life and death of the Duster

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Oldmanmopar

Oldmanmopar

Going left turning right
FABO Gold Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2009
Messages
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Location
Danielsville Pa. 18038
I had the car since the 70's The car went through some drastic changes over the years. Always making it faster but never taking any weight out. weight was 3650 and went 10's with old dry tires

even the original spare is in the trunk. Many members have been in the car and it always put a smile on their face. Some begged to get out.

Here are some pics and videos. It will be rebuilt but it will get a drastic weight cut. The factory parts will go into my Demon. The car was fun.

The wreck was caused by poly strut rod bushing coming apart and a stripped upper control arm bolt. The chinese Style with the flat on each side. Lesson learned. Back of the tire hit the fender when he left off in second.

all runs at track were through the exhaust .








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That really sucks . Hate to see that.

You said the upper control arm bolt failed and that they were Chinese? What brand?
 
dukeboy_318 said:
That really sucks . Hate to see that.

You said the upper control arm bolt failed and that they were Chinese? What brand?
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Not sure what brand but they were the style that had two flats instead of one flat on the bolt. this give a lot less thread area. I Had more of them in the parts bin I threw them all away. I think I bought them at NAPA. I should have used cleaned up original bolts with one flat. The poly bushing just came apart from foot braking it. They are stiff but they are junk. I will never use anything for bushings but rubber

I knew they were bad and we were about to pull it in the shop for a new K-member we built with Heim joints on the struts and 73 steering. . (pictured below) My son took it for one last ride. little did we know

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Oh man,so sorry that was/will be a beautiful car again.. had to go out to the garage to tell mine I'd see her soon winter is almost over:D:D
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This almost looks like something I would have done. We did haul a full size Poncho wagon one time on my trailer.....pulled by a Ford Courier LOL

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Chinese..great food crappy parts. OE stuff is always stronger...thanks for fixing the Duster...
 
Damn shame. That was a damn fine car. If anybody has the resources to rebuild that car Steve does. Again at least no one was physically hurt.
 
I hope everyone is OK because that is a pair of a hell of a hits on the car.

Is it truly dead?!?!
 
While it was a shame the car got mashed, at least no serious injuries happened. Hope you're doing well with your battle with the big C. Looking forward to seeing the next version of the car.
 
rumblefish360 said:
I hope everyone is OK because that is a pair of a hell of a hits on the car.

Is it truly dead?!?!
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Well this body is gone to the grave. The quarter hit was so hard it buckled the floor right behind the shifter. With the the cage in the car and having swing outs that is where the weak spot was in the frame structure. The pole hit the down leg plate in the trunk where the cage was fastened seen in the last pic.

What is not shown in the pics is the chassis Damage. The P.O. mail box was on a cement slap that is not in the pics . It tore the 2 inch headers right out from under the bottom of the car plus other suspension damage. So the motor was tore down for inspection. Its fine but you know how it goes. Never leave well enough alone. So besides a drastic weight reduction to the car. And now that the motor is apart. The son is insistent on More Power!

One thing I told my son is it has to be street legal. Or at least some what drive-able on the street . What good is a car you can't take up to the drive-in for ice cream.

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Sorry to see this, beautiful Duster. Looking forward to seeing the next one.
 
If anyone can build one better looking and faster tan your late/great 71it is you and your boys Steve. I can't wait to see it.
 
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