Hi all FABO members. Ive been a lurker here for awhile
actually since 2006. Ive had a 71 318 Demon, 72 340 Duster / 4 spd and now a 71 340 Duster.
I picked up the 71 Duster about 8 yrs ago and it has been in my garage since. Other priorities took over and I didnt do anything and it just sat there and took up garage space more like the wifes parking space. Lol now that I have some time, Im starting to work on the car and deal w/ the rust issues.
Background Its a 71 340 Duster (original H code), auto, 8 ¾ (3.55), bucket seats, A/C car. As far as I know, the engine is stock w/ the only aftermarket item being the carter carb on the stock manifold. The previous owner removed the column shift and installed a B&M floor shifter. It even has the original exhaust manifolds. Rust in the typical spots rear quarters, tail panel, lower rockers, doors, etc.
My original plan was to convert it to a 4spd (833) and modify an auto console to fit the 4spd. That may change and I may just leave it as an auto. But I do have most of the conversion parts as Ive been collecting parts since day one
Well the rude awakening Here are some pics
Tail Panel: I had another tail panel not as rusted as the original and I was planning to just remove/fix the tail light area. But upon looking at the extent of the rust, I just ordered a complete AMD tail panel. This is the picture of how it looks now. Ill be attacking at area after the other sections. Oh and also, the trunk gutters are shot but I ordered new AMD replacementstoo. BTW, ignore the tape and markings
Right Rear Quarter Panel: I used the refrigerator magnet to check on the bondo and decided to work on the rear quarter. This is a pic after some bondo removal and cutting away of the lower panel. The previous repairs were so terrible that I would estimate that there was at least ½ inch of bondo slapped on the lower quarter panel. I found a bunch of screws, wood dowel and other junk in the trunk!
So I removed the lower section and found that the truck extensions were not that good. Ill be repairing that w/ some sheet metal. Heres a pic of the extension and area that I cut away and the poster board pattern Im making.
The lower panel was purchased a while back and I just need to cut and trim to fit the quarter. Heres a pic of the trial fitting.
Right Door Jamb: Heres a pic of the door jamb that needed replacing. Worked on drilling the spot welds to remove the jamb. Finally got it out. I guess I got carried away w/ drilling... lol. BTW, check out the original repair w/ bubble gum
First pic is the jamb w/ the rusted/bondo section.
Previous bubble gum repair
Got the original jamb out and have my replacement one ready for trial fit. New jamb trial fit
Ill be painting the inside of the panel (and everywhere else possible) w/ POR15 prior to closing up the section. Some trimming of the AMD panels were needed but I have to say they fit really well.
Right Lower (front) Quarter Panel: Lots of rust there so I had to fabricate a patch panel. Heres the trial fitting of the patch panel. The screws are only temporary
Passenger Door: I removed the passenger door and initially thought I was going to just repair the lower skin. Upon closer inspection, the door was shot. Extensive rust throughout so it wasnt worth fixing. Luckily when I got the car, I got an extra door that wasnt as bad. I worked on the lower door skin but Im thinking that Ill just use the better door and weld on a better lower door skin. Or if Im lucky, I can pick up another door.
Sorry for the long post but thats where I am. I havent welded and worked on a project like this in years but its all coming back and I have to say its actually fun!
I want to finish this project, keep it AND get a new Challenger. Well see what the other half says haha all I know is that she wants the Duster out of the garage
MOPAR or NO CAR!
Thanks for putting up w/ my story and Im sticking to it haha
Dean
BTW, the photos only show the right side of the car as it's on jack stands now. AMD replacement panels I purchased include, lower quarters, tail panel, trunk gutters, door jamb. Also, Im in Hawaii and parts are EXPENSIVE and SCARCE!
I picked up the 71 Duster about 8 yrs ago and it has been in my garage since. Other priorities took over and I didnt do anything and it just sat there and took up garage space more like the wifes parking space. Lol now that I have some time, Im starting to work on the car and deal w/ the rust issues.
Background Its a 71 340 Duster (original H code), auto, 8 ¾ (3.55), bucket seats, A/C car. As far as I know, the engine is stock w/ the only aftermarket item being the carter carb on the stock manifold. The previous owner removed the column shift and installed a B&M floor shifter. It even has the original exhaust manifolds. Rust in the typical spots rear quarters, tail panel, lower rockers, doors, etc.
My original plan was to convert it to a 4spd (833) and modify an auto console to fit the 4spd. That may change and I may just leave it as an auto. But I do have most of the conversion parts as Ive been collecting parts since day one
Well the rude awakening Here are some pics
Tail Panel: I had another tail panel not as rusted as the original and I was planning to just remove/fix the tail light area. But upon looking at the extent of the rust, I just ordered a complete AMD tail panel. This is the picture of how it looks now. Ill be attacking at area after the other sections. Oh and also, the trunk gutters are shot but I ordered new AMD replacementstoo. BTW, ignore the tape and markings
Right Rear Quarter Panel: I used the refrigerator magnet to check on the bondo and decided to work on the rear quarter. This is a pic after some bondo removal and cutting away of the lower panel. The previous repairs were so terrible that I would estimate that there was at least ½ inch of bondo slapped on the lower quarter panel. I found a bunch of screws, wood dowel and other junk in the trunk!
So I removed the lower section and found that the truck extensions were not that good. Ill be repairing that w/ some sheet metal. Heres a pic of the extension and area that I cut away and the poster board pattern Im making.
The lower panel was purchased a while back and I just need to cut and trim to fit the quarter. Heres a pic of the trial fitting.
Right Door Jamb: Heres a pic of the door jamb that needed replacing. Worked on drilling the spot welds to remove the jamb. Finally got it out. I guess I got carried away w/ drilling... lol. BTW, check out the original repair w/ bubble gum
First pic is the jamb w/ the rusted/bondo section.
Previous bubble gum repair
Got the original jamb out and have my replacement one ready for trial fit. New jamb trial fit
Ill be painting the inside of the panel (and everywhere else possible) w/ POR15 prior to closing up the section. Some trimming of the AMD panels were needed but I have to say they fit really well.
Right Lower (front) Quarter Panel: Lots of rust there so I had to fabricate a patch panel. Heres the trial fitting of the patch panel. The screws are only temporary
Passenger Door: I removed the passenger door and initially thought I was going to just repair the lower skin. Upon closer inspection, the door was shot. Extensive rust throughout so it wasnt worth fixing. Luckily when I got the car, I got an extra door that wasnt as bad. I worked on the lower door skin but Im thinking that Ill just use the better door and weld on a better lower door skin. Or if Im lucky, I can pick up another door.
Sorry for the long post but thats where I am. I havent welded and worked on a project like this in years but its all coming back and I have to say its actually fun!
I want to finish this project, keep it AND get a new Challenger. Well see what the other half says haha all I know is that she wants the Duster out of the garage
MOPAR or NO CAR!
Thanks for putting up w/ my story and Im sticking to it haha
Dean
BTW, the photos only show the right side of the car as it's on jack stands now. AMD replacement panels I purchased include, lower quarters, tail panel, trunk gutters, door jamb. Also, Im in Hawaii and parts are EXPENSIVE and SCARCE!
