Collision guide & Service manual & Collision parts & Frame & Front end Alignment Inner fender & Radiator support

[Challenger RTA]

1. What is the height of the rear bumper bolts to he datum line
2. What is the height of the front most bumper bolt holes to the datum line.

I don't think I have ever seen measurement like that.
The measurements are for a competed car.
They can't even be deduced from the other measurement not enough reference points.
Only thing can be done is measure the distance from the top edge of bumper to the bolts. Then go from there.

 

[Cuda416]

I don't think I have ever seen measurement like that.
The measurements are for a competed car.
They can't even be deduced from the other measurement not enough reference points.
Only thing can be done is measure the distance from the top edge of bumper to the bolts. Then go from there.

yeah some of these are hard to find.

Maybe I didn't ask correctly. I'm looking for the distance from the datum up to the bumper "bracket" holes in the rear frame rails. Not the actual bumper so my wording (lack of words) might be thrown off the question.

 

[Challenger RTA]

Biggest example is the front frame rails, the measurement loation seems to be at a place where the rail is sloped,

Those are tram measurements, not Tape measurements. The center section can be measured with a tap and a few others. A 1/4" off can be seen. as long as it all fits with in the parameters of the measurements of the center section to the front and rear.

The center section is where to start.

 

[Challenger RTA]

datum up to the bumper "bracket"

Here again. None!

 

[Cuda416]

Those are tram measurements, not Tape measurements. The center section can be measured with a tap and a few others. A 1/4" off can be seen. as long as it all fits with in the parameters of the measurements of the center section to the front and rear.

The center section is where to start.

Yessir, I'm with you. Also gonna go ahead and thank you for all this info you posted, it's going to help me loads.

My plan is ...

Center section, rockers, inner cowl/hinge panel, torsion bar cross member
Then move back to install the dynacorn rear section, tail panel, rear cross member etc.
Then move forward to the firewall, front frame rails etc. and forward
Lastly, the windshield frame.

 

[Challenger RTA]

The jig holes on the frame are the measurement that matter. all the other information is gone. That was something that only the Design and Die engineers would have seen.

 

[Challenger RTA]

Center section, rockers, inner cowl/hinge panel, torsion bar cross member

That's perfect! If that's not right nothing will be.

 

[Challenger RTA]

Then move back to install the dynacorn rear section, tail panel, rear cross member etc.

When doing the back. The quarters have to be installed right. If not the doors and fenders will not line up.

Don't just take everything apart. baggiest mistake you can make.
You have to build to the existing if it's correct.

 

[Challenger RTA]

In short: Platform the center section.
Then the rear portion, Rear 1/4" in the right place. Fit doors then fenders. Fix front area last.

That all depends on the damage.

 

[Cuda416]

In short: Platform the center section.
Then the rear portion, Rear 1/4" in the right place. Fit doors then fenders. Fix front area last.

That all depends on the damage.

Basically, the car hit something like a pole or tree as evident by the pretzle that used to be the core support, then it sat for 35 years in a single car garage rusting away. So now I have to fix the rust damage at the same time.

Here's my woefully out of date "build thread"

'70 Vert - waited long enough...

 

[Challenger RTA]

A convertible That changes thing a bit. It has other reinforcement in the rocker panels. And other places.

If that the current condition that's in the link. check center section. Then check door and fender alignment. Take note of door measurements. Put on jig and or brace door area before you dismantle. Keep it supported.
The condition doesn't look that bad. Seen worse.

 

[Cuda416]

A convertible That changes thing a bit. It has other reinforcement in the rocker panels. And other places.

If that the current condition that's in the link. check center section. Then check door and fender alignment. Take note of door measurements. Put on jig and or brace door area before you dismantle. Keep it supported.
The condition doesn't look that bad. Seen worse.

Thanks, I've done a lot of research on them and "fairly" confident (not overly confident and beyond asking for help) I can do it. Doors are already off but they weren't on right anyway. I have a jig I built, you can see it in the thread. I need to re-align things and get started in with the bracing and hard work.

I'll brace the windshield against the inner rocker down low and triangulate everything once I get the jig adjusted and the car properly aligned with a string line and floor marks.

The WS frame is the absolute worst part and I intend on replacing it since it's rusted so bad. My plan is to puzzle cut the three parts that make up the A pillars and match them to the replacement so ensure strength. That will require a lot more bracing and placement locators but they'll wait until the very end.

From what I can tell the internal bracing in the rocker is in good shape but I'll know for sure when I peel the out rockers off.

 

[Challenger RTA]

peel the out rockers off

Defiantly!