Another 68 Charger has left the US

[41husk]

Good helper.  Wish I had one of those!

[440]

   Pretty soon he'll be asking for money

[Darkman]

Too late for that!

[Darkman]

Pulled out the windscreen (boy those window clips sucked balls!)



The previous owner just cut the vinyl roof around the trim and then stuck in a lot of sealer  to stop the leaking.....what a mess!

The dash frame is out. Now ready for some cutting and shutting






Can any one give me pointers on how to remove the windscreen wipers? They won't budge!

[charger Downunder]

Underneath there is a clip pull it back and get a big screw driver and a piece of wood to lever off and push down hard  on the screw driver and watch them fly.

[Bob T]

Whew Darko, man, you're really into the tear down now 
When you pull the drivers side aircon/plenium vent out, get plenty of pics can ya, my panelbeater mate reckons thats where most of my leaks are coming from, lilkely will make a new gasket and setup
Cheers

[Darkman]

Will do!

Thanks Charger Downunder. I saw the clip, just didn't use enough grunt

[Darkman]

Well, on the inside she is down to her briefs





Lots of surface rust caused by damp insulation



















Starting to get nekkid!













Getting ready to take of the roof skin. There's a bit more rust than I was hoping for on the LHS. Damn stupid vinyl roof  

[dodgey68]

that would be a little dissapointing, but its all repairible, how is the rest of the roof, its coming along ,, 

i knew of another 68 here in vic, he had to replace the roof it was like your rusty area all over the roof,

[Darkman]

Let's just say the roof can have a sun roof put in it without much cutting at all

I'll take a few photos of the roof before I take it off

[nvrbdn]

have you located a doner or skin yet?

[Darkman]

have you located a doner or skin yet?

When I bought the car, I also bought a roof skin from Tamraz (AMD roof skin) and shipped it over with the car.

What I desperately need is a small patch where the sail panel meets the quarter panel right behind the rear quarter window (see photo below)



Any one willing to sell me a smallish patch about 8inches x 12inches (enough to replace those nasty holes)?

[nvrbdn]

if i find anything around here i will let you know.

[Darkman]

if i find anything around here i will let you know.

Thanks mate!

[Darkman]

Well, my Charger takes her hat off to you!





This is what the roof skin looked like. Did I mention how much I HATE vinyl roofs  




De-rustyfying (hey that's me!)




The finished product. Now ready for paint before the new skin goes on!






The drip rails are badly rusted....they may have to go!

[nvrbdn]

if you dont find the small patches, i have a lower quarter patch panel i can cut up and send pieces of for those spots. you could shape it over the spot before cutting it out. then weld it in. just a thought.

[Darkman]

Thanks for the offer. I will see how we go. The driprails are toast in areas, so I will need to get a body expert to have a look at what can be done. While he is there I'll ask about the sail panel. Hang on to those pieces for the time being 

On the passenger's side (soon to be driver's side  ), The rear quarter was removed and replaced. It was cut and tuck under the sail panel and tack welded in. That explains why that panel has rusted the way it has. I may even get new rear quarters both sides yet. Still not sure. I will have to take them back to bare metal before I make that decision though!

[Darkman]

Just ordered the RHD conversion modification to the K frame  

This also allows me to attach a rack and pinion steering rack

[doctor4766]

Nice work happening there Darkman.

I'm still a lil sad to see the conversion being done though.
It's a little like how I'd feel if I heard that Angelina was getting a sex change 

[Fred]

Coming along nicely Darkman. Don't forget to take a breather occasionally. 

[cavemanno1]

Nice work darkman

I bet you wouldn't choose to convert her rhd if you had a choice and must be a pias but what's gotta be done gotta be done!Most of the time these stupid regulations make no sense imo!

Keep up the good work

Peter

[doctor4766]

South Australian regulations have never made sense.
How can I drive my Charger LHD here in WA and make any mods I want (within reason of course) yet just over the border in SA, Darkman has to keep his car completely, absolutely and positively original unless he changes to RHD? Then he can do what ever the hell he likes to the car.
Surely the car should be safer in it's originally engineered LHD guise rather than some backyard conversion? No offense to you personally Darkman, Im just talking in general about converted cars.
So after the car steers from the RH side of the cabin, now the aftermarket wheels, suspension, stereo and paintjob are safer.

[AirborneSilva]

Looking good there Darkman  keep up the good work and keep the pictures coming.

[Bob T]

Hey Darko, here's the clip of "How the taillights work" like you wanted, its a little way off for you yet though, but all progress is forward progress.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emiEutki-do&feature=youtu.be


Edit; Might do a better one in the twilight, close to getting it complied now anyway

[Darkman]

Thanks Kelvin! The reason I asked for this is because I'm completely rewiring the car from scratch and just wanted to see the configuration of the lights.

Also thanks to the rest of you for the compliments/comments. It is a shame about the conversion, and Doc I also can't see how aftermarket wheels, stereo, headers etc change the safety of the vehicle, but unfortunatrly, they are the rules (either comply or move). All tolled, the RHD conversion will cost me $500.00 (for a new steering column and parts) + $1,000 for an engineers report. I'm not including the K Frame modification (which is $600 + $400 delivery to Sydney and back) and guages, aircon, brakes because this was all going to happen regardless of RHD conversion (updgrade to new and convert to Rack and Pinion). The car was always going to be a "restomod" and wouldn't have mattered which side the steering wheel was on.

The conversion will be completely engineered, approved and signed off. The good thing about those brackets is that they have already been approved for use in SA.

Watch this space....Soon will be some more work done and the engine is a week away from being picked up!