The Dodge Challenger Message Board

Just wanted to give some advice if I may. I just made a classic rookie mistake and hope someone can learn from it. NEVER!! And I do mean NEVER!! start cutting metal out before you have new sheet metal in hand. I did and now I need a new inner rocker, on one side only thankfully, because I was over excited about a new floor. AAARRRGGG! Measure twice, cut once. Even if this helps 1 person it was worth writing. Silly Rabbit.

Easy enough to make those bits though. In fact I have made complete inner and outer rocker panels (called sills over here) before when I was younger. The join with the floor is going to be covered in carpet for the rest of its life anyway.

Thanks for not being harsh on me Dave.LOL. Its just a mistake that can be rectified though. "Luckily." Just picked up new floor pan complete yesterday so I'm gonna try and get some pics up on my progress. Glad this site is here cause I think I'm gonna need it from time to time LOL. M.O.N.C.

I think we have all made jobs harder for ourselves from time to time over the years.

well heres where it starts. I was able to cut a piece from the top of the box on an old dodge pickup I had in the yard that works perfectly for the piece I messed up. Below is my project, as you can see, but it's all worth it. M.O.N.C.

Dave told me he used straw and mud for body filler once jus ki=ddin

better take car of those frame peices before
u put that pan in
it will be alot easer now
wish they made that full piece when i started
had to use my tunnel
lot easier with that full floor

All-in-all that looks supreme botari. All new is good too Challyride.

ya know now that i see where your are at, now is the time to install sub frame connectors, unless that is already in your project plans,

dave and i were discussing that subject , and we both agreed that these cars need sub frame connectors,

the only reason i suggest it is my car after several years has developed a body crack behind both rear quarter windows, due to body/frame flex ,it might be worth it now since it will be harder to do it later,

i know it is an added expense, i have seen this problem with other e bodies and it not due to poor body work it is because of body /frame flex , and i have done alot of road racing and street driving and here is the toll it has taken its a rough pic but you will see what i am saying, last summer i installed xv sub frame conn. and the car is a much better car on the street , more stable , and a sure footedness that you can actually feel as you drive the car,just my 2 cents

Was gonna clean it all up good and right. Was also thinking of the sub connectors myself and might be the way to go even though the heavy steel is all really good and just surface rust but a good point none the less. M.O.N.C.

Challeyride wrote:Was gonna clean it all up good and right. Was also thinking of the sub connectors myself and might be the way to go even though the heavy steel is all really good and just surface rust but a good point none the less. M.O.N.C.

oh i agree the surface rust is cool, but since you have bare floors that is the area you should do now, and if you look at the whole structure you can see that the floor pan is a weak link, and all it need is a connector between the rear and front of the car ,

and it make sense to do it now and forget about it forever! i would STRONGLY suggest it

I think I agree with you Drew and if I were to go that route, in your opinion,where would I place the sub connectors and where would be a good place to buy them or is there an alternate source such as off of another vehicle?? Oh ya that floor pan was a great deal @ 357$ Canadian, tax in and delivered M.O.N.C.

Challeyride wrote:I think I agree with you Drew and if I were to go that route, in your opinion,where would I place the sub connectors and where would be a good place to buy them or is there an alternate source such as off of another vehicle?? Oh ya that floor pan was a great deal @ 357$ Canadian, tax in and delivered M.O.N.C.

SMOKIN deal and since your doing the work your self your saving a ton of money,and as far as a donor vehicle for those sub frame connectors , im not sure there,
i would rather see you buy those xv connectors, the will require some adjustment/grinding, but it looks like you have more talent than me and i did them, so just be patient and get those, you wont go wrong there they dont even show , you will never see them , but you will never see the cracks i have on my car either

wow those connectors look great and almost stock if someone did'nt know better.

Definate yes on sub connectors! Now is the time.

xv parts are great they fit fantastic i used them too

Hey botari that looks really great. nice job. And like I said if you did'nt know they shouldnt be there you'd never know they should'nt be there. lol

Challeyride wrote:Measure twice, cut once. :

Thats the best advice you'll ever hear i think

drewcrane wrote:ya know now that i see where your are at, now is the time to install sub frame connectors, unless that is already in your project plans.... last summer i installed xv sub frame conn. and the car is a much better car on the street , more stable , and a sure footedness that you can actually feel as you drive the car,just my 2 cents

Drew, i am really interested in doing these. Its supposed to let more torque get to the rear wheels due to the chassis being stiffer and not soaking up the torque due to body flex etc. Could you feel any difference in the car in this? More responsive in acceleration from a standstill etc? thanks

Goldenblack440 wrote:

drewcrane wrote:ya know now that i see where your are at, now is the time to install sub frame connectors, unless that is already in your project plans.... last summer i installed xv sub frame conn. and the car is a much better car on the street , more stable , and a sure footedness that you can actually feel as you drive the car,just my 2 cents

Drew, i am really interested in doing these. Its supposed to let more torque get to the rear wheels due to the chassis being stiffer and not soaking up the torque due to body flex etc. Could you feel any difference in the car in this? More responsive in acceleration from a standstill etc? thanks

well i did go faster in the 1/4 mile, but that could have been due to some other mods, however the car feels more stable, and smooth, before it seemed to twist in the corners now it just stays flat and stable, and acceleration is more straight but i now i have the really steer the car when the rear tires break loose, but that is a good thing, because now it is more predictable as to where the rear is gonna go ,in stead of fish tailing uncontrolled,i say put them on its worth it!