Started on the 72 swinger

[72SwingerJosh]

 

[72SwingerJosh]

I got the old perches off and the new ones moved in a 1/2” and welded on. I have them perfect but the factory ones where actually off a 1/4” on the one side.

 

[72SwingerJosh]

Here’s my broadcast sheet. Still in good shape. There was a mouse nest next to so I’m surprised it wasn’t chewed up or covered in mouse urine.

 

[CFD244]

View attachment 1715685100 View attachment 1715685101 View attachment 1715685102
I got the old perches off and the new ones moved in a 1/2” and welded on. I have them perfect but the factory ones where actually off a 1/4” on the one side.

Wow....Nice welds!

 

[CFD244]

I had to "tweak" my USCT torque boxes to make them look sexy. You'll figure it out as you go....A couple of relief cuts and re-weld and they fit fabulous. Keep up the good work.

 

[72SwingerJosh]

I cleaned up for and fitted the front torsion boxes and will do my rear ones tomorrow. I also picked up my center chunk from the gear shop today. I had it freshened up with new bearings, seals and clutches for the sure grip. The guy said to go tear it up lol. It has 3.55 gears and is a 489 case.

 

[72SwingerJosh]

Got the torque boxes in. I cold galved them for some extra rust protection. The car is a factory undercoated car so I got lucky there. I will respray the undercarriage after we paint the car with RestoRicks undercoat as it is the best match for the factory undercoating.

 

[CFD244]

Be careful when you are welding around the cold galvanizing spray as it may contain zinc, and that plays hell on you if you breath in the fumes.

 

[72SwingerJosh]

Be careful when you are welding around the cold galvanizing spray as it may contain zinc, and that plays hell on you if you breath in the fumes.

Yea it does. I put it on afterwards. I should be done welding now. Wasn’t a lot of metal needing welded in. Going to start body work now after I get the passenger doors windows out and the dash. Also going to drop out the gas tank and rear end. Now I can start really making some time on it.

 

[72SwingerJosh]

It’s been pretty cold this week so just got to work on the dart today. I got the rear end out and the gas tank dropped out too. I have the car on casters now so it moves around really easy.

It’s amazing how clean the metal is under the gas tank. You can still see all the original primer. They must of just shot paint and undercoat around the gas tank after it was installed.

 

[CFD244]

That car looks great underneath. Looking forward to watching your progress.

 

[72SwingerJosh]

That car looks great underneath. Looking forward to watching your progress.

Yea it’s pretty amazing for an almost 50 year old mopar to be this solid and to be all original. I got a good deal for my $3600.

 

[72SwingerJosh]

I got my seats back from the upholsterer today and my dash came in the mail too. I found the dash on eBay they are $297 free shipping. They only come in black so I will dye the vinyl blue. That’s what they do when you order a dash in a color and I figured I could dye it for less than the $100 they get too. I had the upholsterer make my covers and I picked out the cloth insert fabric. I had to get the vinyl from legendary because they where the only ones that carried it. It wasn’t cheap at $65 a yard. Legendary had the fabric for $120 a yard but I like this pattern better and it was only $30 a yard threw the upholsterer. I think they turned out great and it was $1000 cheaper than legendary. And I got all new foam, burlap, and cotton.

 

[CFD244]

Seats look awesome

 

[72SwingerJosh]

Seats look awesome

Thanks. I was happy but wasn’t sure how the headrests would come out since original ones where molded and you can’t get them anywhere. The guy did a good job for $600

 

[dartnlo]

Thanks. I was happy but wasn’t sure how the headrests would come out since original ones where molded and you can’t get them anywhere. The guy did a good job for $600

Was that for front and back? I already have my fabric and was wondering what it's going to cost.

 

[72SwingerJosh]

Was that for front and back? I already have my fabric and was wondering what it's going to cost.

Yea for front and back completely made the covers and put in new foam, cotton and burlap in the seats.

 

[dartnlo]

Yea for front and back completely made the covers and put in new foam, cotton and burlap in the seats.

Excellent! I'm only getting my front recovered but I'm thinking of having some subtle thigh and torso bolsters added for stability and comfort. My front seats were missing all of the trim bars but I got a set from a FABO member.

I'm so jealous of your rust-free 1972! Eagerly watching this thread.

Thanks!

 

[72SwingerJosh]

I got the dash out today and the rest of the doors gutted out too.

 

[72SwingerJosh]

Worked on the engine bay some today. I found a spot that need some metal spot welded in on the inner fender. I got it sanded down to bare metal and put a thin coat of self etching primer on it so it won’t flash rust. We will finish the body work on the patch and then do a two stage primer when we are done.

 

[72SwingerJosh]

Finished getting the engine bay sanded down to bare metal. Also started sanding on the passenger side. Plus I got my new torsion bars in the mail today. Hopefully I will have the car in color sometime in April.

 

[Moparone]

Are you sanding the body to bare metal? If so what grit are you using? Debating on having mine media blasted or sanding. It’s an original paint car, so should come off easily but I don’t want to sand out the body lines or leave too many deep scratches that may show down the road.

 

[72SwingerJosh]

I’ve been using a wire wheel on a 4 1/2” inch grinder. I was only taking the engine bay to bare metal and getting all the old paint off everywhere else with 40 grit. The wire wheel works great and is pretty quick. They are only $5 at harbor freight. I also used a 4 1/2” carbide abrasive pad from harbor freight too. We will seal the car with a two part epoxy primer to fill in any deep scratches if I get any then do the body work and block out the car and shoot it with a single stage primer then paint.

 

[72SwingerJosh]

Finally back on the dart after a crazy year of working 10 to 12 hour days 6 and 7 days a week. We got some parts in two stage primer and will be doing the body in the next couple of days.

 

[Brooks James]

I bought a 1972 duster V8 front k frame with welded on washer and with Kelsey Hayes disc brakes for $300 at Carlisle three years ago to use and I have a 1972 340 I traded a shot gun for that I had turned into a 416 stroker I’ll be putting into it.