"Rookie-Touring" '69 Dart

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In the midst of my crazy thrash, I'm still having parts show up. It was recently put up or shut up time. I've made some comments on other threads about Mopar guys having a bit of a reputation for wanting trick stuff like is available to the "other guys" but not wanting to fork over the long dollar. I've also been trying to get someone to build a set of sheet metal aluminum valve covers for the 3G Hemi and nobody will do it because it's too labor intensive and "Mopar guys won't pay the price for them". So, I recently had a chance at the only known pair (that I know of anyway) to currently exist, and I picked these up from Tim Bruning...
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These are the inner rocker panels I had Spohn bend up...
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Here are the lower control arms we built, have yet to put the mounts for shocks on...
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Stripped the car down to nothing, again...
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Built a rack for all my steel...
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And now I have a roller...
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Since that was my goal for this trip I guess I can go back to Switzerland now. Until Christmas 2011...
Just kidding!

The frame is now sitting in the car. I do have some warpage in both the front and rear rails but we should be able to get that fixed without too many problems...
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I need to get some better pics tomorrow but my camera battery was tot. Tomorrow I'm completely welding the inner rockers, pulling the chassis out and laying down some rust bullet on the soon to NOT be exposed areas, then reinstalling the chassis, welding it to the table and, Lord willing, fixing the warpage in the rails. Pretty happy with the progress and I still have time to make this car a roller before I leave. More, and better pics, to come... I would like to add that I wouldn't be this far in the build without the help of a couple great guys, Dave and Jeff. Thanks fellas, you are truly a blessing.
 
Hi Will....this is where the real "rookies" loose focus...become overwhelmed...and abandons the build...thanks for not lettin' us down.I really look forward to see what you come up with next.You must truely have some good back-up helping you...it sure makes it fun havin' the right buddies/talent to help....I know..I got the best w/ my brothers and they really are my brothers(except for HemiMark...he's adopted..you can tell by his hair).

I know your busy...but when you get a breather could you tell me what spindle you are using and what is the measurement between upper and lower balljoints (at the guestiment pivot points)....thanks Denny
 
Glad Tim got you those valve covers. They were on his display TT motor from SEMA a few years ago.

Nice to see your progressing
-Rob
 
Thanks for the comments guys. I do have some great support, but they are far less than back-up, they are partners in this endeavor. I'd be lying if I said I haven't felt overwhelmed and thinking I'm WAY out of my league. I'd also be lying if I said I'm in my league... Still, I keep plugging away because this is my dream and I'm not giving up on it. I'll get where I want to be, it may take longer than anticipated, but I'll get there. I've enjoyed the process so far and am learning a ton along the way.

Denny, the spindle I'm using is the stock 2003 Viper spindle. The measurement you want, is it just the straight line measurement from ball joint pivot to ball joint pivot OR do you want just the vertical difference between the two?
 
Will...the straight line measurement from ball joint pivot to ball joint pivot is what I'm looking for...

Thanks
denny
 
thanks...I was hoping they were taller.....actually i think they are shorter than the Mustang II
 
I was speaking with an engineer at Art Morrison and he was saying the design of the spindle is oddly similar to the Mustang II spindle.
 
I agree...you don't suppose those high priced engineers at Mopar just copied/varied the Mustang II design?...who da thunk it?
 
yeh...I'm just BS'n....it's late ..the wife and cat are both snoozin'...and I'm runnin' out of wisecracks.......have a good nite...and don't forget to post todays work for tomarrows viewing
 
Got a bunch done today. Welded the chassis into the car, welded the rear tubes in, finished straightening the front & rear rails, started cutting and mocking up the mounts for the front bumper, reset the rear suspension in order to measure for mounts. Also got the first set of front suspension mounts delivered today. The rest of my mounts should be in tomorrow. BIG thanks to Greg (chopsmitty) for helping with these. Here are a few pics...

I have thought a few times over the course of this build that I never expected to see my car look like this...
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The first step in putting together bumper mounts, these have a LONG way to go...
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Resetting the rear suspension and the rear tubes that have been welded in...
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And finally, the brackets Greg designed and cut for me. Tonight we took measurements for motor mounts as well as rear suspension. Still putting together a tube that will run between the LCA mounts...
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Sorry for the dark pics, my wife leaves and all of a sudden I can't work the camera?

Hopefully I have another great day tomorrow getting the UCA mounts welded in, more work on the front bumper mounts, starting the rear bumper mounts, and begin adding some additional rigidity to the back-bone of the chassis. All of a sudden that's a big list. More to come...
 
I'm curious....where do you get your inspiration from?(no dis intended)....I must be gettin' the wrong magazines or something....
 
A lot of ideas come from/adapted from/stolen from pro-touring.com and the many pro-builders that post their projects. A lot come from having 11 months a year to think and plan. No magazines are coming to Switzerland...

Having a great day so far! Got the front UCA brackets welded in (waiting on a threaded tube in order to get the LCA brackets welded in). Welded in some floor supports as well. Planning for tubing up some additional back brace structure and will begin bending that up tomorrow. Tonight the remainder of my brackets will be here (motor mounts/plates, rear suspension) and we'll get the rear suspension in tomorrow. I had to take one of my rear assemblies to a shop today because I couldn't get the CV shaft out and that made it VERY difficult to jig. Tonight I'll rejig that side of the suspension so it's ready for attaching the brackets tomorrow. I will be working on sexifying my front bumper mounts this afternoon and hopefully get those finished so I can put the core support back on the car. Lots to do so I gotta bust outta this forum...
 
Great work and your inspiring me to get some stuff done!
 
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