1968 charger rear frame rail replacement question

[70-74 Cuda]

I have been messing this rear frame rail for a while and I can't figure why my rear passenger frame rail is higher than my driver side.

 

[70-74 Cuda]

Do I need to loosen the torsion bar or something??

 

[SGTPaul]

Should be the same height on both sides. See attached diagram. Or do you mean the cross member? If you frame rails are the same height the the cross member could have been installed crooked. Or maybe car was in an accident?

 

[R/T Boy 67]

If it left the factory that way, it wouldn't be the only time.

 

[70-74 Cuda]

Should be the same height on both sides. See attached diagram. Or do you mean the cross member? If you frame rails are the same height the the cross member could have been installed crooked. Or maybe car was in the

Should be the same height on both sides. See attached diagram. Or do you mean the cross member? If you frame rails are the same height the the cross member could have been installed crooked. Or maybe car was in an accident?
View attachment 1755608

The frame rails are the same height but when I go install the trunk floor brace the bumper holes won't line up with the bumper

 

[70-74 Cuda]

If it left the factory that way, it wouldn't be the only time.

I'm not too sure if it did or not.

 

[70-74 Cuda]

Here is another pic of it. See how uneven the rear is.

 

[SGTPaul]

What side aligns correctly with the bumper holes? Also measure from the top lip of the tail panel down to the trunk floor at the same location on opposite sides (L & R). Farther apart the better. Should be pretty close to the same dimension.

 

[eldubb440]

it doesn't matter why.....the leaf spring pressure may be pushing it up as you undo the sheet metal

you need to anchor the end of the rail to the the floor and jack up at the front of the rail. it will move easily if you already have the sheet metal separated. just make everything square and level when you eyeball the back of the car. make sure the dutchman is parallel with the roof, and then the tail light panel, and the rear crossmember

 

[davek]

And make sure you weld those corner on before you do your tail panel and valance.

 

[eldubb440]

it occurred to me that it's possible the other rail needs to go up instead, which would be the opposite of everything I typed above........ deal with it, and screw it together at least...... the sheet metal will tell you what you need to know.

 

[eldubb440]

thinking out loud here....... try putting a floor jack under the cross member and put a little pressure on it....... you may be able to jack it into place (with your new metal installed) and secure it with clamps or screws until welded......... this stuff moves easily when the metal is separated

this should have been my first reply

 

[70-74 Cuda]

it doesn't matter why.....the leaf spring pressure may be pushing it up as you undo the sheet metal

you need to anchor the end of the rail to the the floor and jack up at the front of the rail. it will move easily if you already have the sheet metal separated. just make everything square and level when you eyeball the back of the car. make sure the dutchman is parallel with the roof, and then the tail light panel, and the rear crossmember

View attachment 1755683

Yea i need to find a way to have to rear passenger frame rail pulled down

 

[eldubb440]

Yea i need to find a way to have to rear passenger frame rail pulled down

are you sure it's high? and the other one isnt low?

 

[eldubb440]

lay the trunk pan in there and take a picture, put a screw or 2 into the crossmember to hold it down tight

you using a one piece pan? i dont see it going in with the tail light panel in place

 

[70-74 Cuda]

I'm using a 1 piece floor pan

 

[70-74 Cuda]

I already weld the truck floor pan in

 

[eldubb440]

what connects the tail light panel to the trunk pan? I've yet to construct a charger, what are we missing?

edit....... stole this from Dave....... where's the rest of it?

 

[70-74 Cuda]

what connects the tail light panel to the trunk pan? I've yet to construct a charger, what are we missing?

The rear valance connects the tail light panel to the trunk floor

 

[eldubb440]

ah, I see....... when you piece it together, it'll be obvious........ if the rail is high, its a little more of an issue; but they do move easily