70 Road Runner convertible project

[chargervert]

Well I got back on the Road Runner convertible today,and as usual its one step forward,10 steps back. I got the seatbelt mount nut and the plate I made for it welded in,it came out good. Then I welded up the rust on the seat mount braces,three of the four needed welding.one I had to fab a piece of steel to fix the rust. All four are now ground down,and are ready to receive the new floor pan. Then I cut the rest of the right rear foot well floor pan out,and the drivers floor pan out. Thats when I found that the torque box is toast,and about 8 inches of the inner rocker behind the torque box is rotted out too.The lower splash shield gusset brace was rotted,so I asked a friend of mine if he has one,and he does,so I can get that from him,but I am going to have to get a new torque box gusset,and cut out that inner rocker,and fab a new piece of the inner rocker out of the 1/8 inch plate. I hope that the day comes when there is no more rust to fix! I hope I live to see that day! Pictures to follow!

 

[chargervert]

Pics of seat brackets, and seat belt nut plate welded back into the rocker panel.

 

[chargervert]

Newly discovered drivers side inner rocker rust,rotted torque box, and rotted lower cowl splash shield gusset! There's always more rust to repair,in case I was bored!

 

[ct71rr]

I feel your pain! Every time I think I'm making progress, I find a little more rot to deal with. It's a labor of love I guess. Keep up the good work and updates. This is going to be really nice when done!

 

[chargervert]

Thanks,I appreciate the encouraging words,I need all the encouragement I can get to keep plugging away on the car! I have had to step away and regroup a couple times on it. Because the car is a convertible,the rockers have to be 100%. I think I am going to take a break from it today,and do a few things to the Sixpack Charger. I Checked Resto Ricks website,and he gets $219.00 for the front torque boxes,so I am going to order new ones,andI have to go to my friends house in Connecticut and get the drivers side splash shield gusset brace. Then I will fab up a new piece for the inner rocker panel and weld it in.

 

[3white74]

Go ...re-pete go

 

[ct71rr]

I'm doing my first resto and find it can be overwhelming at times. I try to break it down into small projects, like focusing on getting the crossmember replaced and try not thinking about getting the floor in next. That is the next project, etc. If that makes sense. I find it helps with the "oh crap, how am I ever going to get this back together" feeling. I also walk away if things start going sideways on me. Take a break, regroup and re-attack (re-pete). That sounds a little re-pete-itive.

 

[440+6]

I have been following, not saying much, but I cant hardly believe your dedication.
perhaps my ultimate car, cant wait to see it done.
Your work is nothing less than inspirational, I wish i could do just some of that ****.
you are indeed supper cool.
rock on my brother!!!!

 

[chargervert]

I really thank you guys for the kind words, this car has been kicking me pretty hard in the nuts these days, and I really need some inspiration to forge on with the project! I got a much needed boost today, on the car, when I went to see my friend Chris who sold me the car, and picked up the Air Grabber hood for the car. First thing, before I get into the hood, I want to thank Chris for his patience with me, and letting me make payments on the car and the hood, he is the type of guy that this hobby is all about, and I am hoping to make him proud that I went the distance to save this once mighty Mopar drop top! That said, I got the hood, which is a new AMD piece, with a decent under hood air cleaner shroud, the actuator, actuator mounting bracket, the complete flap and linkage assembly, the vacuum canister, the hoses and switch, the 70 b body lower dash bezel with the correct cutouts for the air grabber switch and 4 speed reverse light, the air grabber door, and the back of the hood insert with the turn signal indicator lights! This takes the car to a whole new level! Between paying off this hood,and paying for the transmission rebuild for the V code Charger R/T,I have bought myself enough stuff for Christmas,and need to start shopping for the rest of the family! Lol

 

[chargervert]

Better pictures of the air grabber hood and associated parts.

 

[chargervert]

The Road Runner convertible project,took my 71 Challenger convertibles spot in the garage,so I had the car wrapped up in two car covers and a tarp. My friend offered to store the car for me for the winter,so today I brought it to his garage and we put it away for it's winter slumber. Just in time,before the big snow storm gets here this week! Good friends are what this hobby is all about!

 

[tnfastback]

Just went through your build and it looks like you are making good progress. That is going to make an awesome ride.

 

[chargervert]

Thanks,I am hoping to get the ugly stuff tended to this year. When it gets to the point that I need a sanity break,I go do something to the 70 Sixpack Charger R/T.

 

[tnfastback]

I also have another build going that was actually close to completion two years ago when it got sidetracked due to trying to trade work out with the engine builder. I got pissed and focused all my attention to the Roadrunner. Sometimes I wonder why we like this insanity

 

[chargervert]

I am definitely a glutton for punishment with this one, but when it gets done I will be cruising with the roof down! Much like I do in the Challenger and Charger convertibles!

 

[chargervert]

I went out to the garage today to find the floor jacks I had supporting the rockers had lost pressure due to the extreme cold,so I jacked the car back up,and checked all the measurements,and put it on jackstands. Then I used blocks and shim shingles to keep the appropreate amount of pressure on the rockers to keep things true. I will double check all the measurements before welding the floor pan in permenently.

 

[chargervert]

I hope to get something done on the car over the weekend. I have to take some time to give the garage a good cleaning, it's getting hard to move around in there. It's 20 degrees in there too, so that's not helping to motivate me!

 

[HawkRod]

... It's 20 degrees in there too, so that's not helping to motivate me!

Agree. It's always tough to get motivated when its really cold. Plus, tools get really cold, it is hard to hold nuts and bolts with gloves, etc.

 

[chargervert]

I was in the garage tonight,and I rechecked the measurements and repositioned the jackstands I am within an 1/8 inch of perfection,so just a little tweak before the floor goes in. I like the gaps on convertibles to be open a tad at the top of the door jambs because they close up when the car is on its wheels.

 

[JackR]

I was in the garage tonight,and I rechecked the measurements and repositioned the jackstands I am within an 1/8 inch of perfection,so just a little tweak before the floor goes in. I like the gaps on convertibles to be open a tad at the top of the door jambs because they close up when the car is on its wheels.

yes, exactly what I (we) did on mine gaps are perfect result.