70 Road Runner convertible project

[chargervert]

Today I started on the tortion bar cross member installation. It's good to replace a rotted crossmember, but the new part will only be as strong as what it is welded to. So I had to cut out a 4 1/2x 4 1/2 inch section of the inner rocker panel on the passenger's side, right where the crossmember was welded to, and replace it with new 16 gauge sheetmetal. I got that cut out, and the new piece welded in. I repaired a few minor spots,by welding them up on the drivers side. Then I had to prep the new AMD crossmember for installation, by drilling 10 holes in each side so I can plug weld it to the rocker panels. I also had to drill the ends of the drivers side front framerail so I can plug weld it to the crossmember. I made some good progress today. I also finished cleaning up the right front framerail,inner fender, and shock tower for installation. Now the fun of drilling out spot welds to get the old framerail out begins next.

 

[chargervert]

More pics

 

[chargervert]

You're not doing Mopar metal work unless you're bleeding! Lol

 

[3white74]

Blood sweat and beers ....all part of mopar restoration

 

[chargervert]

Today is a big day for the Road Runner convertible project! I cut out the inner fender, shock tower, and the right front framerail! I got the new framerail, shock tower and inner fender in place and tacked! A great day for the car This was the worst part of the car, and today it's gone! I'm going to tip a few brews to celebrate my success. It went exactly as I planned it,and the car didn't move, it's square and true and I measured it nine ways to Sunday, and it is exactly where it was! A good day!

 

[chargervert]

Those are the before pictures, these are the after pictures. The last one is part of the before pictures.

 

[chargervert]

Between this car,and the 71 Charger R/T, the scrap pile is growing fast!

 

[ct71rr]

Looks good! I’m starting to do my crossmember too. Any advice?

 

[chargervert]

It was not to difficult to change, the worst part was cutting the old one out. Make sure to support the car, and measure your door jamb openings before cutting the old one out. I cut a groove in the top of a couple pieces of 4x4 wood, so it would fit the pinch weld under the rocker panels. You can use the jack to raise or lower the car to achieve the correct measurements of the door jambs, then weld it in place, the same thing should be done with welding in the floor pans.

 

[3white74]

You are a pro at this...... Want to do some more on a ,70runner 4me

 

[chargervert]

Steve,right after I get the twenty of them I got,all done,we can start on yours! It looks like the Road Runner convertible,is getting some hand me down pieces from my 70 V code Charger R/T. It's getting the 8 3/4 3.23 sure grip rear end,and 4)15 inch original rallye wheels with tires. I got new wheels for the Charger,and replaced the axle with a 3.54 Dana 60. Hand me downs are good.

 

[3white74]

Yes sir

 

[chargervert]

At Steve's request that I stop working on the Dodge, and get my *** back to work on the Road Runner convertible project, I went back out to the garage and got some more rust repairs done on the car. I fixed the front of the torque box on the passenger's side first.

 

[chargervert]

I started the repair on the passenger's side of the cowl area next,these are the before pictures.

 

[3white74]

 

[chargervert]

These are the after pictures, everything still needs to be ground down, but the pieces are made fitted and welded in.

 

[chargervert]

The next thing to tackle is the front bottom of the door jamb. I have the piece to fix it,I just have to cut out the d one,and drill out the spot welds on the new piece going in. It's a double panel piece and has to be welded on the inside and outside to insure that both panels get welded solidly to the car for good structural integrity.

 

[Richard Cranium]

You got too many projects going on all at once!

 

[chargervert]

No doubt,but there's always something to work on!

 

[3white74]

I knew RC would join in eventually.....you guys can't be too far apart over there in mass and RI?