Simon's 68 Charger 'Charlene'

Gas for GOSH · Post by **Gas for GOSH** » Sun Jan 18, 09 9:15 am

Time for a small update with some pictures from a run out on Friday:

Rear defog switch and bezel from Kev now in.
Ten inch wide rear smoothies back on now they fit with 275/60/15s.
MMA number and subtle Gas for GOSH sticker to advertise how Great Ormond Street gets a donation each time I'm out.

Rogue Trooper · Post by **Rogue Trooper** » Sun Jan 18, 09 12:55 pm

Way to go, just read it all again

vipergts · Post by **vipergts** » Sun Jan 18, 09 2:03 pm

Great work.

Love the way you're working through the car. She's looking pretty damn sharp.

Gas for GOSH · Post by **Gas for GOSH** » Tue Oct 06, 09 4:19 pm

I installed three point belts last week. As there has been some threads elsewhere on this I though I would share my thoughts on this.

The belts I chose were made by Billy Morris of Morris Classic Concepts in the US. Website is here - http://www.morrisclassicconcepts.com/

They make purpose made belts for various models and years. For example the plastic moulding for the clip part is contoured to fit quite tightly between the console lid and the seat. I took a chance here because my seats are not original 68 Charger seats. So if you have non-original seats ordering the specific year make/model seat will not guarantee they will fit. You will see what i mean from the pictures to follow.

First of all what do you get in the $299 kit. Well, you get speed sensitive belts , a lanyard, polished clips, moulded parts and comfy material belts. These are not sold as inertia belts but they do lock up nicely if you pull them too sharpish.

Second, before slicing my headliner I made sure both floor mounted sections fitted either side of my non-original seats.

Thirdly, locate the mounting hole in the roof. I had read the threads about the roof straps and assumed my Charger would have the hole. My Charger was not optioned with a roof mounted strap and I have a decent headliner so needed to know where to split it to find a mounting point in the roof. If you check the top left of the picture of a blue Charger without headliner (not mine) you will see the hole to aim for.

Gas for GOSH · Post by **Gas for GOSH** » Tue Oct 06, 09 4:30 pm

I aimed about 3/4 inch behind the glass line - the post it will give you an idea in inches of how far up to go. So I found the hole no problem with only a minimal split in the headliner.

The bolts for the two bottom mounted holes were spot on - right size and thread and tightened to 40 ft lbs if you follow the guidance. However, the roof holes in my Charger were about 2-3 mil too big and were not threaded.

So I bought some 3/4 hex bolts and rounded off two points so that the head of the bolt could just get forced into the hole and then pulled it forward/down slightly and used a locking washer to hold it.

The kit comes with a spacer to keep the moulding off the mounting point and allow it to be positioned. You put the thin end of the shaper into the kit and then bolt it to the roof.

Gas for GOSH · Post by **Gas for GOSH** » Tue Oct 06, 09 4:42 pm

When installed they look like this....

So, I like the look of them, the shoulder lanyard holds the belt in a good place, they do lock up if you move forward at speed and therefore should provide more safety than the lapbelt. Quality of strap and reel seems fine to me....dont know about the roof hole - I was expecting mine to be threaded and it wasn't. Plus the supplied bolt not fitting - does this mean you only get the threaded hole if the car was to be fitted with roof belt?? Anyhow no problems - I still have a secure mounting and MOT man is happy.

BUT if you are precious about belts hanging down at least you can see how obtrusive they are...I personally dont have a problem with that. The other consideration is how often do you take people in the back? It's a bit of a clamber to get over the reel/belts. It's very rare I'll have anyone else in other than Josh so it's no problem for me.

I guess the plastic mouldings on the console side wont stand up to much abuse but the metal and belt inside will be fine.

So if you're thinking of putting in three point belts hope you find this useful.

Ivor · Post by **Ivor** » Tue Oct 06, 09 4:45 pm

Superb stuff Simon, that should be in Connected!

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Tue Oct 06, 09 8:14 pm

Nice job Simon. I reckon those seatbelts are worth more than my entire interior!!

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Oct 07, 09 7:54 am

One of the best 'Workshop' threads in a long, long time. You have obviously put a lot of time into constructing the thread and even more into that cracking car of yours. Nice one.

Ivor is right - this should be serialised in Connected. This type of thread can be great encouragement of those just starting out in the hobby.

Keep it comin' Kimosabe

Roger · Post by **Roger** » Wed Oct 07, 09 7:27 pm

Excellent! I posted about these a few weeks ago, good to see someone here who has done it.

latil · Post by **latil** » Wed Oct 07, 09 7:34 pm

That's a very neat install

Gas for GOSH · Post by **Gas for GOSH** » Thu Oct 08, 09 6:50 pm

Thanks for all the positive comments guys

By the way...as far as the Gas for GOSH Appeal is concerned I will be sending off this year's money around 1st December. At £1 donation per start up it's going to be around £120 going to Great Ormond Street from 'Charlene' this year - more if the good weather keeps up!

Ivor/Clivey - I am quite happy for any of the thread to go in Connected just so long as the appeal gets another mention!

If anyone else wants to make a GOSH donation of any kind please PM me.

Cheers

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu Oct 08, 09 8:40 pm

Thats a done deal mate. Now, I can either copy all your text and edit it, or you can write an appropriate piece yourself. I know Steve (the editor) will be happy to receive your contribution. You would be amazed at how few offers he gets even with a club with this many members. will be a great read.

Clivey

Gas for GOSH · Post by **Gas for GOSH** » Thu Oct 08, 09 8:58 pm

Cheers Clivey - feel free to just lift what you or Steve want from the text or pictures. Obviously there's some typo's in the text -especially those I did late at night

and the pictures have been resized for posting. If you want any pics in their original size I can stick 'em on a disc and sent it.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Oct 09, 09 8:11 am

Quite happy to do that for you fella. I'll contact you via PM / e-mail from now on - otherwise all the suprise will be gone from the article.

E-mailing the pictures in JPEG format to me directly would be more helpful.

I'll cobble an article together and let you have it for proof reading before it goes to Steve.

Don't worry about the typo's / English - this isnt a board of literary excellence ykno