Thanks! I would like to drive it tomorrow, but I want it done my way. It’s a process.
David
CK5
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The Willomet Charger
- Thread starter AgDieseler
- Start date
A desecration to Mopar nuts everywhere, this is my protouring, LS-powered, 1970 Dodge Charger; built at my shop, Willomet Motor & Fabrication.
David
Working more on the patch, I just decided to order the door post pillar from AMD. I’ll weld in just the portion I need, and in the meantime make progress on the passenger rocker beam.
David
David
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Glad to share. I enjoy the build process, and am learning a lot. My only frustration is a busy day-job and travel schedule makes it difficult to maintain focus. My next two side-gig jobs are delayed, so I'm trying to get in all the time I can.
David
You need to quit that bothersome day job so you can get some real work done on your projects
Next best thing: I’m planning a week of vacation in the shop. With a kitchen remodel underway, we’re not taking any big trips this summer, leaving me with lots of unused PTO.
David
Excellent! looking forward to seeing the post cards from your trip to the garage.
Passenger rocker beam welded and cooling. To keep the warp to a minimum, I put a 1/4” negative bend in the beam and do the normal weld spacing with an air quench. When done, I release the tension and the beam is almost perfectly straight.
The AMD pillar is now in stock, and I’ll cut it up to make the few patches I need.
David
The AMD pillar is now in stock, and I’ll cut it up to make the few patches I need.
David
Weekend plans:
Hopefully, this is the last time this side of the rocker beams see daylight.
David
Hopefully, this is the last time this side of the rocker beams see daylight.
David
And that is a shame since so much of the craftsmanship will never be seen. How much do you figure those puppies weigh?
They’re not light - about 44 lbs each.
Part of me wishes I had done the inner rocker plates out of 12ga, as that would have shaved almost 2 lbs per side, but 11 ga (.120) was readily available at the shop.
David
I don't think you will notice the difference between 42 and 44lbs per side, that is like ordering a diet coke with a double meat, double cheese pan pizza. Go big!
Rockers are in, and at one with the unibody, along with the new mid-crossmember.
I’ll have to modify it to make room for the driveshaft and exhaust, but there’s plenty of time for that.
I took the whole day - 10 hours - to get everything perfectly level and square and parallel.
Worth it.
David
I’ll have to modify it to make room for the driveshaft and exhaust, but there’s plenty of time for that.
I took the whole day - 10 hours - to get everything perfectly level and square and parallel.
Worth it.
David
...and where I ended up on the rear frame cut. I still have to trim a bit, and you can see the dykem.
David
David
That has merit. You’d likely get to drive it before I finish this.
Incidentally, I’m willing to sacrifice new and major upgrades on the truck (which cruises and wheels just fine) in favor of getting the car to a point where I can drive it before becoming an old man.
Perfect can be the enemy of Good.
David
Here's what I'm thinking about for reinforcing the factory 14ga rails.
Old school rally dudes would fully plate a frame in 1/8", which is as much about stiffening as it is about sustaining loads of abuse. I don't like the corrosion risk that would come from plating the entire frame, let alone all the added weight that comes from relying purely on material strength. And so, overlaying a truss design similar to the above is what I'm thinking, as increased beam strength is the main objective.
I think the rightmost pattern is what I'll apply across the whole of the rail.
David
Old school rally dudes would fully plate a frame in 1/8", which is as much about stiffening as it is about sustaining loads of abuse. I don't like the corrosion risk that would come from plating the entire frame, let alone all the added weight that comes from relying purely on material strength. And so, overlaying a truss design similar to the above is what I'm thinking, as increased beam strength is the main objective.
I think the rightmost pattern is what I'll apply across the whole of the rail.
David
That would do the job for sure!
