Where to start?

[MyCreation68]

Just like I've been saying for the past couple years the darts coming home. Finally for real this time. In about a month the 68 will be sitting in the garage again and I will commence the teardown. No heres the big question. where do I start on the rust repair? it's been so long it's progressed so much more.
Here's pictures from last year:


as you can see from the pictures the fenders are garbage, the rockers are bad, and the quarters are completely screwed. But the good thing is thats where most of the body rust ends the trunk lid, hood, roof and all the other tough contours seem to be in great shape.

Now the worst as far as I'm concerned is this:

this is my torsion bar crossmember. I'm going to get a 2"x3"x1/4" piece of square tube bent so that it follows the tunnel and fixes the structure that is lost(I'm doing a coil over conversion so I'll be getting rid of the torsion bars anyways)

I'm replacing the front floor pans and the trans tunnel with a 4 speed tunnel for my trans swap.

So all in all far as I know I'll need:
- both quarters
- both front floor pans
- a 4 speed trans tunnel
- both rocker panels

so where do I start once I get the car ripped down to the unibody frame?

[scaldeddog]

I started by doing my floorpans. Now I'm on the quarters. It's really up to you. Just do a little at a time and you'll get it.

[doug 371]

i like to start in the middle...floors etc....then build around prperly fitted doors...them replacement rockers arent worth wasting ur time with

[russ446]

theres a business in all the mopar mags that makes replacement frame pieces. i've never used them, but they could be an option. auto rust technicians www.autorust.com

[eldubb440]

dont use donor metal........the rebody police might take you to jail 

[nothingbutdarts]

dont use donor metal........the rebody police might take you to jail 

                                                                                          
                           

[MyCreation68]

theres a business in all the mopar mags that makes replacement frame pieces. i've never used them, but they could be an option. auto rust technicians www.autorust.com

from what I've heard these are just caps so I'd rather replace the crossmember with a solid piece instead,

I don't have any donor sheetmetal most of it will be new unless I find a 4speed tunnel for cheaper then the 250 they list it for from cross canada.

[MyCreation68]

Ok. It's almost time. I'm getting excited. Starting to learn to ride a motorcycle as soon as I can pass the learners written(I failed by 1 question on the motorcycle test passed my basic and signs with flying colors) that'll free up some gas money(50 bucks a week for gas sucks).

I'm thinking about it and I really wanna fix my frame and my floors but I'm not sure do I have to tear everything down to the bone? or can I leave some things in? The current plan is I'll put the car on jackstands(2 in front of the torsion bar crossmember and 2 just in front of the rear spring perches) and I'll ether cut out the rotted torsion bar crossmember and replace it with rectangle tube or cut out the rust and weld in new metal where needed.

Should I completely remove the floor and add in bracing? I was thinking with the rockers and torsion bar crossmember being rusted maybe removing the doors and welding in crossbraces wouldn't be a bad thing. The trunk pan will be replaced with a 20 gallon fuel cell and a custom floor pan.

[MyCreation68]

oh btw once the car starts coming apart I'll have a couple things to get rid of and will have to go quick. So most will be shipping + whatever packaging/gas I have to use to get them out. Quick list of items off the top of my head
7 1/4 rear axle(I believe it's supposed to be a 2.76 rear but can check, I don't want to completely rip it apart so it all goes together drum to drum)
drum brake 68 dart front k member(I'll part it out but I don't want to be left with a bunch of parts so I'd like it if maybe a couple people would contact me quickly about it)
Stock brake pedal assembly(making a 4 speed car so I don't need an auto brake)
stock e brake assembly(the underdash pull assembly)
stock slant 904 transmission(floor shift car so anything associated with that will go with it)
Everything will be properly packed and crated prior to wherever it needs to go whether I have to ship to florida or anywhere. PM me and I'll give you a timeline when I'll have it out and can have it ready to get going. Most of the bigger stuff(axle, transmission and if complete the front suspension will go for whatever shipping will cost you for it strapped to a pallet with proper protection(mostly wood guards so they don't fall off) + whatever little it costs for me to ship it.

[Adam]

If you live close to the US border, I'd say order your parts from Sherman Parts or Year One. I got my 4-speed hump for like $150 Canadian after the exchange, it was only 20 or so to ship to Ogdensburg, NY where I drove 40min to pick it (and a bunch of other packages) up. UPS charges a fortune to bring something over the border.

Adam