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72 Challenger Saga #3230808
05/03/24 11:32 AM
05/03/24 11:32 AM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 153
Maryland
rhamson Offline OP
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rhamson  Offline OP
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Maryland
I have been trying to work around the bent frame in my 72 Challenger and determined to bite the bullet and replace it myself. I have been building a frame jig to replace the bent frame member with a new AMD front frame part. I got to the point of setting the posts when the NEW!!!! laser level I bought took a crap on me. Good news is that Amazon is refunding me the money and I am buying a different one with a good warranty. So hopefully it will last. Here are some pictures of the jig being fabricated and set up.

Frame Jig Test Fit.jpg
Here it is in the cutout and staging process.

Frame 2.pdf.jpg
And here it is before the NEW!!! laser level took a crap on me.

Re: 72 Challenger Saga [Re: rhamson] #3230814
05/03/24 12:54 PM
05/03/24 12:54 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 545
Washington, MI
Ashsdad Offline
Whatever you call me, my wife has called me worse.
Ashsdad  Offline
Whatever you call me, my wife has called me worse.

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 545
Washington, MI
Maybe a dumb question. I have seen a couple of these jigs and wondered how do you get the car up on to them?
CAMRacing on Youtube has a similar one for the Charger he is building, but he had pretty much just a partial shell. No idea how he will get it off when he is done.

Re: 72 Challenger Saga [Re: Ashsdad] #3230820
05/03/24 01:37 PM
05/03/24 01:37 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 153
Maryland
rhamson Offline OP
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rhamson  Offline OP
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Maryland
My son has a lift in his shop next door.

Re: 72 Challenger Saga [Re: rhamson] #3230854
05/03/24 06:03 PM
05/03/24 06:03 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 608
TN
1DGEMAN Offline
mopar
1DGEMAN  Offline
mopar

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Posts: 608
TN
I need to do the same for a Challenger I have. What are the specs on your jig? Also I see you said you are going to put it on the jig via a lift next door. How are you going to move it back to your shop?


Real Men shift for themselves
Re: 72 Challenger Saga [Re: rhamson] #3230978
05/04/24 11:59 AM
05/04/24 11:59 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,456
north of coder
moparx Offline
"Butt Crack Bob"
moparx  Offline
"Butt Crack Bob"

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Posts: 19,456
north of coder
nice work on the frame jig ! up
i made a similar setup when i designed and built the chassis for my '33 dodge "humpback" delivery.
to make the jig moveable, i used a set of 7" casters with solid tires i had laying around.
if a person is considering moving something like this around on a lumpy shop floor, or outside [like to put on a truck or trailer], the bigger the casters are, the better.
beer

Re: 72 Challenger Saga [Re: moparx] #3231225
05/05/24 07:53 PM
05/05/24 07:53 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,250
ILLINOIS
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volaredon Offline
top fuel
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top fuel
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ILLINOIS
I built one from scratch for my volare. The car's still hanging from it

Re: 72 Challenger Saga [Re: 1DGEMAN] #3231785
05/08/24 04:42 PM
05/08/24 04:42 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,235
Chicago, IL
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PLUM_72 Offline
pro stock
PLUM_72  Offline
pro stock
P

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,235
Chicago, IL
There's a company called 521 Restorations that has a blog on how to build these frame tables. They used a B-Body in the article, but perhaps one can get some tips on how to build this...
https://521restorations.com/blog/6670-b-body-frame-jig/


1972 Dodge Challenger
Re: 72 Challenger Saga [Re: 1DGEMAN] #3232013
05/10/24 09:02 AM
05/10/24 09:02 AM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 153
Maryland
rhamson Offline OP
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Maryland
It's 16'-6" long x 40" wide. The square tubing is 2"x2" with 2-1/2" for the cross over mounts and uprights with a slot to allow the 2"x2" to fit inside. Heat was the main problem so I would suggest you use 1/4" wall tubing to reduce its affect as I used 1/8" wall tubing. I used a laser level to align everything with a few shims. I haven't put the wheels on it yet that are 6" rubber covered steel wheel casters that I will use to wheel it around. The corners and middle have levelling 3/4" all thread that can be screwed with a wrench to level. I made it to sell it when I am done with it because I only needed it to replace a bent front frame member. It is adjustable up and down and the cross supports will slide back and forth which can be set by tapping holes to be screwed into the main frame rails.

Last edited by rhamson; 05/10/24 12:13 PM.
Re: 72 Challenger Saga [Re: rhamson] #3232336
05/12/24 03:07 PM
05/12/24 03:07 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 153
Maryland
rhamson Offline OP
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rhamson  Offline OP
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Maryland
Is a '72 Challenger 318 K Frame the same for a 340? I may have a bent one that I used to swap a 440 into the car and I have a 318 one available to use.

Last edited by rhamson; 05/12/24 03:08 PM.
Re: 72 Challenger Saga [Re: rhamson] #3232342
05/12/24 03:50 PM
05/12/24 03:50 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,623
Eagle, Idaho
Neil Offline
The Doctor is in.
Neil  Offline
The Doctor is in.

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Eagle, Idaho
Each engine size family has it 's own k-frame and motor mounts is generally the way the cars came so whatever k-frame fits a 318 should also fit a 340 or 360 as well.

Re: 72 Challenger Saga [Re: Neil] #3232538
05/13/24 01:02 PM
05/13/24 01:02 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 153
Maryland
rhamson Offline OP
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Maryland
Thanks. That's what I thought. I have the Schumacher swap to 440 mounts so I should be okay.

Re: 72 Challenger Saga [Re: rhamson] #3232616
05/13/24 06:46 PM
05/13/24 06:46 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,492
Candler,NC / Myrtle Beach, SC
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JDMopar Offline
master
JDMopar  Offline
master
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Posts: 8,492
Candler,NC / Myrtle Beach, SC
V8 K frame is a V8 K frame in an E body......318 to 440. Hemi had its own K frame. up

Re: 72 Challenger Saga [Re: JDMopar] #3233317
05/17/24 11:59 AM
05/17/24 11:59 AM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 153
Maryland
rhamson Offline OP
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Maryland
Thanks! I was able to determine my K frame is good. I had a spare from a parts car that had a 318 in it was why I was asking.

Re: 72 Challenger Saga [Re: rhamson] #3233319
05/17/24 12:05 PM
05/17/24 12:05 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 153
Maryland
rhamson Offline OP
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rhamson  Offline OP
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Posts: 153
Maryland
Finally after fabricating the jig, I am able to get back on the car to remove the bent frame member, inner fender and shock tower. I had installed a USCT frame strengthening kit to the bent member which I now have to adjust for the straight member going in.

P16.JPG
Starting at the front.

P11.jpg
The bent frame member I have to remove.

P19.JPG
Getting the floor pushed back down for the new frame part.







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