73 duster restro mod
- Thread starter david98513
- Start date
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Like the bodywork modifications, you are doing. Always preferred a mild custom looker,over stock o A bodies. That Taillight setup,I am dying to see.
Brandon Weaver
Well-Known Member
The first thought when I seen the new '14 Challenger taillight was 'That's a cool taillight that could easily be put on most older cars.' The Charger one will be interesting as well!
Oh I'll definitely be keepin up with this build!! But I must say, I hate running into an awesome build that is just starting!! The updates always take too long!! Lol! I like reading through and seeing all the changes at once but I guess I'll survive.... Lookin forward to seein more!!
david98513
Well-Known Member
Oh I'll definitely be keepin up with this build!! But I must say, I hate running into an awesome build that is just starting!! The updates always take too long!! Lol! I like reading through and seeing all the changes at once but I guess I'll survive.... Lookin forward to seein more!!
I agree, I hate the slowness of some updates..unfortunately mine wont be that much faster..im trying to get all the metal done by end of august..after that will be interior, then suspension mods..after its all built for test fit and everything is the way I want it, then ill pull it all back apart and and do the body and and paint..my goal is to have it on the road by next summer.
Well... I guess we shall just have to be patient then!! But I'm lookin fwd to the tail lights and dash for sure!!
Any progress?
david98513
Well-Known Member
finally had a chance to get back at the duster..between work and doing some work on a 66 Bonneville for someone, I haven't had a lot of free time..
put the duster in garage today..tomorrow the motor will be pulled and ill be able to start getting the firewall smoothed..now that its inside ill be able to get to the fun part of the build..will be adding the sunroof next weekend hopefully..then ill add the mirrors and door handles and shortly after I'll start adding the '14 charger tail lights..
decided for rear suspension.. i'm gonna put the rms street lynk suspension, haven't decided on either the air ride or coil overs..anyone have any opinions about what they've used and their thoughts on it?
put the duster in garage today..tomorrow the motor will be pulled and ill be able to start getting the firewall smoothed..now that its inside ill be able to get to the fun part of the build..will be adding the sunroof next weekend hopefully..then ill add the mirrors and door handles and shortly after I'll start adding the '14 charger tail lights..
decided for rear suspension.. i'm gonna put the rms street lynk suspension, haven't decided on either the air ride or coil overs..anyone have any opinions about what they've used and their thoughts on it?
david98513
Well-Known Member
got the motor and trans out today..next step is to cut out the heater box relief area and wiper area and smooth the back firewall..
david98513
Well-Known Member
started smoothing firewall today..cut out the heater relief area..got all the templates cut..tomorrow the filler panels will be welded in..then the last thing to be removed in engine compartment will be the pinch weld across the back firewall..
also got the drip edges removed today..drivers side is about 75% trimmed and welded..will be finished with both drip edges tomorrow..then on to the sunroof
also got the drip edges removed today..drivers side is about 75% trimmed and welded..will be finished with both drip edges tomorrow..then on to the sunroof
david98513
Well-Known Member
finished off most of the firewall this weekend..
david98513
Well-Known Member
had a couple hours today..couldn't decide what door handles and mirrors would look good on the duster, so I went ahead and shaved them off
I'm starting to like the look the car is starting to take..
I'm starting to like the look the car is starting to take..
david98513
Well-Known Member
decided for the hood that i'm going to add a 70-74 challenger dual scoop hood..going to sunburst mopar show tomorrow and hopefully find a good used hood at swap meet..will be grafting that hood into the stock 73 duster hood..
Zuluman
Well-Known Member
Coil-overs ! Definitely coil-overs ! I favour products from "Control Freak Suspensions" because their K-frame replacement is more robust, but there are competitors out there with good products as well. The ride and handling are superb ; one just has to make a wise selection with the spring weights and the dampers to get the balance they want.
Frankly, almost everyone opts for airbags and, admittedly, stance machines are popular but with the exception of Citroën, I prefer a metal suspension.
david98513
Well-Known Member
went junk yarding today..picked up a 2008 Chrysler 300 srt8 dash, gauges and
framework, 2/3 of a 2012 charger taillight panel and trunk lid for the taii light
buckets and the front and back seats out of a 2006 sebring.
was going to go with the dart dash, but trying to find a used one in a yard was about impossible, then I found a
deal on the srt dash and decided that dash was better for this build.
framework, 2/3 of a 2012 charger taillight panel and trunk lid for the taii light
buckets and the front and back seats out of a 2006 sebring.
was going to go with the dart dash, but trying to find a used one in a yard was about impossible, then I found a
deal on the srt dash and decided that dash was better for this build.
david98513
Well-Known Member
Yes, my whole theme on building car is modernization.. doing enough changes to body to give it a newer look, but not enough to take away from the duster look.
Between motor, suspension, body and interior mods, the duster should out perform and handle better than most of the newer cars out there...hopefully...lol
Between motor, suspension, body and interior mods, the duster should out perform and handle better than most of the newer cars out there...hopefully...lol
david98513
Well-Known Member
put a couple hours in on duster today..finished welding firewall and got the rest of the holes filled in..starting to look good under the hood now, just have to grind and finish welds..the only thing left on firewall is the brake booster..im waiting to figure out exactly under the dash where to locate it before I remove it from the firewall..
also got the front windshield out..the window channel is going to need some repair before I can start on the sunroof graft..now that the windshield is out, I can start getting the new dash frame cut and fitted into place..finally..lol
also got the front windshield out..the window channel is going to need some repair before I can start on the sunroof graft..now that the windshield is out, I can start getting the new dash frame cut and fitted into place..finally..lol
Zuluman
Well-Known Member
Cool ! I'll be watching this space.
Btw, about the firewall ; did you cut out the original piece and weld in flat steel, and what are your plans for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning ? Vintage Air ? I'm happy with my Vintage Air system.
The front seats may work, but remember the driveshaft & transmission tunnel of the A-body is offset slightly to the right, so there's less room for the right-side seat. From your pictures it seems the rear seat you've selected won't work. If I may be so bold as to suggest you widen the rear wheel wells now (for 10.5" wheels, but this also requires a switch away from cart-springs) and rework the original rear seat frame and have it professionally recovered to match the fronts ? This is what I did.
david98513
Well-Known Member
For the firewall, I cut out original opening and replaced with 18 gauge flat stock..for air I will be using the vintage air system and will be running rear ducts through the console..
Once I get to the trunk metal work, I will be adding mini tubs..I don't plan on using leaf springs, I will be using RMS rear coil covers for the suspension..
The rear seat is just set in the car now for storage..there is about 4" on each side of seat that I will be building armrest to cover the space..armrest area will have cup holders and USB ports built into them..the seats all match now, made sure I got a complete interior from the donor car..
Zuluman
Well-Known Member
Thank you for the explanation. You have all contingencies covered, it seems. Bravo !
david98513
Well-Known Member
repaired the upper windshield frame today..the rust was severe enough that I decided to replace the whole upper lip..after looking at the condition of outer roof skin and seeing all the rust and future rust areas, I'm thinking about replacing the whole outer skin..gonna measure a 2012 charger roof this weekend and if measurements are useable, I may graft the majority of the charger skin into the duster roof skin..i think this would really give the duster a updated look..
david98513
Well-Known Member
the rear seat braces will also be moved back about 5" or so..this will place the rear seat further back and give more cabin room between seats..
david98513
Well-Known Member
started dash on the duster today..got the old out and the new one test fitted and trimmed..
Zuluman
Well-Known Member
I did a quick check and the 2006 Dodge Charger is nearly 3 inches wider than the Duster. This suggests you will have to cut the roof to make it narrower, as well as the front and rear windscreens. The amount of work may be reduced if you keep the front half of the Duster roof and add the rear half of the Charger roof. This would then imply having to remake only the windows for the rear seat area. Otherwise you'll have the front windows to do as well.
I did a quick cut and paste and find that the Charger roof would suite the silhouette of the Duster well, despite being a 4-door. The front screen angle would be steeper and the roof may also be slightly lower, contributing to a sleeker look.
I did a quick cut and paste and find that the Charger roof would suite the silhouette of the Duster well, despite being a 4-door. The front screen angle would be steeper and the roof may also be slightly lower, contributing to a sleeker look.
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