1969 charger 440 4 speed

[Slantscamp]

Hey guys. So I test fitted the floor pan today. It’s a pretty good fit. I used sheet metal screws starting at the center of the transmission tunnel and worked my way out lining up the flange as I went. Then attached at the crossmember the same way. Once I was happy with the fit, I went under the car and traced the frame rails onto the floor pan. Now I just need to drill a bunch of holes and paint the insides of the frame rails. Hopefully I can start welding the floor in next weekend.

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

Glad to see you are doing this car right.
When I did my 68 Coronet R/T I was fortunate to have good sheet metal everywhere but the trunk floor and extensions. Followed the same process you are and it came out great.
The most sheet metal I had to install on one car was a 65 Buick Special Convertible that had sat outside for years with no top. Had to level the car and weld in bracing to hold it together while replacing inner rocker panels, floor supports, entire floor, wheel wells, trunk floor and rear quarter panel.
This stuff is definitely time consuming because you have to take it step by step in order to do it right.
Looking forward to watching your progress.

 

[Slantscamp]

This stuff is definitely time consuming. I try to get out in the garage after work and tackle something but that doesn’t always happen. Yesterday I painted the inside of the frame rails with por-15. Today when I got home, I just wanted to take a shower and sit in the air conditioning.

 

[JB400]

Looks good.

 

[Slantscamp]

Hey guys. Not much progress the last few weeks. Ended up getting strep throat and then having to work overtime. I did manage to get all the surfaces prepped and all the holes drilled in the floor pan. Going to start welding it in tomorrow. I’m getting there!

 

[JB400]

At least you got something accomplished. Looks good

 

[Slantscamp]

Well in the last month I’ve managed to get the floor pans installed. Everything fit pretty good. My subframe connectors and torque boxes from uscartool have arrived and I’m getting ready to install those. I made some wood stands so I can set the car on it’s suspension and still get it up in the air.

 

[Slantscamp]

Well I managed to get the charger up on my stands and got the driver side subframe connector trimmed to fit the floor. I will have to work on the passenger side during the week.

 

[JB400]

Looks good.

 

[moparnation74]

Coming along very nice...you have done some great work!

 

[Slantscamp]

Well it’s been a while since I posted any progress. It’s been a busy couple of months and I haven’t gotten to the charger much. Subframe connectors are welded in and my goal is to have the torque boxes installed before the end of the year. I just want to be done grinding and welding. I did get some new parts for the car though.

 

[Johnpat]

Welcome from Missouri, glad you're with us

 

[Slantscamp]

Well I have been slowly working on the charger. Just trying to get all the dirty work done so I can start putting on shiny new parts. I got the floors all painted and pulled the front suspension out. Now I’m going to strip the engine bay to repaint it and clean/paint the wheel wells before I bolt the new suspension in.

 

[Johnpat]

Looked good so far

 

[Slantscamp]

I’ve been slowly making more progress, I got the front wheel wells painted and pulled the heater box out so I can finish stripping the paint in the engine bay. Then I will paint the engine bay and start bolting some new parts on. I can’t wait. I did notice some surface rust up under the dash that I will clean and paint with por15

 

[Slantscamp]

Well I got my engine bay all stripped down and painted. That was a lot of work but worth it once it was done. One step closer. Now I can start thinking about an engine and transmission.

 

[70B5Cuda]

Looks great! What did you use to strip/prep the inside of the frame rails?

 

[Slantscamp]

Just wire wheels on a drill and sand paper. No fancy tools here

 

[whayden2003]

Wait what??? What kind of wire wheels u got??

 

[Slantscamp]

I used wirewheels and wire cups on the insides of the frame when I pulled the floor pans and trunk pan out. The only frame railes I didn’t clean the inside of are the fronts. Everything in the engine bay was stripped with wire wheels and then sanded with 150 grit, then degreased and sanded with 220 by hand. Then degreased again and painted. All the frame rails were super clean inside. Just a little surface rust at most. I did spray Eastwood internal frame coating in the front rails.