Need help tearing down my challenger!

Benjamin Nelson · Jun 27, 2021

Hey everyone. I’m disassembling my 74 challenger to paint it. I will be doing all the work myself. This is my first MoPar and my first car. How do I remove the window, door handles and latch from the doors? I just tried to do it but saw all these little clips holding the linkages together. Is there a special tool I need and don’t have?
Any help appreciated.

Chryco Psycho · Jun 27, 2021

Take more pictures than you can imagine & put every fastener in marked baggies !!
Door linkage clips snap over the rods so just roll them off the rod & the end of the rods will slide out of the clips , usually you can disconnect them with your finger or the aid of a small screwdriver or pick tool .

70chall440 · Jun 28, 2021

Download the factory service manual for a Challenger from https://mymopar.com/service-manuals/ it doesn't have to be for a 74, they have the 73 body and service manuals (get both). There are a lot of drawings and instruction there that will be very helpful. The manuals along with the pile of pictures that you took (should take) will help you take it a part and put it back together.

Another "tip", get yourself a box or 2 of freezer bags (a couple different sizes) a roll of masking tape and a sharpie; bag and label EVERYTHING. Be specific in your labeling i.e. drivers side locking rod, passenger side latch rod, etc. While I am sure you intend to get the car painted and reassembled, it never happens the way you think it will and too many times reassembly occurs a very long time after disassembly.

One last thing, get yourself some boxes (or bins) and put all of your parts together as a group, i.e. all the parts from the drivers door in one box/bin and everything from the passenger side in another. Personally I like to put all of my bolts back into whatever threaded area they came out of, as an example when you remove the bolts from that hold the window regulator and remove it, put the bolts back into the threaded blocks in the regulator. This way you don't lose any bolts and you know where they go.

Cuda Hunter · Jun 28, 2021

I have to add to this, Take More Pictures.

You can not take enough. I try to take a picture of every single bolt that I remove so I can reference it.

70chall440 · Jun 28, 2021

In reference to the pictures, you need to try and organize them in some fashion so you can easily find what you are looking for. Far too many times I know I have a picture of this or that part and end up spending a pile of time trying to find it or figure out what is in question.

Adam · Jun 28, 2021

Don’t throw anything away, don’t assume you can get new replacements. Old parts are useful for comparison or making a pattern if you have to fabricate something. And stay organized; it takes me a couple of years to go through a car and I often forget where I put the parts. Recently, I bought a rubber windshield gasket for an old truck because I couldn’t find the other new one I previously bought... now I have two.

70chall440 · Jun 28, 2021

Adam said:
Don’t throw anything away, don’t assume you can get new replacements. Old parts are useful for comparison or making a pattern if you have to fabricate something. And stay organized; it takes me a couple of years to go through a car and I often forget where I put the parts. Recently, I bought a rubber windshield gasket for an old truck because I couldn’t find the other new one I previously bought... now I have two.

Excellent point

Cuda Hunter · Jun 29, 2021

If at all possible, store your parts in clear see through containers so when they are up on the shelf you can easily find the parts your after.

Challenger RTA · Jun 29, 2021

They are so right! I would like to add.TAKE MORE PICTURES! No really also pull measurements. Body panels. still intact. start with doors then fenders,adjust if need be, might be as close as it will ever get to being straight. scribe door hinges, door striker. Pull measurements 2-3 places between fender. On core support mark center with 1/8" or smaller drill bit,counter sink mark. Hood hinges probably bad if good scribe and measure gap front an rear.

Dazmom · Jun 30, 2021

I picked up a ton of large plastic containers from Goodwill/Salvation Army Thrift Stores, granted not all of them had lids. Also got some cheap metal shelves at Pate Swap Meet. They will help you utilize vertical space. I managed to pick up some very thick ziplock style bags on Facebook marketplace, and the permanent markers at Walmart. I spent as little as possible for storage possibilities because I want the majority of the money to go towards the car.

Attached are pictures of our car hauler (we don’t have a garage) filled with most of the parts. The hood and front rims and tires are protected in the storage end of my husband shop. The exhaust, front suspension and K member, and rear axle with springs and rims and tires attached are all located under the carport.

We managed to find a rotisserie on Facebook marketplace and it is making it easier for our Welder to replace/repair body panels and metal. Once we get the car back from paint, he is going to put it up on 4 jackstands to make it easier to slide under it to put lines, etc. back in place.

You might consider getting the subframe connectors and torque boxes from US Car Tool.

Have fun! It’s about the journey, not the destination. I can’t wait until we can fire The Lady up again and get her on down the road.