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Challenger frame measurement accuracy #3027767
03/26/22 01:51 PM
03/26/22 01:51 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 149
Maryland
rhamson Offline OP
member
rhamson  Offline OP
member

Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 149
Maryland
I have been plugging along with the body work on my '72 Challenger and thought at one time I had adjusted the right front rail back to its' proper height. Which I did successfully. I have discovered that the rail was pushed up by the floor and is out of level about a 1/2". I set up my trammel jig to measure it at the proper points according to the chassis diagram in the chassis service manual. The measurement diagonally from the cross member to the back bolt hole where the K-frame attaches to the frame measures 57-1/8". It is equal on both sides. The measurement should be 57-1/2". Does anybody know if these dimensions were that accurate from the factory? I still need to make a pull on the frame at the floor to bring it back down to level out the frame from one side to the other. I have tried to get a body shop locally to bend this but they all bow out as they are dedicated to only collision repairs of newer cars. Classic line I have been given is it a unibody? We don't do unibody pulls for old cars. Just about every newer car out there they are repairing is a unibody. Any thoughts? Anyone?

Re: Challenger frame measurement accuracy [Re: rhamson] #3028608
03/29/22 09:56 AM
03/29/22 09:56 AM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,679
On the parachute mount
N
n20mstr Offline
master
n20mstr  Offline
master
N

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,679
On the parachute mount
YES most body shops are going to shy away from a car like this. They simply feel that they cant make money off it. I see you are in Maryland, try contact Rhodes Custom Auto. They are a race shop but they will fix it for you. Mopars are pretty easy to pull, the metal is not that thick. I recently had my A body on a frame machine and pulled the front rails down. After 25+ years of wheel stands with no forward strut bars, the inner fender structure spot welds are weak and popping like nothing.
Also, im pretty sure the tolerance is more than an 1/8 on the mopar unibody


....BAD A$$ STREET CAR.....
Re: Challenger frame measurement accuracy [Re: n20mstr] #3029146
03/31/22 10:41 AM
03/31/22 10:41 AM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 149
Maryland
rhamson Offline OP
member
rhamson  Offline OP
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 149
Maryland
Thanks I will give them a shout out.

Re: Challenger frame measurement accuracy [Re: rhamson] #3038971
05/02/22 02:04 AM
05/02/22 02:04 AM
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 24
FL, USA
D
Drei Offline
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Drei  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 24
FL, USA
Curious to hear any update about this project.

Re: Challenger frame measurement accuracy [Re: Drei] #3230807
05/03/24 11:22 AM
05/03/24 11:22 AM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 149
Maryland
rhamson Offline OP
member
rhamson  Offline OP
member

Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 149
Maryland
I determined that the frame was bent too far to straighten and the alignment wouldn't ever be right. So replacement is the only way to go. I bought some steel and fabricated a frame jig so I can replace the bent front frame member. I am in the final stages of setting the posts when my NEW! laser level crapped out on me. Good news is Amazon refunded me the money and a new one (hopefully better) is on it's way.

Frame Jig Test Fit.jpg
Here is the rough frame.

Picture1.jpg
Here it is being fitted for the posts before my NEW laser level took a crap.







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