Lookie what $5000 buys you....

[70chall440]

Its a tedious process to be sure, I had to repair the package tray and sail panels on my RR. looked like someone stored carpet in the trunk and rusted it all out. Still have to do the trunk gutters...

 

[Chargerjase]

Thank you. I'm having fun with it.
I saw that AMD has rear window glass for $220 plus shipping.

Check out ECS as well. Not sure about pricing, but their glass is guaranteed to fit.

 

[CR-MOPAR]

It is the vinyl top, man...I really hate what they do to these cars. They trap condensation, get rotten, crack, allow water to get in and then the rust begins. Once the rear window allows water through, the trunk rusts out.
I started making patches for the right side.

View attachment 916148 View attachment 916149
View attachment 916150

The bottom flange was too narrow for my liking so I made another patch.

View attachment 916152

This one extends down past the corner. It also wraps out of the channel and into the buttress/sail panel.

View attachment 916153
The metal in this patch is slightly thicker than the car's sheet metal or maybe it just feels that way because it is new.
The edges had to be sliced to allow me to bend and conform to the desired shape.
I don't claim to be an expert on this. I've patched lower quarters, floors, taillight panels and such but these compound curves are new to me.

My 68 valiant had vinyl top and the roof is perfect, this picture was taken probably 4 years ago. I removed all the vinyl since then. My 71 Roadrunner had a canopy top and is totally rotten, I have to replace A pillars, cowl and either patch or replace roof skin. Possibly need to replace the bracing underneath the roof skin. Obviously floor pan too.

 

[eldubb440]

when I bought my GTX in 85 the vinyl top was the nicest part of the car! it was perfect! ....... it broke my heart to peel it up in order to install a complete used 1/4 due to collision damage...... my roof is perfect to this day

 

[Kern Dog]

Vinyl tops.....
They may look nice to some people but I see them as an invitation to rust.

Not to worry, I'm on it....

 

[Kern Dog]

I've been using the glass trim to make sure that I'm close to the right shape with my patchwork.

Almost done. Just a couple more hours of welding and grinding. I'm going to need some new clips for the trim and of course, a window. I plan to epoxy prime the channel, level it out with some filler and high build primer and then seal it.

 

[eldubb440]

I'm sure if my car had sat outside for the next 35 years my roof would be toast...... I've replaced a few roofs

 

[Kern Dog]

The whole skin? That seems like a pretty big job what with all the spotwelds!

 

[eldubb440]

i prefer a solid donor with the inner structure, drip rails, and posts.......

 

[Kern Dog]

What is a post?

Ha ha...Yeah, I know that there are people that prefer the B pillar. I prefer the hard top style.

 

[eldubb440]

What is a post?
View attachment 916995 View attachment 916996 View attachment 916997

Ha ha...Yeah, I know that there are people that prefer the B pillar. I prefer the hard top style.

windshield post / A pillar

 

[Kern Dog]

Oh, okay.
Man...I have parted out and cut up several cars. The multi-layered steel in the A-pillars seems like it would be a hard thing to properly weld back together in terms of restoring factory rigidity.

 

[eldubb440]

Oh, okay.
Man...I have parted out and cut up several cars. The multi-layered steel in the A-pillars seems like it would be a hard thing to properly weld back together in terms of restoring factory rigidity.

post #120 in this thread ........ donor was cut short, but I always find a way to play the hand I'm dealt....... lol, remember to fight the urge to "overthink" it

 

[Kern Dog]

Window patches are done. I just need to clean up the welds a little more.

I kept test fitting the trim to make sure my patches and welds didn't shrink the opening of the window. The patches are either even with the surrounding metal or slightly lower. That is fine, I can work with that.

 

[Kern Dog]

Vinyl top trim holes are welded over.

I think that I am done welding for awhile. The next welding project would be the trunk floor and I won't have that until April. Ahhh...What do I do next ?
I could take the heads off of the 383 and see what the pistons look like, maybe see if the engine needs a valve job or rings. If so, maybe I'd set the engine aside and use a '71 440 that I have from a Chrysler 300 that I parted out 8-10 years ago. Not sure yet. A re-ring and bearing job on the 383 could be done cheap. Add in a new cam & lifters for either engine. I'd need an aftermarket 4 barrel intake for either engine. The 383 is the original engine to this car, that is one factor to consider.

 

[Chargerjase]

Are you going to remove the aftermarket speakers and weld the holes in the package tray, or leave them be?

 

[DeltaV]

Have you done a fit-check (yet) of the trim with the window sitting in place?

 

[Bb70charger500]

Looks good! Kern keep it going that was definitely not a easy patch to make !

 

[Kern Dog]

Are you going to remove the aftermarket speakers and weld the holes in the package tray, or leave them be?

When I replace the package tray, I'll assess what to do then. The cardboard is wasted so when I get the new one, I'll probably just install 6 X 9 speakers.
Looking underneath at the steel under the package tray on both of my cars, there are multiple openings that the factory put in. The package tray structure in this car has not been modified. Those small speakers are sitting in original holes in the steel.

 

[Kern Dog]

Have you done a fit-check (yet) of the trim with the window sitting in place?

No, I don't have a window to test fit...I accidently shattered the original when I tried to remove the trim. I need to replace all the trim clips too. I'll get all the stuff and do a mock-up before installing the clips.