KingDustin's 1971 Charger Build

[kingdustin]

Hello all! I decided it was time to part out my my WRX that I've built over the last 9 years and get into the Charger game. I've always been a Charger fan and I had the opportunity to pick up a 71 this weekend and plan on restoring it with my dad, since it is also his favorite car.

It seems to be in pretty decent condition, I was told it's been sitting since 1978. The owner I bought it from, got it from an auction a year ago and has started the process. I'm still trying to figure out what all I have and am going to need to do but ideally I'd like to drive it at least once this summer. The motor has already been pulled and he's labeled most of the wiring. This week's goal is to get the shop cleaned up a bit before the snow so I can get it inside.

I'll keep this thread up to date as we progress.








*edit* - Hopefully fixed images.  
*edit 2* - Updated title. I'll keep this thread updated as my build thread.

[Challenger340]

Welcome and Congrats ! 
You will find TONS of resource knowledge on this site.
Looks to be a pretty decent starting point, keep us updated as you go !

[alfaitalia]

I can't see the photos...strange.

[CDN72SE]

Welcome to the site, looking forward to seeing the pictures.

[kingdustin]

Thanks everyone! I've been a lurker for awhile now, I love all the information available. I've updated the first post, hopefully the images are fixed now.

[VegasCharger]

Welcome aboard 

Pics are visible to me.

Nice 71 

[Baldwinvette77]

Nice car, looks good just the way it is 

[kingdustin]

Thanks! It's in surprisingly good shape for sitting so long. From what I was told it was in a lean-to off of a barn so it was mostly protected from the elements. Mice definitely got inside but most of the wiring looks intact. I'll be able to tell more once we tear into it, for the price and the condition, I couldn't pass it up.

[tan top]

hello & welcome 

[JR]

Welcome man, looks like a nice clean starting point. Several guys here have built Chargers from much worse beginnings.

What's your plan for the car? Restoration? Modified? Fun driver?

[ACUDANUT]

Welcome aboard. Nice 71 

[Moparsaver]

I'm looking forward to more of this.      Nice car and cute kid. 

[BDF]

Hello & 

[69rtse4spd]

X2, .

[flyinlow]

Welcome...enjoy the project!



You will have to keep after it, won't be long before you Daughter asks to drive the Charger.

[Dino]

Awesome! Congrats and welcome!   

Those are some serious deep dish wheels.   

[polywideblock]

welcome   ,love the 71's   

[charger chris]

Welcome to the site. Nice car looks really nice and solid.

[ACUDANUT]

 No Engine ?

[kingdustin]

Thanks everyone! My daughter loves it already, maybe even more than I do haha  I'm thinking more of a modified project, originally I was thinking more of a restored original but after deciding to sell my WRX for this I'll need something to replace the race car in my life.

This one came with the 318, the previous owner already pulled it out. I've got a line on a 440 that's somewhat built, need to verify the transmission that is currently in the car first though. Previous owner said it was the 727, fender tag says it should be the 904 so I'm not sure. Checking that out today once we get it in the shop, need to hurry the snow is coming!

[VegasCharger]

Awesome! Congrats and welcome!   

Those are some serious deep dish wheels.   

Agree. I would like to know the back spacing on those Cragars, especially the ones in the front.

[ACUDANUT]

904 Transmissions only fit small blocks. Some small blocks did have 727's but if it was hooked up to small block, it won't work on a big block.

[Nacho-RT74]

nice plain jane 71!... those are the nicest to custom builds

[kingdustin]

That's what I was reading....With my goal of driving it this summer, for now I think I'll stick with the 318 until I can find a motor/tranny combo. Since it was sitting so long I plan on ordering the front suspension rebuild kit and wiring harness. I've got a 318 rebuild kit already so once we've got room in the shop I'll start with that.

My dad and I plan on finishing organizing the shop, then stripping the car down and sand blasting it, to see what we're working with. Once we get that done, we'll try and fix what we can and take it to a couple local shops to get pricing info. I don't know if we'll be able to get the whole body fixed before this summer or not, but at least we'll know what we're working with. Budget isn't super high right now as I'm parting out my other race car but we've got a decent start.

I'll keep this updated as we go, here are the newest pics now that we've got it in the shop.

[Dino]

Not saying the plan isn't solid, but while waiting on the body to be done why not find yourself the engine and trans that you want? There's loads of them out there. I personally wouldn't spend a dime on the 318 unless you want to go back to stock, but it doesn't sound like you do. Park the 318 or sell it along with the 904 and build yourself a serious drive train. That's just my