Will This 1969 Dodge Charger Drive 2400 Miles Across America? Junkyards, Project Cars, Mt. Rushmore!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ส.ค. 2024
- Today, on a special collector's edition of Dead Dodge Garage, we take this show on the road. This gorgeous 318 powered '69 Charger should be up to driving 2400 miles across nine states... right? Well, maybe - but since its restoration was finished in 2008, it hasn't even driven 1,000 miles total, so success absolutely isn't guaranteed. With extra project cars, a junkyard full of classics, beautiful American road scenes, little tidbits of useful technical and diagnostic information, and the particular sense of humor you've come to know and tolerate on the channel, this video really exemplifies the best that DDG has to offer. It's "What's The Worst That Could Happen? An American Road Trip Odyssey." Thanks are due as usual to my #1 enabler, @rocketresto , as well as @Roosters_Restos , @flyingmspeed , and many others across the country.
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thanks for taking me along on your roadtrip - was good fun.
Well done. Brings back memories from nursing a 1973 Dodge Charger 1,100 miles to Michigan, on a budget of about $100.
Yep would go with the 69 and a mild 360 for a good cruiser.
That very ending was absolutely epic!!! Hahahhah😂😂😂😂. Seriously though! What a magnificent video…. You put a lot of work in that.
My dad being a Mopar guy always carried a ballast resistor and points and condensers in the glove box just in case .hell in the Trunk he had a milk carton complete new water pump belts and alternator fuel pump tools .his daily drive to work was 100 miles round trip and there was a state game area that he had to pass through totally void of civilization for a 10 mile stretch .so if anything broke he was on his own to fix it and get to where he was heading.many times his being prepared saved his hide on the side of the road .that little Plymouth valiant gave our family many years of service before it rust out the front torsion bar on the driver's side .he put the old girl down on the back side of our pasture and got a nice little Aspen wagon.he liked to keep it simple and modest when it came to his mode of transportation for us .he is gone now but he left us fond memories of way back then. 😌
Magnificent Jamie, both car and upload. An epic trip, thankyou for taking us along. Be safe.
I have only 3 things to say. Awesome video! Awesome trip! And Awesome car!👍 myself the 68 has always been my favorite, but the 69 is too, so what did I do, I got one of each! Then unfortunately sold them both, thinking I could buy more back in the future, I even had a 70 too. By the time the charger bug hit me again the prices were so far out of my range I knew I'd never be able to have one again, at least I have the old photos and memories.......
I love the sound of that pickup truck!
YES!!!!! Been waiting for this one!!!
Been waiting on this. Gonna be good!
Wow! What and adventure! Thanks for taking us along with you. Looking forward to seeing what's next with this Charger!
Hi Jamie, I thought I'd give you my thoughts on the Chargers. First, I've always wanted a '68 Charger I think they're the most beautiful model year. I admit the '69 you drove cross country is a beautiful example and the fact that its a rust free example is tempting. As far as engine I'd go with a 360 built with plenty of power and it'll drop in place no sweat. When I got out of the Army I looked long and hard for a '68 but never connected with one I would buy. People beat the he'll out of muscle cars back in the sixties. I found a '69 Plymouth GTX Hemi that had been abused but I could see the possibilities there so I bought it. Dual quad 426. It was a rust free dent free example too. It had the usual scrapes and dings one would expect. Although I loved that car, I wished it was a '68 Hemi Charger. Whatever you decide to do ill be watching. Good luck on your choice!!!
One thing I’d like to add it wasn’t just the 60’s muscle cars getting abused. Every muscle car up to the new ones get abused
Not all - that’s why we look for cars that belonged to responsible people and ideally were never sold, or taken apart. The more original, the better. I think the real point here is that these things were just cars, not the amazing collectibles we have come to revere them as today. I’m sure the same has been true for many, many types of car over the years. But I will say, some muscle car owners knew they had something special, and made at least some effort to preserve their pride and joy.
I almost have no words, but I do. What an adventure, when I was younger than you, I had similar ones, but that was the late 70's and cars like that were cheap and disposable- not anymore. At least it was a non-numbers matching 318. Personally, I throw in a disguised 360 and (almost)nobody will be the wiser. Looking forward to finding out what puked inside the engine. Cool video Jamie...an adventure that you will never forget.
Right there with you. A trip like that used to be just another day. Now it’s the kind of craziness that thousands dream of… I’m a lucky guy. Very much looking forward to finding out. I am thinking head gasket, but we’ll see. I certainly won’t ever forget this. Thanks, Ralph!
Epic trip!
Hi Dead Dodge Garage, I just found your YT channel. What an amazing video this is !!! I loved it. America is a beautiful country. Nice you sharing it in this video. I am looking forward to your other video's. Still got a lot to view. Thank You so much !!! Greatings from the Netherlands !!!
I don't blame ya a bit for jumping at an opportunity to take this journey. Way cool!
And I’d do it again in an instant!
That color is out of this world 😍😍 man I bet that was such a fun journey, I miss that type of stuff!!
It was amazing. It was also pretty intense and very tiring. Can’t wait to do it again. But glad to be home. I love the color. Everybody I met on the road agreed. Haha.
Beautiful car and really cool journey too! Thanks for taking us along. For what it's worth...I would overhaul the 318 and keep it with 2 ideas in mind. To maximize the performance while adhering to the constraints of regular pump gas and maximizing fuel economy; say 300hp/20mpg. Think of how great that would be on a road trip and I truly believe it's attainable. Keep up the great videos
Absolutely. I completely agree!
My 1.9 tdi makes 300 torque,
And gets 55mpg😊
Yes it is very nice!
I have a car that does 50 to the gallon,i prefer to drive my big block charger,its about smiles per gallon not miles per gallon,if you have never driven one you will never know😍😍@@fastinradfordable
@@fastinradfordable that little guy...I wouldn't worry about that little guy 😅🤣
Now THAT'S a road trip! Whatever did that little 318 do to deserve that treatment lol. Great video mate!
Seriously. Haha. Turnabout is fair play. Thanks!
68 has always been my favorite so I can't help you with that decision. But if that 69 were mine I think I'd have to eventually drop a 440 in it. Other than that the only other thing it needs is wider tires in the rear.
Hell yeah! Epic
Why do we need so much corn? FOR CORN DAWGS !!!!
Why didn’t I think of the obvious joke there?! I have made some serious mistakes here
@@DeadDodgeGarageany day is a good day when you can get a charger......
I was working to get my car.......59 new Yorker....
Kinda of a C body guy
Close to getting it.....
that was until.....I ALMOST TURNED INTO A CONVICT....
a Nepo managers daughter wanted to fight me.....!!!;
SOOOO....there was that
That was definitely an epic adventure and thank you for bringing us along. First opinion question I would do 360 with a little bit of a spicy nature and I don't know I'm pretty partial to the 68 as far as second opinion.
This was an awesome roadtrip. I really liked the Montana portion.
Took part that same trip a very long time ago in opposite direction. Looks pretty much the same :-) Great video!
What a great trip! Sell the ‘68. Yesterday. A built 360 can stick you in the seat on demand, too. This car is gorgeous and you had the adventure of a lifetime in it.
Oh I’m well familiar… I have a built 360 in my Demon. And another one going together on the stand as we speak.
Fun video. Thanks for taking us along for the ride. Reminded me of a few years ago when I bought a '68 New Yorker in a small town in Indiana and decided to try and drive it home to the western St. Louis, MO suburbs. With my then-17 year old driving my good car, and my younger son riding shotgun with me in the New Yorker, we began driving west. Pulled into a Pilot truck stop about half way home to top off the tank (bad fuel gauge sending unit) and the danged thing refused to turn over. It had been so long since I'd owned a MOPAR that it never occurred to me to bypass the ammeter which, as it turned out, was the gremlin that kept the engine from starting. So, platinum AAA to the rescue. We made it back around 2:30 a.m. The wife was not amused. The New Yorker entered the garage around 4:30 a.m. or so. The wife was not impressed. On a later date, one of the boys told me that he asked his mother what she thought of the "new" car. He then asked me, "What's 'livid' mean?" Haha!
I love this video, loved the journey. It tugs at my heart strings as the 69 is my favorite car of all time. I had two of them in my twenties but didn't have they money to fix them up like I wanted. Eventually had to sell them when I had kids. I long for that car and would do about anything to get another one. The yearning is strong and seeing this one and the 68 just makes it so much worse. All the best to you, Brotha. Love from Northern California!
Great road trip, thoroughly enjoyed it!
This is one of the greatest things you did!!!! On the channel
Cross country in an old classic is an awesome experience. Back in 2004 I purchased a 65 Impala SS on ebay while I was Iraq. Had the car shipped from Scottsdale AZ to my home in Los Angeles. When I got home I had the powerglide replaced for a th350 trans for the extra gear for cruising. Drove it Fort Campbell KY where I was stationed. Somewhere around Nashville TN developed a crack on one of the manifolds...sounded pretty cool actually...lol. Had some shorty headers at home ready for install. Drove it back to Los Angeles later on and back to Fort Campbell. That second time around lost 2nd gear in Memphis TN...luckily it was a cheap fix. Another time drove a 70 Impala from Fort Campbell to Los Angeles and back. On the trip out there had a front bearing go out and ruin a spindle somewhere in AZ...had some local American natives help me out...offered me some peyote...lol, didn't partake. All this before smartphones were a thing, AM radio only....lol....definitely good times.
Awesome road trip! Another great
Video!
Time for a 360. Thanks for taking us along for the ride.
1st, cant wait to see the 318 teardown, dying to see what happened. As for an engine, 360 magnum long block, slight cam and make it look somewhat like the 318. That car is gorgeous!
Me too… that will be interesting. I am very much expecting a fire ring blown straight up into crankcase. I don’t know what causes it, but I’ve seen it before. The only tricky part with Magnum would be getting (or drilling) heads that accept the LA intake pattern, so I can use a factory 4 barrel intake and mount the AC. Not undoable, but an extra annoying step.
dude love these kinds of videos....lifes an adventure....
360 makes the most sense, go for it.
Very enjoyable and entertaining, Jamie. Nice looking Charger, I love the Cragars. Just like the ones I had, deep dish on the back, on my '68 Charger many years ago. Oh... Stick another 383 in 'er with a 4bbl. Take care, bud.
Thanks, I forgot how good the world looks when your behind the wheel of a 69 Charger
It looks so much better!
What a great video! Like to see the 360 happen.
Big Thumbs up on this road trip, especially Montana
This car is incredible. 318 is a little small, but seems to have good power. Fixing it might get weird if any damage goes with the oil leak, but you already have it so it is already cheaper to fix in a sense.
Love your content, keep it up !
Wowser! I have been surviving on old DDG videos, so I was ready for a long one! I truly enjoyed this masterpiece! Funny thing... The Charger lasted 1800 miles, and I lasted 18 minutes before falling asleep. Not from boredom. Just totally tuckered out. Road trips are great! Memories of three road trips of mine were exposed, so now I must talk about me again! Your fault Jamie. Picture it... 1996. I was daily driving a 1970 Dart Swinger. 318/904. I did a weekend nickel rebuild, including 360 heads, 4 barrel carb, dual exhaust and a mild cam. After I broke-in the new cam, I promptly hit the road from Tampa Florida to the Mopar Nationals in Columbus Ohio. From there I drove to Niagara Falls, NY and then back to Tampa. Nothing broke! Just some exciting brake fade coming down a mountain. If I haven't told you already, I am the greatest! In 1981, I had a 1966 Hemi Satellite minus the Hemi. I built my first engine for it. A 440+6, a 4 speed, and 4.30 gears. Drove it to Indianapolis, Indiana for the Street Machine Nationals. I was doing some street racing the first night and broke an axle at 3:00am. The scene was insane! Five buses of riot cops and dogs showed up! I had to abandon the Satellite, and swim across a creek to escape being arrested! I swam back across, snuck behind a K-mart, and hopped in my car and made it to the camp ground to retrieve my tent, and corndogs. The broken axle was spinning like crazing, but I got on the highway, and crossed my greasy fingers. Top speed was 45 mph, but I made it back home. As I was literally on my knees kissing ground, The rear wheel fell off the axle! All five wheel studs got so hot from the axle friction, that they just snapped off! OMG! I just got off the highway! Last Year I bought a 2017 Hemi Ram 1500 and a 20 foot enclosed trailer to tow my 1973 Pro touring Charger (400+6, 5 speed) to the Musclecars at the Strip. I overloaded the trailer by far, and it made for a very scary ride with the Ram's spongy suspension. When I got to Flagstaff Arizona, a huge snow storm was too much for my 2 wheel drive Ram, and I had to leave the trailer behind, stuck in 3 feet of snow. I drove on to the show, depressed that I couldn't drive my Charger on the autocross. The show was awesome! I picked up the trailer 2 weeks later, and had to out-run a tornado in Oklahoma! Believe me! It's difficult to drive fast with all your fingers and toes crossed! Well, you just suffered through the short versions. A lot of wild-n-crazy things happened on those trips! I nearly choked to death in Tucson Arizona, and drove to Las Vegas with a bad case of pneumonia! Ah! Ha! A long TH-cam video deserves a long comment! A great long video Jamie! Thanks! Your biggest fan, Bad Ash
Wow… you have been some places and seen some stuff. A whole lot more than I have… but I’m working on catching up. Haha. That’s ok, Steve, I literally fell asleep twice while trying to edit this video… I cut out almost a half hour of driving video and extra commentary. I pity anyone who has to listen to me *that* much…
That's hilarious Jamie! I am a blabber mouth, but I know it! I always tell people to just hang up the phone, or walk away when they've had enough. It won't hurt my feelings.@@DeadDodgeGarage
Hi Jamie I've enjoyed this video immemsely!!! Ill stick to the end! Ill enjoy seeing more videos on this gorgeous Charger!!!
Thank you! They’re coming up in the near future!
Very nice love the new paint color 👍👍👍👍👍😁
Great road trip video, and thanks for showing all the issues that are inevitable. I would fix/replace the 318 and sell the '69 to get the funds to fix the '68. Best year of the Charger.
Very nice sharing keep safe always thank you ✌💘🧡🧡
Super dope video... new subscriber and glad I ran across your channel... awesome cross country video.. I'm absolutely in love with the 69.. very clean.. I personally would like to see the 383 stuffed in there as a purist but would not be opposed to seeing you shoehorn a hellcat motor in there either lololololol.. keep up the good work
Good evening 🌅 🍺 Jamie
Sorry I'm late .
This was a longer than usual vlog from you , so I wanted adequate time too enjoy it
Great find 🏁🙏🏆‼️
Glad you made it back home to your family .
I think 🤔 you're right
A 360 dressed as , the original 318
Would be perfect
Especially for a daily driver
Damn that pizza looked good
The Charger is amazing, worth the trip !
Love Rooster’s Roadrunner as well
I drove an old chevy truck for 24 years and it would eat fuel pumps as well, was always in the driveway etc that it would so never left me stranded
Love the 318, nice cruiser and the duel exhaust he put on it 😎👍
Hello DDG! I'm new to your channel but I have been binge watching a lot of your videos. I'm not a Mopar guy such as yourself, but I appreciate how educational your videos are. They are to the point, and full of very useful information. I really enjoyed this video. A lot of this knowledge I can apply to my 1970 Buick GS 455 and my future projects. I've still got a lot to learn as I am relatively new to the old car hobby. I'm only 20 years old and trying my best :). Thanks for doing what you do!
Awesome! I am secretly a big Buick fan. I had a ‘67 Electra 225 with a 430 which I really loved. A lot of what I talk about here will absolutely apply to what you’ve got going on. Thanks for watching!
WOW you buy a great charger and get to drive across the country and we get to watch Thank you Thank you 😊😊😊😊
Hard to beat!
What cool road trip rebuild the 318 keep it original beautiful charger dont see many of these here in nz
Awesome video!
A Mopar starter making horiffic noises? To hell you say, that never happens. Jamie you have one of the best channels on YT.
😅 thank you!
What an epic adventure - and as an old(er) goat myself who's had a few of those, I can go ahead and state
the obvious here - this was something that will stay with you for the rest of your days.
Just think - you can bore children, grandchildren and fellow attendees at future car events with the story!
Yes, of course you need to buy the car - and do the 360 swap - because you've bonded with it now.
No denying it - just get on with it - and thank you for sharing the ride with us.
- Ed on the Ridge
Oh I can’t wait for that. Haha. The problem is that I can’t afford both… and I think I would very much miss my original, numbers matching ‘68 383 car… thanks Ed!
Spiced up 360" ...... great episode !
this is how my Road trips go with all new rock auto china parts then i bring alot the old oe parts i changed and make it home lol
Dude, that was epic! I love the long form video. Great job. That ending cracked me up. Having had the opportunity to drive across the country multiple times in my life, you notice many things: 1. this country is big. 2. You will stare at the ass end of a long haul truck of some kind at all times. 3. There is lots of food. All kinds of food. Food everywhere. And cheesy highway shops galore. 4. There is such a thing as Midwest nice. I love the Midwest and it's folks. There's so many more. I would of skipped Rushmore though cause the Badlands and the Crazy Horse monument are way better. Or even Wall Drug lol. But glad you came out the other end safe. And yeah, I'd take that car too. You should. Cheers Jamie.
Would have done Badlands but it was dark when I went through there. Bummer. Would have liked to have done Crazy Horse too. Next time. There was way too much to see out there. Haha.
Definitely a keeper!
Great memories, right there! Vote: Stroker 360, go Big 400+ small block. She deserves it! Keep your project car, but fine tune this gem first👍🏼
Awesome video🇺🇸
Gorgeous charger. I used to drive that exact route commuting between KC and Seattle for a couple years...many familiar sights on your trip. Once did it in a 75 Grand Ville convertible...seized a wheel bearing in the mountains, at night, in a light snow. Also went to nearest town on a rollback. Adventures in old car travel. Also, 383 is always the answer, but I could be persuaded with a sweet 318 cruiser... You don't always need a 4 barrel
Wow! What a commute that must have been… what a haul. That’s awesome. I absolutely *love* the 383 in my ‘68. They are the greatest. The 318 could definitely be massaged to make some extra power without too much trouble. I’m a big fan of the small block too.
This is the best video with Charger 1969 from the reason it got a lot of views of this beauty. You should edit this video and make the new one just with sequnces of Chargers exterior and interior. You would gain 1 mil. views for sure... 😊 68-70 Charger is my dream car. 😍🥰 Thanx for video! 😊
Great video.
Gorgeous color!
If you're going to keep it a cruiser I'd build a 360 with the Edelbrock performer top end kit. Great car and video! I'm looking forward to future videos as well!
Great video, Jamie, and a beautiful car! Sorry the 318 bought the farm, but a 360 would be a perfect replacement and the average guy would never know.
Exactly! It may just be a head gasket blown into crankcase. We will find out soon…
The further and FASTEST you can get away from Chicago the BETTER!! Also, I think it would have been better to replace the accelerator pump before you attempt a long trip! But Iove your sense of adventure 😊.
Yeahhh everybody said that - especially the seller of the car who lives there… Accelerator pumps are extra… kind of. Haha.
Man, that was crazy! Thanks for sharing. What an adventure. I'm not that brave. I would've used a trailer. I'd love to have a 68 Charger some day. Or a 70. Time will tell. Oh and if it were me, I'd probably drop a 383 or 440 in that 69 and retrofit with a Vintage Air setup. Just saying.
You are a very resourceful young man. Trust me thats a really cool car to own, drop a 440 new high torque trans have a blast with it and never look back. You only live once!
Excellent effort. Not just the video, but the fun drive home. I did a similar drive in 2018 for a '66 Belair 283 4-door. Owner was honest and provided 4 containers of oil and a gallon of power steering fluid which I consumed from New Brunswick, back to Ottawa Ontario. Great drive just before winter through Maine. We build our car for crusing with a 2006 LS2 pushing 500hp. 4l60 and AC. For your engine, would do a mild 383 looking stock. 400hp is still 400hp.
Awesome! Sounds like a party to me.
Hellva trip, thanks
Hi Jamie - nice video - my favorite was 1969 your favorite is 1968. Being a lot older than you I recommend choosing the car you and your family will enjoy most. All cars eventually rust. Family first. Thanks Mike
Thanks Mike. I made the decision to keep my ‘68 already. My wife said “will you regret selling your dream car?” And she’s absolutely right. I will. But man, I had to think about it for a minute… I love the ‘69 too.
Nope! @37:05; But I noticed the crooked steering wheel early on and had been wondering what was up with that. It almost appeared as if it was placed upside down.
It is inspiring seeing you make this trip in that beautiful Charger... I do believe you are correct when you say you think you were born to be a MOPAR gearhead. Not that my humble opinion matters so much, but there are many subbers here that likely would agree.
Just like a thousand or more of your fans I'm on a strict fixed income and having YT DDG as entertainment is a blessing. Thanks for having us come along each week.
Thanks for watching! I’m happy to help as much as I can there.
Great video, cool car. My vote is for a late '80s factory roller cam 360 LA, dressed up like an original '69 318.
Great vid
Please keep the 318, embrace it, help it breathe she'll be an awesome cruizer.
Buy them both!!! lol I would like to see you do a nice running 383 but 360 mag is probably the way to go.
I owned a 1968 Charger (383,4-speed,373 posi) in 1977...This reminds me the old days! :) the ill fitting doors and the hard starting were features of just about any dodge car.;)
When I bought my 69 dodge charger back in 1998 I picked it up in missoula as well. Very beautiful scenery
Keep the 69 with a fuel injected pre-magnum 360. I've always preffered the 69 to the 68. My first car was a 69 charger with a 318. Looked just like yours except brown with a white top and white interior. It even had the Cragar SS. I gave that car hell and it never complained. Man, I miss it.😥
360 pretending to be a 318 is a great idea. I like 68s better than 69s (except for tailights), but this purple 69 is a sweetheart - I'd keep her. Great video!
I agree 360 all the way great video by the way
AWESOME vid....360 all the way....MOPAR 4 EVER.
Loved the intro. Sound track is phenomenal.
Thank you! I’m really proud of that recording - and I knew it would be perfect for my crazy vision here. I think it worked out.
EPIC cheers. As an ozzie who luvs bud im not allowed to see ur awesome country but i couldn't look away. Thank Rooster, Evan, Criss , and ocourse you and the Charger for takin us across the USA. And plz say u haven't sold the 383 .
Na…the 383 car stays. It was a quickly passing thought. Thanks!
LMAO on the McDonald's joke! You where on the right side of the Mississippi, then left it .. all the corn is for all of us who drive our old mopars that get less than 14 mpg!!! Awesome vidoe jamie
I was waiting for someone to take issue with that statement. Haha. Thank you!
Who is that amazingly handsome silver haired man with all those boats? 😂
Some red neck weirdo I found in Minnesota 😅
@DeadDodgeGarage who you callin weirdo, weirdo.... this production is about to hit my big screen and the popcorn is ready.
oops!! forgot to say thanks for the ride along it was great!!!!!
I love the stealth 360 idea!
Quite an adventure, made me subscribe.
Thanks! Video on the super fun engine problem, coming this weekend.
I'd build an up to date 318, great motor. I also have a "super cruiser", a 66 Imperial with (of course) a 440. Drive it anywhere, put over 2000 miles on it this summer. It was originally a Chrysler Canada corporate car, original motor & paint, original leather interior like new & 102000 miles on it. Happy cruising!
Enjoyed the video
I can't wait to see what happened to the 318. Gotta be a head gasket
I’m almost 100% sure that’s all it is. There was zero mechanical noise or other indicator anything bad happened.
318 or 360 for sure. Would not give up 68 for that69. 69 is gorgeous but doesn't hold a candle to yours. Thanks for the road trip.
That’s the conclusion I came to. Thanks!
Fix her up and sender on her merry way. Keep what you have and make it yours; p.s. 1969 is a special car, but the 1968 is awesome!
Not gonna lie, I’m jealous…I got a 67 Fury but I would love to have that one in my garage as well, even if it’s a 318 that body is gorgeous
I had a 71SE with the 440, and I drove with a broken motor mount for awhile until I slapped that thing off the line, that B body flex of course popped that mount good. I miss that car, hopefully I find another one day.