Where to start on metal work...

Revenant · Mar 29, 2019

Hey guys,

I have a 68 Charger I will be starting on this year. The frame is solid, but it needs pretty much everything. Quarters, Roof skin, Dutchman, tail panel, trunk, floors, etc. I do not have a chassis jig or anything. Currently it’s a bare rolling shell. Quarters and roof I’ll probably have a professional do, but I think my brother and I can tackle floors, trunk, etc. Where is it best to start?

dadsbee · Mar 29, 2019

..with building that frame jig for it to sit on BEFORE you tear anything off.

jamie · Mar 29, 2019

And put wheels on it so you can get it outside to blast it.

68Moparmaniac · Mar 29, 2019

Since your asking I gather you haven't done much in the way of major body work before. I agree with dads, this is something you don't want to cut corners on or you'll quite possibly end up with a big steaming pile and heartburn... If your competent welder/metalworker you can do it. If you think your way around the job and don't get in a hurry, don't go welding **** on until you test fit corresponding panels and components. Not to be a dick but its a 68 Charger your talking about...just sayin
Good Luck !

R413 · Mar 29, 2019

A half and half labor job like you are proposing won’t turn out too good. All these parts connectt to each other, they need to go on one after another, and be fitted in the process.

When it is apart it will need blasted as you will uncover more problems.

It needs to be on a jig to hold it in plac. Are you going to have the pro come to your shop? Or move it in middle of the work?

Revenant · Mar 29, 2019

I didn’t mean doing half of the external panels. I figured I could get the front and rear floors done before taking it in. I just don’t want it to shift and end up with lawn art. I have a guy that does metal work and has experience with these. He will likely be doing 95% of this car if he is up for the challenge. I am just trying to figure out a game plan, rough order in which to buy panels. I would probably have it at his shop and have him do work gradually.

JimCoronette · Mar 29, 2019

Revenant said:
Hey guys,

I have a 68 Charger I will be starting on this year. The frame is solid, but it needs pretty much everything. Quarters, Roof skin, Dutchman, tail panel, trunk, floors, etc. I do not have a chassis jig or anything. Currently it’s a bare rolling shell. Quarters and roof I’ll probably have a professional do, but I think my brother and I can tackle floors, trunk, etc. Where is it best to start?

I would replace one section at a time in the following order, that way the rest of the car is holding everything together.

one piece floor pan
one piece trunk pan (have to remove the taillight panel)
tail light panel
trunk floor extensions
roof
wheel houses
quarters
dutchman

jamie · Mar 29, 2019

Just remember, the body is essentially part of the frame and if you install things crooked the external panels won't fit right and you will have a mess. Be careful jigging it up as it sits because with rotted metal you may already have a crooked mess. It may be best to get measurements off a good solid car then compare them to your measurements.

68Moparmaniac · Mar 29, 2019

jamie said:
Just remember, the body is essentially part of the frame and if you install things crooked the external panels won't fit right and you will have a mess. Be careful jigging it up as it sits because with rotted metal you may already have a crooked mess. It may be best to get measurements off a good solid car then compare them to your measurements.

Good advice

greycharger · Mar 29, 2019

Do the factory manuals show measuring points? (enclosed is a blurry indoor winter photo of the car I am currently doing)
Being unibody, there is a chance that your Charger has sagged or twisted from rust. I would talk to a shop that does frame straightening and see about making sure it is at factory specs and then add a whole bunch of bracing to keep it square as things as large as a floor is removed and replaced.
I'm currently working on a convertible that will end up on a rotisserie, so before removing it from its frame, I welded x-frames in the door openings and across the passenger compartment to keep the rockers from bending when I replace sections of the floors. Being a little British car, my rotisserie is a pair of engine stands. It's a Rover V8 in a Spitfire.

Lets Roll · Mar 29, 2019

I did the rear quarters and trunk area first. I was soooo sick of that area by the time I was done. The whole back half of the car was new due to cans of worms that were opened.

Demonic · Mar 29, 2019

Jig, brace, measure twice cut once. Use the same tape measure, or old-school folding rule.

Where to start on metal work...

Revenant

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dadsbee

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jamie

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68Moparmaniac

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R413

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Revenant

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JimCoronette

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jamie

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68Moparmaniac

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greycharger

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Lets Roll

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Demonic

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