Posted By: RapidusMaximus
Updated pics from my 68 GTX project - 11/08/11 01:30 AM
Well, it's been 8 months so below are some updated pics...jeez this is a lot of work...tail panel, trunk pan and extensions
Updated pics from my 68 GTX project
Posted By: RapidusMaximus
Re: Updated pics from my 68 GTX project - 11/08/11 01:32 AM
R/H quarter panel
Posted By: RapidusMaximus
Re: Updated pics from my 68 GTX project - 11/08/11 01:33 AM
Made my own body wheels
Posted By: RapidusMaximus
Re: Updated pics from my 68 GTX project - 11/08/11 01:35 AM
LH lower Quarter tacked in place, finshed welding it this afternoon, lots of weld grinding to take place tomorrow...
Posted By: 69Cuda340S
Re: Updated pics from my 68 GTX project - 11/08/11 03:58 AM
Nice work
Posted By: RapidusMaximus
Re: Updated pics from my 68 GTX project - 11/08/11 06:20 AM
Thanks, this has been more work than I expected and is taking longer than I expected and it seems I still have so much to do, hard to stay focused, when I go out into the shop I catch myself looking at everything that still needs to be done and feeling a bit overwhelmed but the metal work is almost done...whew...
Posted By: RapidusMaximus
Re: Updated pics from my 68 GTX project - 09/16/13 03:19 AM
Well, it's been awhile since I updated this build and it continues to be more work than i ever imagined...new pics coming soon as it should be back from my brother in laws shop where is is finishing up the roof skin replacement. The front suspension is completed and waiting on the car, the dana is completely rebuilt and waiting. Now for the hard stuff...the dash...I called Instrument Specialities about a "turn key" dash restoration... 
so now I'm over that. I'm officially stumped about what I will do...so I'm looking for input or suggestions about what other DIYers do about dash restoration 
thanks
so now I'm over that. I'm officially stumped about what I will do...so I'm looking for input or suggestions about what other DIYers do about dash restoration thanks
Posted By: basketcase
Re: Updated pics from my 68 GTX project - 09/16/13 05:54 AM
just why do you want to restore your dash? better look or restore the function? I've never done a nut and bolt resto, but if it's just the look I have seen others redo there own, at least the Charger Rally dashes with good results.
Posted By: RapidusMaximus
Re: Updated pics from my 68 GTX project - 09/16/13 10:25 PM
Well, that's a really good question Dave, here's the deal, the car sat in a pasture for 25 years. The rats ate the dash pads, the wiring and the dash paint is severely faded. On the positive side the gauges look ok, the dash frame is not rusted and all the trim looks decent. Should i just find some new or used dash pads, buy a new harness, paint the frame and hope that the gauges are good or send the gauges off to be checked/restored...and that's kinda where I'm at, never messed with a dash or wiring before so I'm in unknown territory?
Posted By: 68SportSatvert
Re: Updated pics from my 68 GTX project - 09/17/13 02:27 AM
AWESOME work! How did that tailight panel fit? Did you have a spot welder for the trunk floor or did you do plug welds? I'm putting skins on my convertible and will be using the AMD skins and going end to end. It looks like you did that with your full quarter. How did it fit? Thanks for any info/advice! 
Posted By: basketcase
Re: Updated pics from my 68 GTX project - 09/17/13 06:19 AM
well it mostly depends on your budjet. Used pads pop up pretty frequently, but you might have to dye them. I would take the dash apart(alot easier if you're going to pull the windshield) and check the wiring, and paint the dash frame. Unless the critters got to the wiring, you'll probably be OK.
Posted By: RapidusMaximus
Re: Updated pics from my 68 GTX project - 09/17/13 10:44 AM
Quote:
AWESOME work! How did that tailight panel fit? Did you have a spot welder for the trunk floor or did you do plug welds? I'm putting skins on my convertible and will be using the AMD skins and going end to end. It looks like you did that with your full quarter. How did it fit? Thanks for any info/advice!
I used all AMD parts and they all fit well, normal clamping, test fitting and retest fitting required. As for the welds they are all "puddle welds", I drilled my holes in the new metal only then welded the holes to the original metal.
Posted By: RapidusMaximus
Re: Updated pics from my 68 GTX project - 09/17/13 10:51 AM
Quote:
well it mostly depends on your budjet. Used pads pop up pretty frequently, but you might have to dye them. I would take the dash apart(alot easier if you're going to pull the windshield) and check the wiring, and paint the dash frame. Unless the critters got to the wiring, you'll probably be OK.
Yeah, dash is apart, rats trashed the harness so that's a done deal...now if I could find a new or good used lower dash pad I might able to make some progress...
Posted By: basketcase
Re: Updated pics from my 68 GTX project - 09/18/13 05:42 PM
there's a guy over on FBBO parting a '68 Satallite
Posted By: belv2vert66
Re: Updated pics from my 68 GTX project - 09/18/13 07:35 PM
Check out the thread going now in the resto forum on go to guys for dash work. Several very good contacts listed. There is a guy I used named Scott. Copied from the thread below......
ESE & Associates, Inc
Scott
630-372-7648
This guy is by far the best guy I have found. He only does what is needed. If the faces are good he just cleans them. Same for his gauge resto. He will give you an estimate before any work is done. I have used a couple of the ones listed and was blown away by the difference in pricing
ESE & Associates, Inc
Scott
630-372-7648
This guy is by far the best guy I have found. He only does what is needed. If the faces are good he just cleans them. Same for his gauge resto. He will give you an estimate before any work is done. I have used a couple of the ones listed and was blown away by the difference in pricing
Posted By: RapidusMaximus
Re: Updated pics from my 68 GTX project - 09/19/13 01:51 AM
Thanks, I'll check it out.
Posted By: 68SportSatvert
Re: Updated pics from my 68 GTX project - 09/22/13 04:32 AM
Couple other questions. How did you get the one piece trunk pan in? What size holes did you drill for the puddle welds? Thanks!
Posted By: RapidusMaximus
Re: Updated pics from my 68 GTX project - 09/23/13 12:09 AM
I dont think there is any way to get the one piece trunk pan in any other way than what I did it...with the tail panel off...my puddle weld holes were about 3/8's of an inch...
Posted By: 68SportSatvert
Re: Updated pics from my 68 GTX project - 09/24/13 02:39 AM
Thanks! Just so I'm tracking, you were able to get the trunk pan in without removing anything else but the tail light panel? I'm only removing that one piece hoping to get the trunk pan in that way. Mine is damaged and it would be too difficult and time consuming and I'm not sure it would would look like I want it so I bought a new AMD one from Jeff at 521 Restorations.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Posted By: RapidusMaximus
Re: Updated pics from my 68 GTX project - 09/24/13 10:17 PM
My tail panel and the right side tail light bucket and right side trunk rail were off when I put the one piece AMD trunk pan in. I had to change the rh quarter panel so I had all of this rear area open.
Posted By: RapidusMaximus
Re: Updated pics from my 68 GTX project - 12/27/13 04:43 PM
Well, it's been a few months since I posted an update and since I'm waiting for the shop to warm up i thought I'd snap a few pics and check in. New roof skin is finished thanks to my brother-in-law-body shop teacher . All metal work is now finished and engine compartment, interior and trunk is painted. Heater box, steering column and dash frame are back from Hodges Restorations, excellent work by the way . JS Restorations is working on the dash harness and switches and progress pics he has sent me look amazing. Even though I was really careful to bag and tag everything when I was taking this thing apart, I sure hope I remember how it goes back together 
Today's agenda calls for finishing up the new brake system...front to back and emergency brake installation...it's almost back on 4 wheels 
. All metal work is now finished and engine compartment, interior and trunk is painted. Heater box, steering column and dash frame are back from Hodges Restorations, excellent work by the way . JS Restorations is working on the dash harness and switches and progress pics he has sent me look amazing. Even though I was really careful to bag and tag everything when I was taking this thing apart, I sure hope I remember how it goes back together Today's agenda calls for finishing up the new brake system...front to back and emergency brake installation...it's almost back on 4 wheels 
Posted By: basketcase
Re: Updated pics from my 68 GTX project - 12/27/13 06:46 PM
lookin good! do you have a target date? 
Posted By: RapidusMaximus
Re: Updated pics from my 68 GTX project - 12/27/13 07:57 PM
Quote:
lookin good! do you have a target date?
Well...that's a REALLY good question...
...My hope (and plan) is to have it moving, and stopping, under it's own power by mid summer, the "long pole" in the tent as they say, is the dash. I have the dash frame done, the dash harness and switches are with Jim at JS Restorations and thye are almost finished, the dash pads are at Just Dashes and should be back anytime now, the freaking dash cluster is sitting on the kitchen counter waiting to be sent out (shame on me, I'm on my backside on that), in my mind I think once the dash is reinstalled it should be somewhat downhill after that, so with all of that being said I think i can have it ready for exterior paint by mid summer... 