1968 Dodge Charger Restoration - Episode 32 - Wheelhouse & Deck Filler Lower Plenum Install

Hello and welcome to my channel! I want to introduce my 1968 Dodge Charger project car. This car requires a complete restoration and I will do my best to document the process in what will be a long series of videos.
In this episode I start by finishing the install of the inner and outer wheelhouses. I had a little bit of rework to do from the holes I mistakenly drilled previously in the rear seat pan. Once that is wrapped up, I went ahead and test fit my quarter panels and permanently installed the rear window deck filler lower plenum.
If you'd like to support the channel, please check out our merch below! Also follow me on Instagram for more pictures of the build. @Rust_Bucket_Restos

[@weaverhchrist]

DEFINITELY the best music of any of the You Tubers I follow!

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Thanks man! 🤘🤘

[@weaverhchrist]

Keep on rockin son!

[@DScaglione.]

“… Starting to look like a Charger …” Part 32 😁 Excellent Job! Excellent Fit-ment! God Bless! 😎

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Thanks!

[@warrenmccann9156]

Haters? Really, who would hate on this.

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Plenty of shitheads out there…

[@gunjiweber42]

Noticing on every video your shop is more & more complete! Takes time, definitely

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

& a whole lot of money!

[@gunjiweber42]

Perfect!!!!

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

🙏

[@mrpurcountry]

She's really coming together and looking good

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Thanks! 🤙

[@thevinylcollector3472]

Awesome video you did a amazing job welding on the car

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Thanks man

[@deanjohnson2249]

I don't normally comment on too many shows that I watch. But you said you had hater? I don't see how you can have any haters anyone who's never done Bodywork before is learning a lot. Thank you for your time. I realize it must be a lot of research to do what you do on your videos. And I just want to say I appreciate your time and investment that you put into our videos that we get to watch.

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Thanks for the kind words! Yes, some people get upset when these cars aren’t restored to factory original. They’d rather let them rot in fields vs building them into restomods

[@renewableenergy-ceramiccoa7464]

Always enjoy your videos…you never skip a step …very nice job!

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Thanks for watching! 🤘🤘

[@АлександрБочаров-о3е]

Hey! the car is back to its original shape! cool

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Thanks for watching!

[@bradsrestorations1085]

Fantastic work! Big progress taking place. Keep up the good work.

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Thanks brother 🤘🤘

[@peterselten500]

Well done thats been one hell of a job its come so far since the first show

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Sure has! Thanks Peter!

[@katt1073]

My God! how many welds have you made from the start. More than any other resto I watched. !!

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

2,374… ive counted them all!

[@malcolmhamilton5200]

Beauty job. Those oversized wheel wells look like they came from the factory. Loved when you were standing in your trunk drilling out the parcel shelf holes. Won't be able to ever do that again, soon enough. Ton of work accomplished in that one. That gorgeous tunnel back rear end is a lot of work. Wonder if the competition appreciated the beautiful view on the strip and streets back then, and now. Between the tunnel back, the mean looking flip light front end/grill and overall coke bottle styling, it's small wonder your 68' stole the then new Stingray's thunder upon debut. You're going to love this car to death, just like we did back when these were new. Admire your drive and precision Malcolm Ottawa Valley

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

I can’t wait to get her on the road! Thanks for watching Malcolm!

[@kingearl2596]

I live in central Europe (far away), but you are my hero! Great job!!

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Thanks Earl! 😎🤘

[@jasonedens2301]

It's coming together really nicely

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Thanks Jason!

[@CorollaMAD97]

Has come such a long way you've gone above and beyond on this car wish i had your patience lol

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

I’m running out! I’m ready to see some color on this thing!

[@CorollaMAD97]

@@rustbucketrestos6511 😆 I'd say so , it'll be awesome to see one colour that's for sure

[@luistoledo6729]

Good Job welding, can tell you have plenty of practice only half ass welder like myself knows how much practice it takes

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Thanks man! I’ve had plenty of practice on my shitboxes!

[@kenny3217]

I love all the paint brush bristles stuck in the POR15 on the deck lid support. That stuff just eats up those cheap disposable brushes.

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

100%!

[@KrishnaDraws]

Digging the progress! I’ve been following this build since you first picked it up. Keep up the amazing work!

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Awesome, thanks for watching!

[@JackBWatkins]

Hold my beer while I practice some welds where I practiced with my hole punch.

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Plenty of practice on this ol girl!

[@Scottcomedian]

🙏 Not sure where to Vote for Charger car Color. My philosophy - Mopars are meant to be Bright & Bold!! 😎 Love their pallets!! So - I’m Praying you go with the PURPLE!! 🤞

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Green won the voting!

[@dgadver]

Awesome job!!!! You are crankin' out the welds. Gonna be such a nice car when completed!!!!!

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Getting close to finishing the metal work!

[@bgee461]

Man, I'm subbing... this is great content. Awesome quality video, editing, and best of all, a LOT of work. Love seeing cars get saved 🙌

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Thanks for watching!

[@scotthay1486]

Another good video documenting your work. The vehicle is progressing well. Amazed at all the replacement parts available. Best regards.

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Just about every piece can be bought out of a catalog nowadays!

[@jnng7463]

I haven't found much of a difference using copper weld primer or the red weld primer. Its all preference; I bought a can after seeing some of Chris' video long ago, same goes for using a copper bar as a backing. You learn so much from Ytube vids just like your videos does

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Yessir! Thanks for watching!

[@bizeerog2281]

Doing a top notch job! Don't forget the lower c-pillar support that gets welded in the lower side of the rear window opening when you get to that point. You are probably already aware of this important little support bracket but thought I should mention it.

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Yep!

[@billmiller5075]

Nice work

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Thanks Bill!

[@davidsaner2942]

I love guys like you that bring old cars back from the dead I can't wait to see the Cuda and what's up with the GTO

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Got a TON of work to do!

[@wastingmymoneyonmotorcycles]

Great progress!

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Thanks!

[@robertreavley7145]

Cracking! You’ve completed another great step! Your comprehensive practical method has a definitive quality! Looking forward to seeing the next video bud!! Thank you!!!

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Thanks for the kind words!! 😎🤙

[@robertreavley7145]

@@rustbucketrestos6511 always welcome bud!!

[@garryhatchett775]

Good job👍

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Thanks man! 😎🤙

[@stigrunetefke2157]

Nice work you do :) :) :)

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Thanks for watching!

[@paulgunter1538]

Always enjoy watching the progress on the Charger !

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Thanks for watching Paul!

[@2koolchris291]

Dang she’s come so far. Can’t wait to see her on the ground revving her engine. Good work. I hope when I rebuild my future classic Cougar I want to get, that I can do half as good as what you have done. Looking forward to the next video.

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Sounds like a fun project!

[@ct71rr20]

Nice work! Just a suggestion; on my car when I do plug welds, I leave the EDP coating on the panel I’m welding to (it offers way more protection than the copper weld through) and then clamp the other panel, the one that I have punched/drilled the holes in, to it. I then use a square end mill bit that fits the hole and grind off the EDP that’s in the hole, exposing bare metal. I then plug weld the hole. This way you’re not sanding off all that EDP and applying weld through to all the seams.

[@oacumulador]

Thats correct. Good tip.

[@Star69ca]

Да-да, можно вместо фрезы использовать сверло заточенное в 90º

[@ct71rr20]

@@Star69ca Yes, that works too. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGLNiYGcf89ll8U

[@hubertbelden652]

You’re doing a great job buddy 👍🇺🇸

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Thanks brother! 🤘🤘

[@russclewley6945]

Looking good! Going to be a beautiful car no doubt!

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Getting there!

[@AdeReeves]

Well worth waiting for ...Good work...

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Thanks for watching! 🤘🤘

[@enforcer5053]

great progress! Im at the same stage with my challenger! keep rolling and get that on the road! :)

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Can’t wait!!!

[@jasonseal2692]

Awesome entertaining channel. Just wondering if you’ve decided on what engine you’ll be running? Early carb, early fuel injected, late model EFI, or maybe a carb on a modern roller engine. I truly hope your gonna build it with the “man pedal” installed. Nothing any better than a 1 - 2 speed shift. So many choices.

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Engine reveal this weekend! & yes, it has a man pedal!

[@cw2lido]

Looks amazing!

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Thanks! 🤘🤘

[@cw2lido]

@@rustbucketrestos6511 your Charger is going to be a brand new car when you get done. I had to watch the first video again and it was good to hear the story of the cars end with one family and It’s beginning with yours. Come such a long way! Can’t wait to see the rear quarters go back on for good.

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Me neither! It is amazing to see how far it’s come.

[@katt1073]

Eastman doesn't have a portable robot welder like the factory to do 100's of welds LOL

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Plug welds will do!

[@katt1073]

@@rustbucketrestos6511 I'm restoring a 57 Thunderbird. They taught the Charger how to rust 😄

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Sweeeet!

[@Sixguns1]

This thing was a total pile of shit iron oxidizing it's way back into the earth from which it came. You took what most would consider a total loss and saved it from that fate and for that I commend you! I look forward to watching this car transform into the beast that it will become. Great job man, all of your hard work is really paying off.

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Thanks man!

[@shalita76]

I’m absolutely loving ALL of the videos! Amazing and speedy progress and I can’t wait for more! I do have a question: what about the original roof skin and the original roof bracing underneath? Surely there will be at least surface rust between those two pieces. I’m no fan of doing unnecessary work, but I’m about to tackle two 66 goats and am wondering what’s the best way to go about protecting the panels against future rust in between double panels like this. Thanks so much for your channel and efforts!

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

I’m going to blast the underside and access everything I can before soaking it all in rust converter and por15.

[@scottkovacs7634]

Buddy that car has came along way from when you first bought it and drug it out of the field out here in Ohio. Know I can't wait to see the cuda.

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Me neither!!

[@scottkovacs7634]

@@rustbucketrestos6511 now are you going to fill in the square 69 holes and drill out round holes for the 68 style side marker lamps

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Eventually, yes

[@TheREALJosephTurner]

Dang it! I missed the live feed again. Looks like you're moving along pretty nicely, she's starting to look like a Charger again. Once all the metal work is done, is the next step everything under the car? And what are your plans for the metal under the car? Paint? Body color? Or some other kind of coating? Same questions for the trunk area. Thanks for doing such in-depth videos- I know it can't be easy to film/edit/post while building the car at the same time!

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

That’s the plan! The bottom side needs to look as good as the top!

[@dthomas5768]

will you be painting wheel houses and inner structure before installing the rear quarters ? and will you be lizard skinning and painting the rear inner quarters ?

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Sure will!

[@theabomb2037]

Looks so good man, I can’t wait to see the finished product , did you figure out how to reinstall your window rails ?

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

That’s coming in the next video!

[@YT-hr3xx]

Great Job! I've been following this project since the beginning. I know how it is - last year replaced the LR fender on Mitsubishi Lancer, my fathers car. I've just missed one part - do it needed the door gap alligment befor the fender welding? or it fits direcltly on the place of inner reinforsment? ( I'm not familar with this car body structure, we have very few such cars in my country. But I'm a fan of american classic cars) And what about the Lizardskin? - Are you going to put it by brush or spray it by airgun?

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

I’ll be using a paint gun specifically designed for lizard skin. There is still some minor tweaking needed before I weld the quarters in permanently. Once I do that I’ll be making a video where I show you guys how to get your gaps perfect all the way around your doors, deck lid, fenders, and hood!

[@mightymikethebear]

The car will soon have a complete body. Are you going straight to paint prep or are you going to start working on the Challenger?

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Still have a few odds and ends to do before getting ready for paint. Still have the chassis stiffening kit, a door skin, and drip rails to do. Ill be working on the Cuda in between

[@mightymikethebear]

@@rustbucketrestos6511 thanks for the info

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Anytime!

[@jimmyterrell2467]

Nice work! You are almost there! Quick question, did you have to remove any lead when you took off the old quarters? I’m at that spot and just wondered if I need a real torch or if my average wal mart propane torch will do?

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Yep, grab a magnet and see where it doesn’t stick near your quarter seam. Take a yellow bottle of map gas from your local Home Depot and burn it out. Also get a cheap wire brush to brush it away when burning. Starts melting within about 3 seconds of contact.

[@jimmyterrell2467]

@@rustbucketrestos6511 Thanks! I can just get the right gas mix and I’ll be in business! Thanks for the guidance!

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Yep! It’s in the yellow container

[@randomprecisionmotors3130]

Eh, haters gonna hate. They're just jealous because they ain't got the gumption (let alone the facilities) to do a job like that. My hat's off to guys like you, DD Speedshop up there in 'sunny' Manitoba, Junkerup...you guys are bringin' the old muscle back to life again...maybe you should redo a Nomad too?

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

That would be cool!

[@rangercwgbear6352]

Hick yeh buddy she is saying here I come on I’m going to show you what hard work can do I’m going to be the vodoo queen lol I’m doing the biggest burn out for you lol

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Can’t wait for that moment!

[@mattt4666]

Just wondering if you are going to coat the inner structure with a rust proof spray before permanently installing the rear quarters?

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

That’s the plan! Por15 on almost everything!

[@mattt4666]

@@rustbucketrestos6511 I don’t claim to be a welder, actually far from it. However, after watching you remove parts that are welded together, I used that technique tearing down an electric fireplace. I needed a panel for the new one to fill in a gap. It worked out well so thank you for showing us that.

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

awesome!

[@relaxinmaxin7246]

What radio station do you listen to when you work?

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

I typically just listen to music on KZbin

[@relaxinmaxin7246]

@@rustbucketrestos6511 I need to know where you get your inspiration.

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Death metal & energy drinks are a good start! 😎🤙

[@tomswindler64]

Great video as always,glad to see you back on charger.where you storing the challenger at,plus what status on camaro ,much more to do.3 projects going on.getting crowded.????? Keep doing what your doing.👍👍👍😎😎😎

[@ventgoblin8080]

He sold the camaro like he said in his last Q and A

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Thanks for watching! Plenty of work to do!

[@roybrooks3913]

We're do you put the other cars you are working on

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

They are all on wheels! They go outside for the day & come back in at night when I’m done.

[@CrankAddict]

You sure seem to use POR15 a lot. POR15 works best on raw metal that has light surface rust. A pristine EDP panel is not the best substrate for it, even if scuffed up a bit. I'm not a pro, but I would use epoxy primer in those locations with EDP.

[@timconant543]

Who could hate what your doing?

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

There are a few…

[@tonni4274]

we have a lot of salt and shit on the roads were i live so i have panelbond between all my panels to make sure my shitbox dont ever rust agein

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Good idea!

[@roywaite5793]

Love your videos. You are doing a great job. Was wondering if you have ever watched Junkerup #chris birdsong Chanel? He has restored a number of chargers and mainly shows the metal work being replaced like yourself. He has some neat tricks, and shows ways to make things better than factory.

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Yep, been a fan of his for years!

[@joebacarella2829]

I just watched Chris Birdsong finish the entire rear of the General Lee 69 Charger, he had screws and a million clamps holding everything together, wheelwells, quarters, rear deck panel, tailight panel, rear valance, he went into great detail how you have to keep the entire rear loose, because you have to tweek, raise, lift or widen to get that rear valance to fit perfectly to the corner ends, which he had to repair and widen one of them, he had to widen the tops of the quarters to fit the door line perfectly. You don`t seem to be having any of these problems, are you going to put the entire rear panels in place before you weld those quarters, he had to change the radius of the corner rear window on one of the quarters because it didn`t line up properly, have you seen the video? It seems that your panels are perfect from AMD, his sure were not. rear deck panel did not line up properly to the quarter in one corner, or are all the original screw holes you drilled previously just going to fall into place. His was a nightmare, your build seems to be going very smoothly. Hats off to you for the fit and finish, so what`s up, big difference, from these two builds, Chris was pulling his hair out hehe.

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

There is a ton of little tweaks that have to be done to fit the pieces properly. Yes, the car will be completely a screwed together on the ass end before I start welding any of it. Fitting the tail panel between the rear quarters is always a challenge. The pieces fit together very tight! Getting all of the big metal to line up is only 1/2 the battle. I will be posting some videos on gapping and panel matching in upcoming video that will cover a lot of the tweaking that will need to be done before moving it on to bodywork

[@joebacarella2829]

@@rustbucketrestos6511 The lizard skin is a great idea, not only for rust but for sound and stiffening as well, I would also do the inner front fenders, will you be making sub frame connectors? Will you be sending it out for paint and body, or do you do that as well. Can not wait to see it all burned in, gotta love those 68`s. I always wondered if there was a stock correct gap for all the panels and door gaps, you know like on the comercial where they take that ball bearing and let it roll down the seams of the Mercedies Benz, and it rolls smooth as can be, The 68 is a dream car for me, it`s all about those tailights, you are doing a fine job my friend.

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Thanks! Yes I’ll be covering everything you mentioned in upcoming videos. I do it all myself!

[@patkimpston117]

Harbor Freight sanding belts for those air files are absolute garbage. Ask me how I know. I got some really good ones on Amazon. Last a long time. HF belts will brake within 5 minutes.

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

Yes they are!

[@patkimpston117]

I’ve had good luck with “Red Label Abrasives”. Sold on Amazon. Good luck

[@rustbucketrestos6511]

I’ll check those out!

[@deanjohnson2249]

PS I would really like the baseball jersey in a 4X if you could contact me that be great I'm willing to pay.