RATTY 1969 Charger 1,400+ Mile Road Trip! Will It Survive?

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." -John 14:27
My 1969 Charger has been being restored for quite some time. We attempt Hot Rod Power Tour 2024, which will be over 1,400 miles total! Think we can make it? Stick around to end to find out!
MERCH: dylanmccool.bigcartel.com
INSTAGRAM: @dylanmccool
FACEBOOK: dylanmccool1970
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Dylan McCool
PO Box 398
Hazel Green, AL 35750
#mccoolauto #abandoned #restoration

[@FreedomRock44]

I am so proud of you young guys keeping the CLASSICs ALIVE and Improving them on top!!!!! LOVE IT!!!!!!

[@FreedomRock44]

Dylan I love that you went with the Green Carpet Opposing the black Int. and matches the Doors cards.......NICE TOUCH!!!!!!!

[@Robert-qh2jp]

Love how sleeper dude put his sticker on you door glass 😂

[@danscott3880]

I was gonna mention that.

[@coreyrowe2052]

This was a true testament to how well you both built this car! You should both be very proud! Also, at the end of it all, I'm glad you put family as a priority. 🙏🙏🙏

[@Zelaznogsiul-63]

I enjoy watching videos of power tour, but it doesn’t look like fun being stuck in traffic for hours, I am glad you guys enjoyed it. Great video.

[@FreedomRock44]

Dylan I hear you....that wheel would drive me bonkers......Sounds like a rusted windmill on the farm. Especially since you put so much work in and there was no sign of that noise. But your attitude is great.....It just happens.

[@BMWTurbo]

Nice car. Suggest you reset the front toe with the steering wheel centered first. And, another opinion, I'd go with a 3.23 rear and a 4 speed overdrive transmission which will provide 2100 RPM at 60 MPH. So, get the best of cruise and track performance.

[@risinbison1106]

The first time I ever saw this channel was when you first started working on this Charger, you even had live questions which I asked and you answered. People love this channel because still so real compared to others on YT. 611,000 subscribers…..wow, you are truly blessed.

[@user-sc9sl7qd3s]

Hey mister, i wanted to say thank you for all of a affort you putting in these nice cars and this channel. I've just finished watching the Challenger series, its so cool to see a resurection of old legend. We, residents of eastern europe, are left with boring stuff, like GAZ 21, VOLGA 24 and so on. Keep up the hard work and God bless you.

[@Dogapult]

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. I love GAZ 21, and owned a rare 22nd, before it was stolen. I love to see videos of people resurrecting 21 and 24, Moskvich and etc etc.

[@clintwatters9131]

When ya getting a nice paint job 😜

[@tstephens128]

Charger ❤🥰 nice job on the resto, also thanks for sharing your faith! the world needs Jesus!

[@terrystines2536]

I AGREE !!!!! PRAISE GOD !!!!

[@onlyactive9710]

thank you for keeping that beauty. so happy you got it running good and down the road.

[@789costela]

That steering wheel my god! 😂

[@bernhardhiebert2597]

Great work on the charger, Dylan

[@JDHBASS2448]

The coincidence of you having to repair your oil-pan and using the phrase "i sawed my oil-pan in half!" after watching Kevin and the gang (Junkyard Digs) do the SAME EXACT THING on their pickup is funny on different levels. Not the fact of it happening to you guys but just the fact you all had to deal with the same thing and used the same phrase at different times is just crazy. Glad you guys made it safely and keep doing what you do!

[@JoE_Songs]

17:22 that got to me also. know exactly the feeling, in those beautiful moments.. happy for ya

[@tommyjarvis2869]

Dude I was waiting for you to drop this video when I seen you on Junkyard Digs video!

[@edwardkamenar1493]

After watching all these power tours, I have yet to see one Javelin.

[@markkeller1778]

And I appreciate you punching your knowledge into Briar, that boy got to see what it's all about thanks to you! And I hope you can fill his can with your knowledge. You have my respect.

[@edwardkamenar1493]

I see all the semi's out there on the road. It reminds me of when I drove semi and see all these classics on the road knowing there was some car gig going on and I'd think to myself how much I'd love to be "one of those guys" cruisin' in my classic and off playing at shows rather than having to be out here hauling all this freight around.

[@kman-mi7su]

Bravo!! I always love seeing old iron brought back alive by giving it a new lease on life. That's what makes your channel great.

[@JackHood-gy3cj]

❤I had a 1968 light green charger with dark green top and dark green interior from the time I was a sophomore in high school in 1972 until I finished JC in 1975. I worked that whole time at an Oldsmobile dealership paint and body shop. My car had custom dark green stripes in the hood inlets, a custom dark green strip around the back and a dark green fade up to light green along the side from the bottom of the rocker panels to the bottom of the doors. It was a 383 car and would really fly top end. A great car for $1350 which wasn’t cheap for a 16 year old back then. I know I’m from the older generation but paint the car. I did mine when I was 17 when we did nearly everything by hand. It’s not that hard. I can dig the rust look but only on an old pickup truck. I still like to see my face reflect in my cars.

[@6percentrecycled]

It was awesome to meet you and Briar on day 4 in Ohio. So cool to see my car in your video at the 2 hour mark. Been watching you for years. You and Kevin from Junkyard Digs inspired me to start my KZbin channel. Keep up the great work👍

[@notsure8041]

Those seats are a little much. They look like a video game chair but the rest of the car is A+

[@neil6212]

Spraying water...This is an old, but very effective solution, even on air conditioners (fixed and automotive) The water under the car isn't the amount used, but actually the amount "wasted". The amount of water being sprayed is actually the amount that will vaporize when in use; you will leave nearly no water on the ground. Also see "Black bodies radiation" in your old Physics text book, or Google it. Painting the radiator with a very thin coat of flat black paint (like the factory does) will help more than you might guess! Your gear change will definitely help the MPG, and if you don't run out of power first, it should be good for about 149 top end. I'm old school, and thought 3.08 was a really low ratio, running H70-15 tires, or even 235-70 15. GREAT mechanical restoration!! You can fix the rear end chatter by adding a bottle of Limited slip additive to the rear. You can get it your friendly dealer's.

[@hobizoli]

thats called "anodizing"

[@natejones963]

That ring setup is a pain in the ass. Fords setup is much easier. No wonder everyone puts a 9” in everything. I’ll be swapping gears in my challenger here soon. Taller, 3.40 to 3.00

[@mtrgv]

Great to see the Dodge Charger back on the road. Smart decision changing the gear ratio to highway gears. Your Charger would look great in dark forest green or black cherry red. I suggest you remove the electric fans & wiring. Get yourself a stock Dodge fan shroud, a viscous clutch and VC fan. I believe the temperature of the engine will stay around 200 degrees at idle in park or in drive waiting at a stoplight etc.

[@cameronbrooking4251]

You should try water wetter to help keep your car cooler. I’ve had good luck using it

[@arrowhead455]

I had a slant 6 Duster, and the cleanest look was body color wheels with the dog dish caps. Great look!

[@merrillschaps2325]

You're really making me miss my Y2 Sunfire Yellow '69 Charger R/T. These are the best looking MOPAR muscle cars of this era I think!

[@moparconnection]

Great work! Bummed you didn't get to finish the Long Haul, Dylan! When the dust settles, let's try to troubleshoot your heating issue. -K

[@michaelgregorich3774]

Somebody call kevin tetz, dylan needs some paintucation

[@kevinbhola9408]

I Totally agree.

[@scottjackson1636]

At the very least go visit Pole Barn. I hate patina.

[@jeffsmith-ze6wb]

This is just another typical Dylan McCool video!!! AWESOME work as always!!!!!! THANKS for another great video! !!

[@mrmoss149]

Dylan: two words- gear vendors.

[@jimmyraythomason1]

I like the wheels but I have never liked wheels that are over 15" on classic muscle cars. I grew up in the '60s and '70s and had a lot of nice muscle cars so I prefer period correct wheels and tires. That Charger deserves a nice paint job!! Black or dark green would be perfect! I'm 71 years old so, YES, I'm a boomer and proud of it but I knew these cars in their heyday and think that's how they need to look.

[@XEboi]

Yep handle & ride so much worse on 18"

[@rennkafer13]

@@XEboi ride, maybe... handle, definitely not. Far, far better selection of performance tires in 17"/18" than there are in 15".

[@zairomolino4074]

I think 17 is the biggest you should go

[@michaelmaccallum8011]

Love the 18s

[@user-nl6oo2wx2e]

I agree with you 100 percent, I’m a boomer myself. I live in Ohio and see these young men with classic cars and have like 20&22 in tires and it makes the car look like crap.

[@clawwill34]

Maybe I was just lucky on past tours but 2024 had the worst lines I've ever had to sit in. Was awesome to meet you!

[@eleric4028]

I'm glad you brought back the 69 Charger content. Bring back the Challenger content. I dare you to own a 73 Charger or a Coronet Charger

[@OHtoBama]

Looks like a great trip! Really makes me kick myself for selling my 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Broughman several years ago. Maybe someday I'll have the chance to get another and start making some of these events!

[@coolestchannel4413]

Great work! Love how the charger is coming along. I have a helical unit in my 8 3/4 489 case forged yoke and 3.23 gears. 500 Miles one gear oil change and inspection and after that refill and that's it. No rebuilding clutches. Got it through Mopar madness but it was contracted out to a professional builder and then shipped to me. Cost 1,918.00 shipped.

[@EarlsBackYard]

It was awesome to see the charger back bud I’m so happy you took it on power tour again someday I hope to take my truck when I get done with the engine and cam swap

[@Gadgetman1989]

It's a 1969 chodge Darger!! Wanna get in Elliot? Excellent work Dylan!!!

[@bear1245]

A chodge Darger 😂

[@john242ti]

Glad I'm not the only one who does that... lol Maybe next year, he'll take his Rymouth Ploadrunner.

[@JasonAlexander-uz4ns]

The wet from the window also is why your wipers and turn single and squeak in steering wheel . Great car I like what you have done but I think I would paint more green to the paint

[@mickeyfox5]

Just a comment for cooling. To keep my 440 cool in my 72 RoadRunner I run a derale dual fan pack. They each pull about 2,400 cfm. It only needs one to maintain 190-195 in traffic all day long. I also added a separate trans cooler which seemed to help keep everything happy as well. Just sharing some things that I have found out as I used to have some overheating problems.

[@johnburch6927]

Loved the trip, thanks for taking us along. Special thanks, as a graduate of NADC, the Trinity Lane exit towards the end was nice. April '86 NADC graduate, an incredible trade school, or was. Thanks

[@danscott3880]

Love the dog dish or poverty caps. They look great. Saw u on sleeperdudes channel. You ever get his sticker off. Lol

[@gaza698]

from the very first time you introduced this charger its been a pleasure through out to watch you and the cars journey, i love it.

[@davesayers5809]

I like the original bucket seat and Cragars Mags but it’s your car Dylan! 🇺🇸💪🇺🇸

[@jimjacobson8758]

Love the new wheels! I had steel wheels & dog dish caps on a demon 340 back in 71 & I really love the look. You know what they say: “ the money’s in the motor” ! Can’t believe what people pay for wheels! Great video!

[@ianmckay1780]

That was one hell of a road trip, and the same can be said of the video. I too was glad it's over, didn't make it without having to have a break to watch something else (OK Diesel Creek), but glad you finished up having said that you love the car, and will be using it again next time. Thanks for the ride, look forward to the next project, until then BCNU. From UK.

[@bengone3349]

Nice Dillon! Good coverage, neat cars, funny cars also. Remember to add sealant to the windshield and please CLEAN the windows.

[@christinemcgowan6086]

Once you get it painted, it will be an awesome car! And put a headliner in it too!

[@David-jz1qh]

He can’t paint

[@christinemcgowan6086]

@@David-jz1qh then he could pay someone. I’m pretty sure he has the cash. 😏

[@dandrson7903]

I like the way he does things better than the way I can't.

[@randalltucker1900]

Hey. Love what you do.. the Charger is one of my favorite muscle cars. Now go be the uncle God wants you to be. Congratulations. God bless you. See you in the next one.

[@davidcampbell4995]

Hello from Scotland , I'm loving your solution for your overheating issue , in our workshop we have a saying There are no problems only solutions Keep up the good work

[@jcmcclellan82]

Would a standard clutch fan and factory shroud along with a pusher fan help with the heating issue? I'd love to see an in depth look into what was causing the issues.

[@Joyboy13257]

The Hemi swapped Cuda at 1:59:43 was my buddy Alex Baker’s car. His old Sweptline was on the t-shirt this year. Last day of Power tour this year he sold/traded the Cuda for a real 1968 Charger R/T that had been restomodded.

[@xephon3000]

What a trip this video was. Thanks for taking us along for the ride!

[@stevezanone2937]

Was pretty cool seeing my Duster in your video. It showed up in Louisville on your drive in. Was sitting with the hood up. Guy wanted to check out my Magnum swap

[@edwardkamenar1493]

The key to limit the tire rubbing is to move the heaviest stuff out of the trunk and put it in the back seat. That will move the fulcrum of the weight distribution and they probably wouldn't rub near as much.

[@VL1975]

I thought you had abandoned KZbin for Facebook for awhile there. Glad to see another long video up!

[@IrishOutlawGarage]

Great Vid! So that Pontiac Ambulance decided to shear off all 5 passenger rear wheel studs off in Cincinnati 😁 Finding those was a blast but we made it. Was great seeing ya 👍

[@boxjoint]

You really dig that 70's/80's diplomat police car wheels look. Nice!

[@jonlennon3348]

Dylan I never judge but that car is so iconic a fair paint job should be done to preserve such a rare vehicle. You did a stellar job sprucing the interior up.

[@kblinn68]

why is the steering wheel always crooked/off center?

[@Arlie-nk2nt]

He changed the steering wheel when the alignment was off

[@invisiblecouch]

26 inch radiator, Fan shroud and a mechanical fan. It'll stay cool.

[@edwardkamenar1493]

Looks like when he did the alignment he forgot to put the steering wheel straight.

[@coolestchannel4413]

No offense but with the gear oil spilling over it's time to invest in one of those kiddie pools 😂 saves a lot of kitty litter 😂

[@Chris-qv5mc]

Amazing car. There was a guy that lived in my neighborhood that had an old green charger just like this rotting in his driveway when I was growing up. Passed it every time I walked my dog as a kid. By the time I got my license and a scraped together a few bucks, it was gone 😔

[@mmoats4294]

Great video. Enjoyed every bit of it. Best video you have put out since I have been watching.

[@nogarage_garage]

HA! Got to see my boring old Ford Expedition a couple of times. This was my first HRPT. I was parked a couple of cars down in Lebanon and seen you recording. I had no clue who you were and to be honest, until this video popped up in my suggested feed, never heard of you. Guess you now have a new subscriber. God bless. Maybe I'll see you next year. I'll be in a beat up OBS with a spicey little V6. ;)

[@rexkean]

Now all you need is..... A/C!!!!!😂

[@tedstriker754]

Cop car wheels. I like the ones you took off better. Or the factory wheels. I had a '70 Roadrunner back in the day, with a 383. It was fast. I see a lot of similarity with that car, especially in the interior. I remember going to the races in Daytona when those were winning, and it was when the superbird was racing, until Bill France decided he didn't want wings and other more extreme mods on the racetrack. The factory set them up with Carter Thermoquad carbs. I think mine was like 900 or so CFM. So they set them up right.

[@FangOfTruth]

2:02:59 I noticed you fixed the squeaky wheel. Reminded me of an old windmill.

[@R3TR0R4V3]

Not crazy about the wheels, but the interior looks absolutely fantastic. For god sakes though, paint that ol' girl, will ya! She certainly deserves it at this point. 🤘

[@alynwilson5694]

Very good video! You and sleeperdude make the best content and yalls editing is great!

[@thagerdorn2009]

You'd think that all these years later they would have had getting into the venues taken care of. We started in Hebron this year since Trails is 10 minutes from our house, and we got there early and had zero issues. Even got our credentials before the venue opened. And Indy was easy to get into as well. But I heard Beech Bend and Nashville were horrible to get into

[@canadianintheukbrian]

I n the UK with the Net Zero crap going on in 2030 these old cars are going to be museum pieces it's great to see these old cars running on the road I remember them brand new on car lots , I really love your passion for these old classics what I really love Dylan is how you keep it stock with the wheels , I would give her a good paint job but with the original paint colour , thanks for keeping these cars running !!

[@sugartreefordman7293]

Charger's sweet! Cool looking club cab in the shop please do a video on it

[@thewyattfletcher]

Thanks for the vid. You know, I used to look forward to everyone's vids of Power Tour with the thought I might like to do it personally sometime. But every year, the traffic and waiting to get into the venues seems to get worse and worse, to the point that I've seen enough from this year's PT that I think I'm over the idea of going. Maybe it's just time for a PT East and PT West to alleviate some of the traffic and hassles for those that attend. In any case, congrats on a successfull PT2024 and thanks for the content. Cheers.

[@mistermacgray]

Hook your water sprayer setup to a turn signal relay so it does bursts of water rather than constant, double your time of used, and not waste as much.

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

This was pretty cool but I would be so embarrassed to be in that thing lol. I don't even get the faded finish look, let alone the junky/ ratty look like this, but to each their own. I would at least strip it all down, put it in epoxy sealer to keep it from rusting more. Love classic cars. Iconic ones like this deserve to be nicely done up.

[@jamiemineer4879]

I love it, I wish I would kept my RT from years ago however, please at least spray can the lower part of the car a green and hide the primer spots

[@bradduczek6981]

good job you guys.....Finally Briar got to drive....

[@jeffsmith-ze6wb]

Stopping and getting that pilot flying J fuel your lucky if you’ll make it home with their gas 🤣🤣🤣

[@bigreeny70]

I understand leaving it as is but a budget paint job to protect that steel? Kevin from paintuction isn’t far maybe collab??

[@Hootman865]

Hey bud years ago we opened the headlight doors and it seemed to help our charger. 1970 SE 383 pistle grip, AC front disk car. She always ran hot

[@genmaxpain]

i had the same happen to my diff as draining it, i mopped up, then i dumped petrol on it and mopped that up and kept dumping fresh petrol on it and as the petrol evaporates it pulls the oil out of the pores of the concrete, i literally have NO oil in the concrete, and no staining, in fact its whiter, brighter and cleaner(i had brand new concrete) and its even cleaner now

[@petecunnien5368]

What a beautiful car Dylan!! Those tires and rims are the absolute perfect fit but the interior is just perfect!!

[@friguy4444]

I'm not gonna say it because I'm sure a thousand others already have! That's right I'm NOT gonna say that you need to fix your steering wheel so it's centered properly. Nope not me!! You can do whatever you like with your wheel! It's yours after all. Who am I to tell you that if you don't it's gonna drive me crazy watching you steer that beauty with the wheel on crooked. No WAY! I don't roll like that! I say live and let live I say Do unto others as their steering wheel wants to be done. That's right No cryin like a baby here no sir. I'll just......AHHHH FIX IT FIX IT I CAN'T STAND IT ANY MORE!!! AHHH!!!...............Oops. Slipped. Sorry. LOL. I LOVE the channel thank you and ROCK ON in CHRIST JESUS name!! CHRIST IS KING!!

[@stephenspilker9334]

now all ya need is a good paintjob. the patina look is ok but a shiney paint job up's it's value.

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

This is faded finish (french word "patina"). This is just junky. The car deserves better than this fad. Junky, faded paint and circus wheels are ruining classic cars. Two fads that should have never been.

[@clawwill34]

@@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism Free country. We can disagree but 100 pounds of chrome is tacky. Not everyone wants a show car. When I see something pretty that's all I think is that it's all show and no go. Car shows would be pretty boring if all the cars were done up in the exact same fashion. Looking all pretty just to sit in a garage. Most likely the patina car actually gets driven.

[@damianjackson9084]

​@@Warrior_Resisting_ColonialismI'm not sure how many times he has to say it he likes how it is and hes never gonna paint it .

[@damianjackson9084]

This is a never sell car and that's exactly why hes keeping it how he likes it

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

@@damianjackson9084 Some of us don't like the trashy, hillbilly look. Don't like us saying so, oh well. He has the right to like it, while we have the right to think it looks like junk.

[@WaydeBurgess-yv4sq]

Glad you guys had a good trip and time

[@johnfitzpatrick2469]

G,day Dylan from Sydney Australia. What about an orange paint job and "General Lee" markings? 🌏🇦🇺

[@curtisdefreece9921]

Steering wheels is still crooked after alignment. That would drive me crazy.

[@xeronicus]

that garden hose setup is the same thing I did to my supercharged mini cooper to cut temps down, it works WELL

[@Brimstone667]

Congrats Uncle!!!! I just had a new baby niece the other day myself!!!!

[@BMan100]

...the offset steering wheel just irks me... lol sorry had to.

[@sr71blackbirddr]

The 58 plymouth would be a good shout for next year.

[@steveharper3559]

Dillon, I know you’re young and building your business- hey, you have proper new shop and a wildfire 9000! Impressive. The storage racking, forklift and machine tools will come in time. But can’t you manage some folding tables? You know, to set stuff on?

[@walterrobbins4470]

I’m glad to see it getting the attention that you did to your challenger

[@auteurfiddler8706]

The problem with that water spray idea is that the calcium and other things will build up on the radiator unless maybe you use distilled water. There was a video where a guy drove a converted v8 pinto across the country and he used a hand pump water sprayer, i think the type used to spray weed killer on a lawn. He had a co driver pump it. But, he started out wrong because the radiator and the single electric fan were both too small for a v8. The video was pretty popular. I was as long as The Odyssey split into three long segments. Electric fans are a terrible idea for a street car. The best set up is a dual fan set from a Mark VIII and even that was designed for a very small engine.