1963 Dart 170 2 Door Post Resto

So, been away from the car for a while again. Finally got an hour to get things staged and ready to go back at it. Will be a week away though as I leave this friday to pick up the wife's new project truck, and spend a few days with family and friends while we are at it. Was going to rent a uhaul trailer to bring the truck back but after thinking a bit we decided to buy a car trailer. Got it cheap, good base, just needed new boards and a little cleanup. Or that was the "plan". As I've said before I just cant leave well enough alone...lol.

Took the boards off and found a couple braces that were not to my liking so I cut them out. Then, after looking, I wasn't totally happy with the cross braces being only 1x2 tube steel. That's where things kinda went off the rails..lol. Stripped out all the cross braces leaving only the outer frame. Welded in a reinforcement the entire length of the sides (2 1/2 square tube fully welded along the 2x4 existing), and upgraded all the cross braces to 2 inch tube and 3 2 1/2 (what I could find from my metal guy...sells his metal at scrap value...super cheap, just have to look for what you need. Most is new metal, cleaned up from factories and job sites, just inventory is always fluxuating). After that added a reinforcement to the front tounge (plan to add a winch mount later, this was just pre-emptive to be ready for that). All in all I only added about 300lbs to overall weight, but way stronger, shouldn't really affect overall payload much). Got a pair of new fender super cheap, which was good as the originals were hammered to $%#@, but they were too long so we shortened them. My wife was super happy as she got to do some welding (I have always promised to teach her. She did really well). Added jacks to the rear to stabilize the rear for loading and made new 6ft ramps. Had to replaced brake assemblies and drums as they were garbage (supposedly in good condition if you believe previous owner...but aren't they always). Finally all new lights, side rails and boards as well as tie downs all topped off with a new coat of paint and we are off to the races so to speak.

Super happy with how it came out. As good as a new trailer. Took it out for a shakedown run today. Not a vibration or a rattle. I was able to move it around by myself so I know it rolls super easy. Will be a pleasure to haul. Truck didn't even know it was there.

Photos to follow shortly