

After all of that I figured it was time to get it in some primer and test fit the panels.

I rebuilt the door hinges and added bushings to lower hinges, they open and close like butter.

[Projekts]

More.

[Projekts]

I had to track down some new/old hood hinges. When I got the springs off I realized that they were really locked up. After a few hours and a can of oil, I got them working pretty well.

[Projekts]

My gaps are looking pretty good on the passenger side, they are a little close but not too bad. The driver's side is the complete opposite, the gaps are too big. I didn't expect it to magically fit together at first, but one can always hope to get that lucky.

[1969chargerrtse]

Fantastic work.  Every time I see threads like this it makes me thrilled to know another beautiful 2nd gen Charger is saved.