Body Side Molding Removal

[dodgedart1968]

How do I remove the body side molding from my '68 Dart?

 

[Moparone]

If they are the same as the ones I just took off my sons 71 dart, they slide a bit which allows the opening on the backside of the molding to open up and then detach away from the metal stud. Think of it like hanging something with a nail on a slotted opening where the side allows the nail head to pass through but then tightens up as you pull down. Hope this helps. I don’t have any pics and I know the explanation is not the best.

 

[DFX 340 Duster]

I thought the screw at the one end anchored the trim from moving. Remove the screw and slide the trim towards the closed end. If I recall correctly.

 

[dodgedart1968]

If they are the same as the ones I just took off my sons 71 dart, they slide a bit which allows the opening on the backside of the molding to open up and then detach away from the metal stud. Think of it like hanging something with a nail on a slotted opening where the side allows the nail head to pass through but then tightens up as you pull down. Hope this helps. I don’t have any pics and I know the explanation is not the best.

On the contrary, your explanation is very clear. Thanks.

 

[dodgedart1968]

My moldings are not like the design mentioned above. I wrestled the front fender piece off, and I attached pictures of the two types of retainers I found. The moldings have no cutouts, so sliding them off is not correct. In addition, the door moldings have no screws, and have closed ends, so again, they will not slide off. There has to be some kind of release trick to allow them to be pulled off. Some advice please.

 

[DFX 340 Duster]

I have a 1969 Dodge C body service manual and a 1971 Plymouth service manual. Neither one has instructions on how to remove exterior trim nor do they mention any special tool needed to do such a thing. The 1969 manual shows the clips in a diagram but that is it. Sorry that I am no further help.

 

[dodgedart1968]

The '68 FSM has nothing.
Somebody must have done this.

 

[Cuda Al]

All molding either pops off or unbolts (sometimes both) so if there are no nuts or screws on the front or the back them pop away.

Some of the butterfly clips pictured above pop off, the clip stays with the trim, others unbolt.

The white clip picture above stays with the car, the trim pops off of it.

Get something thin and slide under the trim and locate the clips then lift as close to the clip as you can to prevent folding the trim. The first one is the hard one both physically and mentally.


Alan

 

[dodgedart1968]

All molding either pops off or unbolts (sometimes both) so if there are no nuts or screws on the front or the back them pop away.

Some of the butterfly clips pictured above pop off, the clip stays with the trim, others unbolt.

The white clip picture above stays with the car, the trim pops off of it.

Get something thin and slide under the trim and locate the clips then lift as close to the clip as you can to prevent folding the trim. The first on is the hard one both physically and mentally.


Alan

The trim is off. Thanks to all, particularly to Alan. Your comments were spot on. Find all of the fasteners, remove them and then pop the trim pieces off. The first one was nerve racking, and I put a mild bend into it, the rest were quick and easy.

 

[dodgedart1968]

Does anyone have a source for the white plastic retainers?

 

[dodgedart1968]

Still looking for these side molding retainers.