1969 Charger R/T resurrection

[CHARGERSTEVEN]

Its looking better every time you add another piece. Those rims n wheels sure make it stand out.you did a awesome job n it turned out to be a perfect combination.like many other your thread has been a good reference for a lot off us

 

[Duda]

Elk your car is amazing, great job and patients you have for all the wrong parts shipped to you. The paint and wheels are perfect. Good luck and great job again, enjoy your baby.

 

[hunt2elk]

I swear your car looks better every time you post, gotta be getting super close now? Again we share in our terrible luck, I got my wheels yesterday and they sent 7/16" lug nuts instead of 1/2.

I bet you got 20 of them though lol? Must something difficult selling the correct lug nuts. When I did my Roar Runner several years ago, I was sent all left threads and the order ticket even stated 20 1/2 x 20 right hand :eusa_doh:. Sounds like between the two of us we could write a book on the misadventures of car restoration. Waiting on my windshield guy, the rear door panel from Legendary, and the painting of the rear side marker bezels to match the stripe.

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Elk your car is amazing, great job and patients you have for all the wrong parts shipped to you. The paint and wheels are perfect. Good luck and great job again, enjoy your baby.

Thanks Duda. I'm to the point now that I just sit down and laugh when another thing goes array. Even the wife just shakes her head and asks "how can one person have so many issues on one project?" Not really sure how to answer that one.

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Its looking better every time you add another piece. Those rims n wheels sure make it stand out.you did a awesome job n it turned out to be a perfect combination.like many other your thread has been a good reference for a lot off us

Thanks Steven. I remember when mine was in the same state as yours and wondering if it would ever be put together again. 2 years later and it is just about there.

 

[69 GTX]

Very Nice!!

 

[HYRDGOON]

I just tuned in to realize the wheels are on.... GORGEOUS!! STUNNING!! BEAUTIFUL!!!

 

[hunt2elk]

Not to long ago Cranky replied to a thread on raising the front ends of our cars stating to never crank up the torsion bars with the weight of the vehicle on the tires. I've done this countless times with no problems, so what does he know, right? Turns out Cranky knows a whole bunch about front ends lol. Sunday night I was messing around with leveling the front end when all of a sudden the drivers side bolt let loose from the block. Pulled just about all the threads clean out. Scared the crap out of me, but I was fortunate that neither myself or the car was damaged. So lesson learned - always get the weight off before making adjustment to the bars. I got another used one installed this afternoon just so I could move the car around, but am buying a new set just to be safe.


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I think I have the rear wheels where I want them now. Passenger side is a 10" with a 5.5" backspace. The drivers side is a 5.75" backspace with a 1/8" spacer making it an effective 5 5/8. I wasn't going to put the spacer in, until my torsion bar adjuster incident. When the front end fell, the inside of the drivers side rear sidewall was just about touching the inner fender. Now I have the same distance on both sides.

 

[BigBlock61]

Dude that sucks about the torsion bar adjuster but D@mn that Charger looks mean!!!!

 

[roadrunnerman]

your car just looks like it's screamin' down the road even sitting still.

 

[71airgrabberRR]

WOW!!!! It is definitely looking sharp. The stance is just right too!!! Looking Good Elk.

It won't be too long now.

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Thank God you weren't under the torsion bar tensioning bolt when it launched.
That definitely would have left a mark.

 

[hunt2elk]

Thank God you weren't under the torsion bar tensioning bolt when it launched.
That definitely would have left a mark.

Actually I was under the car cranking the bolt in with a breaker bar when it let loose. I still can't believe with all the bad luck I've had with this car that I didn't get hurt.

 

[747mopar]

"Wow" can't believe it didn't seize or something instead of completely letting loose on you, that doesn't happen often.

 

[kiwigtx]

That is one awesome job on your Charger Joel. A very mean looking combo with the black and the rear stripes. I can't wait to see a video of the inaugural ride down the road...complete with a tyre fry-up :headbang:

 

[conv67bdere]

Actually I was under the car cranking the bolt in with a breaker bar when it let loose. I still can't believe with all the bad luck I've had with this car that I didn't get hurt.

Yeow H2E . . . that must have scared the S**T out of you . . . sure glad that you were not hurt.

Car is looking Fantastic - just about time for me to ask you again "Are we there yet ? " . . . ( smile ) . . . can't be too far off now . . .

 

[hunt2elk]

"Wow" can't believe it didn't seize or something instead of completely letting loose on you, that doesn't happen often.

What do you mean seize? I just grab a bigger breaker bar lol. Talking to Cranky afterwards, it makes sense with putting so much pressure on those fine threads. Definitely not common, but you know if something bad is going to happen - it will be to me.

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That is one awesome job on your Charger Joel. A very mean looking combo with the black and the rear stripes. I can't wait to see a video of the inaugural ride down the road...complete with a tyre fry-up :headbang:

Thanks Roger. Got the air cleaner sent off yesterday with an estimated delivery of Friday. Hope that makes the boat.

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Car is looking Fantastic - just about time for me to ask you again "Are we there yet ? " . . . ( smile ) . . . can't be too far off now . . .

Still haven't heard from my windshield guy. I'm guessing he is having a hard time finding that sealer product he wants to try.

 

[Mr.SpeedFreak]

Man I don't understand how your car looks better with every picture you post, looking tough as freakin nails Joel!

 

[hunt2elk]

Decided to buy a new pair of QA1 torsion bar adjusters. The blocks are a little thicker and the bolts slightly longer than stock, but I think it is for the better. And why not buy their upper control arm adjuster bolts at the same time, right? Might as well throw a little more $ at this black hole. Actually they advertised being able to get a little more adjustment over the factory cams, so I decided to give them a try. Honestly when comparing the originals to these new ones, I don't see a bit of difference in the cams. It sure is nice working on a clean car. I was able to get all this installed after work today.



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And the second package waiting for me after work was my new right side up rear panel from Legendary. Now I can get that and the rear seat installed when I get some extra time.

 

[CHARGERSTEVEN]

Its just testing you lucky they didnt let go when you were driving it down the road. Al; in all it looks real sharp

 

[Riverdawg]

That is an AWESOME Charger Elk. I cant' believe I hadn't come across this thread before. I quickly shot through a bunch of pages, you've done an awesome job. A friend of mine finished his 69 R/T a few years ago, Red paint, black vinyl top & interior. Your's and his are both the same High quality restorations. Excellent!!!!!

 

[MT_Mopar]

Glad you are OK and didn't get hurt with those torsion bar bolts, I've never heard of a problem like that, kind of strange. Those new ones look nice, might have to upgrade mine since I have my torsion bars pulled out right now. Thanks for the info.

Your wheels and whole car look awesome!

 

[hunt2elk]

It's been 2 years since the back seat has been in the car, its good to have it back.



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I found a tube of the windshield sealer we have been looking for at of all places the local Car Quest. Now I just have to wait till my windshield guy can get back over here to give it a try.