1969 DART CUSTOM FULL RESTORATION

CrOoKs · Jan 19, 2017

Hello guys! I am new at posting here but have been researching things on here for the past few months. A friend of mine on here found this 69 dart for me and I decided I wanted to save it! I started off thinking I'd fix the rust areas on the floor and keep the patina, however, the more I got into it I decided now is the time to do a full blown restoration on it so my family can enjoy car shows, etc together. I started on this around December 4th 2016 and I amvery happy with the progress to date!

Here is a short list of my plans though I want to keep it somewhat of a sleeper...

-440/ 4 speed swap approx 475-500HP and probably a 200 shot just for a power number
-TTI Headers
-Stainless v-band clamp exhaust tigged up by myself
-Mini tub with spring relocation
-Black COP wheels with 295's-325's
-Seats are being reupholstered to resemble GT/GTS pattern with a little twist

*I'm currently waiting for every floor part to be shipped from AMD. I've also got a right quarter skin coming.

Thank you for looking and for all the great info on this forum!

Jason Crooks

FJ5 Duster · Jan 19, 2017

Awesome work man its amazing how much you have gotten done in such a short period of time! I know the Dart is going to be killer when you get done with it!

CrOoKs · Jan 19, 2017

Thank you Jason! Thanks for the rear frame rails too!

CrOoKs · Jan 19, 2017

Rear end and trunk out. I will be removing the rest of the floor going down to the rear foot wells. It was an after thought but better now than never. Also, the frame rails Jason gave me!

4spdragtop · Jan 19, 2017

Welcome aboard! Gonna be killer, looking forward to progress and it doesn't look like its gonna take long.

69DartMatt · Jan 19, 2017

Wow! Great start in only a short time! You're going to have a nice car when your done. I'm also building a 69 Dart Custom that I plan to turn into a ProTouring/Restomod car. Keep up the great work man!

CrOoKs · Jan 19, 2017

4spdragtop said:
Welcome aboard! Gonna be killer, looking forward to progress and it doesn't look like its gonna take long.

Thank you! Once this floor is done I can knock out the exterior.

limegreen70 · Jan 19, 2017

Fantastic work. Subscribed.

kustom2k1 · Jan 19, 2017

You are awesome man! Have to respect the time, effort and the money needed to restore one of these classics.

CrOoKs · Jan 19, 2017

kustom2k1 said:
You are awesome man! Have to respect the time, effort and the money needed to restore one of these classics.

Thank you sir! Between me being self employed , working part time for another guy, balancing family time with my wife and 4 yr old son I have to squeeze in a couple hours now and then. It can be done just sacrifice sleep!

CrOoKs · Jan 19, 2017

Few random pics I forgot to post. I epoxy coated the inside of the outer rockers before welding the new inner rockers in. I will also be spraying honey coat inside the rockers once I'm done with the metal work.

CrOoKs · Jan 19, 2017

Inner rockers and drain areas epoxy coated.

FJ5 Duster · Jan 20, 2017

I highly recommend guys to follow this build! Crooks and I have been friends for many years from the good old high school days. He has built some nice hot rods over the years and none of them were slow!

rich006 · Jan 20, 2017

That's going to be a great car, and I appreciate all the photos!

CrOoKs · Jan 20, 2017

FJ5 Duster said:
I highly recommend guys to follow this build! Crooks and I have been friends for many years from the good old high school days. He has built some nice hot rods over the years and none of them were slow!

Thank you Jason! We sure had a lot of fun!

jaws · Jan 20, 2017

Wow, you don't look that old.

CrOoKs · Jan 20, 2017

jaws said:
Wow, you don't look that old.

38 going on 86!!

CudaChick1968 · Jan 20, 2017

Subscribed! Your enthusiasm shines right through. Welcome aboard!! Hit me up if I can help.

CrOoKs · Jan 20, 2017

CudaChick1968 said:
Subscribed! Your enthusiasm shines right through. Welcome aboard!! Hit me up if I can help.

Thank you!!

CrOoKs · Jan 20, 2017

Got the new/used frame rails cut away from the donor car and also got the remainder of the floor removed. Glad I decided to cut it all out as you can tell the inner rockers by the seat bottom are shot!

FJ5 Duster · Jan 21, 2017

I'm surprised how much rust was in the inner rockers! I'll have the shop truck this weekend so I can stop by and haul off some of your scraps to the Mopar shed

CrOoKs · Jan 21, 2017

FJ5 Duster said:
I'm surprised how much rust was in the inner rockers! I'll have the shop truck this weekend so I can stop by and haul off some of your scraps to the Mopar shed

Ha ha ha okay sounds good. I'll be tinkering some in the morning!

CrOoKs · Jan 22, 2017

Had a couple hours to work on the car this morning so I got the rear frame rails ready to be blasted.

CrOoKs · Jan 24, 2017

Not much of an update but frame rails and k member are being media blasted. I ordered everything to rebuild the front end today including new rotors and bearings. Also had some time I blasted the pedal assembly and painted cast iron. I will paint the pedal arms black tomorrow. I ordered all the floor pieces, rear crossmember, tail light supports, trunk inner and outer cross members, both front fenders and a drivers side quarter skin from AMD yesterday. I got the passenger side quarter skin last week.

CrOoKs · Jan 25, 2017

Majority of the front steering and brake parts came today. I wiped them all down and painted them with cast iron and cleared them. Also cleared the ball joints and bolt hardware. I expoxy coated the rotor hats, outer edges and the inner hub areas to avoid that common nasty flaking rust. I'm sure I'll have to touch things up after getting an alignment but this give you an idea of what I'm expecting.