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Disappointed with the old ride #2729648
01/03/20 01:37 PM
01/03/20 01:37 PM
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Posts: 1,231
Chicago, IL
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PLUM_72 Offline OP
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Chicago, IL
If you care to read the long post, thanks...I had to vent a little about my car.
I have had a 72 Challenger for many years now. Its was restored back in the early 90's somewhat stock with several custom touches here and there. The last 5 to 10 years the car has taken a backseat to life, kids activities and other interests. The car always comes out a few times each year, not nearly enough though.
Anyway, through a series of events, I had the car running and drove it last night and today. While there is that old car cool factor, the ride quality and overall experience is lacking. There is this hard, rough and tumble nature of it. I cant put my finger on what it is exactly. My 1980 Buick Regal drove better than this thing ever has. While I don't expect the 72 to be like my 2013 Challenger, I do wonder if something is wrong with the car, or if my age and expectations of the car have changed.
While I would never sell the car, its been a big part of my life, it needs something. Just not sure where to go as the car starts okay, drives and brakes straight. Its not like I can point to one thing that would improve the experience.
Any body else feel this way?


Thanks!

WarrShow03SM.jpg

1972 Dodge Challenger
Re: Disappointed with the old ride [Re: PLUM_72] #2729652
01/03/20 01:49 PM
01/03/20 01:49 PM
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,810
New State
kidmopar Offline
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New State
The only thing I can ad to your story is , you didn't mention any specs on the car ? shruggy

Engine ? Transmission ? Rear gears ? What modifications have been made that make this an

un-enjoyable car to drive ???? work

Re: Disappointed with the old ride [Re: kidmopar] #2729653
01/03/20 01:52 PM
01/03/20 01:52 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 32,884
Grand Prairie,Texas
stumpy Offline
I Win
stumpy  Offline
I Win

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Posts: 32,884
Grand Prairie,Texas
Does the fact that our oldies ride like a brick mean anything. You have gotten used to the comfortable seats and the softer ride of the new cars. Which is not a bad thing as we get older ourselves.

Re: Disappointed with the old ride [Re: PLUM_72] #2729657
01/03/20 02:15 PM
01/03/20 02:15 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,225
Silsbee,Tx
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-Cuda Offline
top fuel
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,225
Silsbee,Tx
It is old technology. I had the same thing happen years ago when I was driving my wife’s newer charger and later drove my satellite. Thinking back, that’s the day I began losing interest in the old cars. I still have the satellite, but sold my barracuda in October and bought a new widebody challenger.

Re: Disappointed with the old ride [Re: stumpy] #2729659
01/03/20 02:19 PM
01/03/20 02:19 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,666
Buford, GA
I_bleed_MOPAR Offline
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I_bleed_MOPAR  Offline
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Posts: 8,666
Buford, GA
stumpy is right. Every time I jump in the wife's '17 Challenger it makes my '00 Durango 4x4 seem like a dump truck. As I have gotten older, the ride quality & convenience features of a new car are very desireable. While I love a short cruise in an old hot rod (driving my sons '71 Charger still gets MY motor running biggrin ) or everyday driving in the Durango, I honestly do not want to take either on an extended trip. blush And while I am still semi-searching for an early A, I have asked myself would I really enjoy it. work



Tim


'71 Charger 383/727
'17 Challenger SXT (Wifeys car wink )
Re: Disappointed with the old ride [Re: I_bleed_MOPAR] #2729670
01/03/20 02:44 PM
01/03/20 02:44 PM
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,677
Fresno, CA
Jim_Lusk Offline
I Live Here
Jim_Lusk  Offline
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Posts: 18,677
Fresno, CA
My newest car has a much stiffer ride than even my son's '67 Barracuda with 1.14" torsion bars. Cars handles great, though...It does have more comforts than any of our other cars, though...

DW157037.JPG
Re: Disappointed with the old ride [Re: I_bleed_MOPAR] #2729675
01/03/20 02:56 PM
01/03/20 02:56 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,239
north of coder
moparx Offline
"Butt Crack Bob"
moparx  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,239
north of coder
i can't wait until i can take a ride in my humpback hot rod. boogie [if i live long enuff that is !]
it is still super close to the vision i had way back in the 1973-74 time period, but still has a long way to go.
as it is now, i can barely get myself through the door & into the seat, even with the tilt/tele/removable wheel column, although the cage gives me things to grab onto to get in and out.
but once inside, the view from the windshield gets me pumped !
and i'm sure the ladderbar suspension and the almost solid motor mounts [just a urethane bushing for each side] will give it a "thrilling" ride !
i have a pic of me getting in it, but you guys would make fun of "butt crack bob"......
beer

scan.jpgIM001498.JPGP8190037.JPGP9070001.JPG
Re: Disappointed with the old ride [Re: PLUM_72] #2729680
01/03/20 03:02 PM
01/03/20 03:02 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,390
Highland, MI.
Sunroofcuda Offline
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Posts: 8,390
Highland, MI.
Originally Posted by PLUM_72
If you care to read the long post, thanks...I had to vent a little about my car.
I have had a 72 Challenger for many years now. Its was restored back in the early 90's somewhat stock with several custom touches here and there. The last 5 to 10 years the car has taken a backseat to life, kids activities and other interests. The car always comes out a few times each year, not nearly enough though.
Anyway, through a series of events, I had the car running and drove it last night and today. While there is that old car cool factor, the ride quality and overall experience is lacking. There is this hard, rough and tumble nature of it. I cant put my finger on what it is exactly. My 1980 Buick Regal drove better than this thing ever has. While I don't expect the 72 to be like my 2013 Challenger, I do wonder if something is wrong with the car, or if my age and expectations of the car have changed.
While I would never sell the car, its been a big part of my life, it needs something. Just not sure where to go as the car starts okay, drives and brakes straight. Its not like I can point to one thing that would improve the experience.
Any body else feel this way?


Thanks!


It's called VISCERAL. I love the raw, unrefined feel & sound & smell of an old musclecar. Newer cars don't have it. My 2016 Scat Pack shaker Challenger doesn't have it. I prefer the old. My "new" Challenger just doesn't excite me that much, plus there are SO MANY of them on the roads around here, they are nothing out of the ordinary.


No Man With A Good Car Needs To Be Justified
Re: Disappointed with the old ride [Re: Sunroofcuda] #2729696
01/03/20 03:59 PM
01/03/20 03:59 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,828
east side of Ohio
basketcase Offline
master
basketcase  Offline
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Posts: 7,828
east side of Ohio
this is what happens when we don't drive these old cars regularly. When I had my '68 Charger R/T, it was my dailey. It took me 5 hours one way to Kentucky, and 7 to Michigan without thought. Now that my road runner is done, the world has changed. It's not just a 10 year old car, I am more picky where I drive it, so it doesn't get driven as much. But I drive my '81 D150 dailey, so the '69 isn't as much of a change, and I prefer the two older ones to driving the wife's 2015 Journey.

Last edited by basketcase; 01/03/20 09:12 PM.

Dave


1981 Dodge D150 360 auto
Re: Disappointed with the old ride [Re: kidmopar] #2729702
01/03/20 04:14 PM
01/03/20 04:14 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,231
Chicago, IL
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PLUM_72 Offline OP
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Chicago, IL
Originally Posted by kidmopar
you didn't mention any specs on the car ? shruggy

Engine ? Transmission ? Rear gears ?

The car has a 340/727 and 3.91 gears out back. The engine has a mild Comp 262 cam. Suspension was rebuilt using stock parts with a mix of poly and rubber bushings.

I guess I think it should ride/perform like an 80's Camaro or Mustang. It seems pretty far off from that and not in a good way.


1972 Dodge Challenger
Re: Disappointed with the old ride [Re: PLUM_72] #2729705
01/03/20 04:19 PM
01/03/20 04:19 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,356
Eagle, Idaho
Neil Offline
The Doctor is in.
Neil  Offline
The Doctor is in.

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,356
Eagle, Idaho
Never owned an e-body, but have ridden in one nd it did have a nose heavy feel to it. Short trunk + less overhang over the rear,makes the all the pony cars ride rougher as well.

I had a 68 Coronet 500 years ago and it rode very smooth so you can get the old stuff to ride nice enough to go on rod trips with.

Maybe your car needs a firmer steering box and some better shocks, ect?

Re: Disappointed with the old ride [Re: PLUM_72] #2729710
01/03/20 04:22 PM
01/03/20 04:22 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,244
West Virginia
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NewbombTurkk Offline
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,244
West Virginia
Sorry but 'THAT IS' the experience. The sound of the engine, smell of rich exhaust, big tires, smell of vinyl take me back to my teen days of the early 80's when i had a 396 Camaro and 327 Chevelle....no radio, manual windows and you can feel the road. the new muscle would take mine easily in a race, but it is not the same to me.


1969 Buick Sportwagon 455 Stage 1 Ram Air SOLD
Nationwise Auto Parts Alumni 1982-1984

Now 1972 El Camino, original 402
Re: Disappointed with the old ride [Re: moparx] #2729712
01/03/20 04:23 PM
01/03/20 04:23 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 25,851
United Socialist States of Ame...
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tboomer Online work
Too Many Posts
tboomer  Online Work
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Posts: 25,851
United Socialist States of Ame...
Originally Posted by moparx
i can't wait until i can take a ride in my humpback hot rod. boogie [if i live long enuff that is !]
it is still super close to the vision i had way back in the 1973-74 time period, but still has a long way to go.
as it is now, i can barely get myself through the door & into the seat, even with the tilt/tele/removable wheel column, although the cage gives me things to grab onto to get in and out.
but once inside, the view from the windshield gets me pumped !
and i'm sure the ladderbar suspension and the almost solid motor mounts [just a urethane bushing for each side] will give it a "thrilling" ride !
i have a pic of me getting in it, but you guys would make fun of "butt crack bob"......
beer


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Ask and You shall receive! laugh2


The end is near.....
Re: Disappointed with the old ride [Re: tboomer] #2729719
01/03/20 04:41 PM
01/03/20 04:41 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,378
KY USA
mopargem Offline
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mopargem  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,378
KY USA
If you have airshocks it will ride like a buckboard and handle about the same

Re: Disappointed with the old ride [Re: PLUM_72] #2729733
01/03/20 05:29 PM
01/03/20 05:29 PM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,161
Los Angeles, CA
JF_Moparts Offline
super stock
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,161
Los Angeles, CA
Originally Posted by PLUM_72
If you care to read the long post, thanks...I had to vent a little about my car.
I have had a 72 Challenger for many years now. Its was restored back in the early 90's somewhat stock with several custom touches here and there. The last 5 to 10 years the car has taken a backseat to life, kids activities and other interests. The car always comes out a few times each year, not nearly enough though.
Anyway, through a series of events, I had the car running and drove it last night and today. While there is that old car cool factor, the ride quality and overall experience is lacking. There is this hard, rough and tumble nature of it. I cant put my finger on what it is exactly. My 1980 Buick Regal drove better than this thing ever has. While I don't expect the 72 to be like my 2013 Challenger, I do wonder if something is wrong with the car, or if my age and expectations of the car have changed.
While I would never sell the car, its been a big part of my life, it needs something. Just not sure where to go as the car starts okay, drives and brakes straight. Its not like I can point to one thing that would improve the experience.
Any body else feel this way?


Thanks!


I'm a perfectionist in a lot of ways, so I'm right there with you when it comes to ride quality and refined driving experience. I keep pushing my cars to get better and better on those fronts. I have a 71 Satellite, 71 Road Runner and 70 Challenger. Here's what I've found:

Your immediate inputs to the car are gas, brakes, and steering. What you feel/sense from the car are what you feel from the seat, the wheel, and what you hear. If the old car is in tip top stock condition (which most are NOT), what are usually sub-par are brakes, steering, and seats.
- Upgrading brakes are easy - 78 Magnum discs are one step under anti-lock and you can swap them out for a few hundred dollars.
- Steering is a little more complicated. A Firm Feel Stage 2 is nice, or Borgeson if you don't mind higher costs and labor.
- Seats are easy to upgrade and in my opinion make the car feel dramatically different! The stock seats in my Challenger suck. The aftermarket seats in my Satellite make it feel like a brand new car!

That's if the car is in great condition, which most aren't. If your car is like most, then perhaps you need a tune up, or a new carb, or your suspension bushings are worn, etc, etc. There's so much that could be in need of maintenance.

And then there's noise. There's good noise, like the exhaust of a 440, and there's bad noise, like the rattles under a 50 year old dashboard that eat away at your sanity one mile at a time. I spend a lot of time chasing after these squeaks, but it's worth it. Perhaps your car has lots of peripheral noise that is just plain annoying?

Anyway, your car looks great and you're lucky to have a Plum Crazy Challenger! I hope you enjoy it!

Re: Disappointed with the old ride [Re: PLUM_72] #2729735
01/03/20 05:30 PM
01/03/20 05:30 PM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,161
Los Angeles, CA
JF_Moparts Offline
super stock
JF_Moparts  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,161
Los Angeles, CA
Originally Posted by PLUM_72
Originally Posted by kidmopar
you didn't mention any specs on the car ? shruggy

Engine ? Transmission ? Rear gears ?

The car has a 340/727 and 3.91 gears out back. The engine has a mild Comp 262 cam. Suspension was rebuilt using stock parts with a mix of poly and rubber bushings.

I guess I think it should ride/perform like an 80's Camaro or Mustang. It seems pretty far off from that and not in a good way.



Pop a Gear Vendors O/D on there. 3.91 with a stock 727 must rev pretty high at highway speeds.

Re: Disappointed with the old ride [Re: PLUM_72] #2729741
01/03/20 05:42 PM
01/03/20 05:42 PM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,695
central il.
S
second 70 Offline
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central il.
It comes down to what tires and shocks you have on your car. When I had radials and normal shocks on my 70 cuda I couldn't believe how nice it drove. Now with bias ply tires and stiffer shocks not so much but if I put the radials back on and adjust the shocks to loose it's still a surprisingly nice ride.

Re: Disappointed with the old ride [Re: second 70] #2729747
01/03/20 06:01 PM
01/03/20 06:01 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,356
Eagle, Idaho
Neil Offline
The Doctor is in.
Neil  Offline
The Doctor is in.

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,356
Eagle, Idaho
Tires do matter a bunch.

I bought a project car that came with firm, but not stiff, shocks and large sway bars and found it rode reasonably smooth while still being able to hold a corner like a new car. It was lowered about an inch or so as well.

Re: Disappointed with the old ride [Re: Neil] #2729748
01/03/20 06:20 PM
01/03/20 06:20 PM

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If I drive the girls '12 enough I kinda get used to the comfort factors. Tight steering, 4 wheel disk, auto temp, steering wheel controls for the radio and cruise. I don't really embrace it because I've always hated FWD but I start to dig it enough to window shop one for myself. That generally lasts until I have to work on it. Waaaay too many plastic snap together parts and more than a few interior pieces that break when you unsnap them. Stupidity like taking the fender apart to replace the headlight or the battery. Throw away rotors and rims. Aluminum and steel parts that have fused together.

I'm generally pretty happy to climb back in to my old stuff, sloppy steering and all.

Re: Disappointed with the old ride [Re: Neil] #2729751
01/03/20 06:26 PM
01/03/20 06:26 PM
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,193
NEW JERSEY
AARCONV Offline
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Posts: 5,193
NEW JERSEY
My 70 cuda Convertible rides so smooth compared to my 71 cuda both small blocks..the difference is that I wanted a nice crusin car compared to my 71..this is what I did..stock suspension front and rear..no poly crap..moog rubber, has a frt and rear sway bar, bf goodrich ta radials but the best part that made it smooth is the shocks..the fronts are old school oil shocks and the rears are mopar 50-50 race shocks..my friends are amazed at the ride ..even me..its like a daily driver

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