Charger Handling Options

[JohnLClark]

If you read my first post I said I was looking for a 73 Le Mans. Well over the weekend I came across a 69 Charger rolling chassis with the pedals for a manual trans. I am in the process of trying to det it away from the owner and his son who wants to make a, (shudder) demo derby car. If I get it, I want to go with 17 or 18 inch wheels, Baer brakes, and a performance suspension. I know about XV and Magnum Force suspension parts, but the cost of XV parts are out of my price range.
What are some more affordable options, and how does the car handle with the suspension upgrades?

[Rolling_Thunder]

well... it just so happens i am currently constructing a 1968 Dodge Charger to be an all around great pro-touring car...

Suspension upgrades can revolve around your stock K-member - gusseting, welcing, and reinforcing will be necessary. oversized torsion bars (MP no longer makes bars bigger than .96"). also go with adjustable tubular upper control arms, boxed lower control arms, large diamiter sway bars (if you're running a heavy big block), add subframe connectors, lowered leaf springs, firm feel box and you'll be amazed.

[GMachineDartGT]

XV level II may be out of your budget. Our Level I is the best combo of stock style parts on the market. Our package includes matched torsion bars, shocks, sway bars, leaf springs, adj strut rods and bushings in one package. Many of these parts are specific rate for our mopars and not available from other suppliers. Feel free to check our site for pictures, or call me. All information is on the site.

[darren@ridetech]

Reilly Motor Sports makes a nice tubular K-member for the front too. We make a 4 link for the back; no cutting, minimal welding. We also make a kit for the front for use with the stock suspension. That kit will come with a shockwave and tubular uppers. Still uses the torsion bars.

[JohnLClark]

Thanks for the response. At the moment, I am still trying to convince the father, who owns the car, to sell it to me. It looks like I might have to offer up another car ,for the kid to take to the demo derby. The Charger is way too nice to meet a fate like that.

[DusterRT]

Are you flipping kidding me? I'll edit out my emotionally-charged stabs and just ask..does this guy live under a rock? That's virtually throwing out money if nothing else.

Does the kid specifically want to demo that car or what? Obviously I don't know what you're offering them, but why not offer a running, driving Caprice or some other popular demo car in trade? For what Chargers are going for these days (especially '69s), I think that would be fair if all they are wanting is a car to demolish.

[6'9"Witha69]

The "sellers" are flippin' idiots.

Having done demo a few times I will say that they are not great cars for that purpose anyways.

[Rolling_Thunder]

yeah... no kidding... i got a demo derby car for ya if you want... a 1971 satellite wagon

[JohnLClark]

Talked to both the father and son together, today. From the heated discussion they had, the father had no clue about the son's plans for the car. When Dad found out he was pissed. It was his father's car and so on. The father thought his son was going to restore the car. The son was looking to smash the car or sell without telling the dad. So as a result, the father is keeping the car and I now have first refusal if he ever decides to sell. Not the result I wanted but at least the car is safe. I am going to keep checking on the car from time to time to see if he wants to sell. So again thanks for all the help and opinions. Now I have to figure out what to build now.

[6'9"Witha69]

If I were the father I would be disowning a son right about now . . .

[High Plains Mopars]

Glad to hear the car is safe from imbecile activities for the time being.

Even though you won't get the vehicle, something that bears repeating as it seems to constantly be overlooked when people start asking about options; What is your budget, what is your intended purpose, how extensive are your abilities? Nail down the answers to those questions and it will help you decide what is the best route to take on modification, regardless of the make of the car.

Budget is self explanatory.

Purpose would be is it street dirven, how much, how far, is it raced, how much do you need adjustability are you just going to participate in shows, are you a Pro Parking dude and just wants to look cool.

Ability matters if you have a low budget and high aspirations of putting a C5 vette system under a Nash, for example. Chances are that no kit exists to perform this swap and you will be designing, building , and installing everything. These are all items to be addressed to help frame the context of available mods you may want to pursue.

[Scatpack]

Bummer about losing that car, but at least its still out there and not a pop can