1968 Chrysler Town & Country Questions

Hello friends, I just purchased the old girl, what a trophy car! It should have flags on the front fenders. I need your advice on a few things:
1) What vendors have you been happy with for wood trim?
2) What do you think of air shocks to bring the rear end up? or should I add another leaf spring?
3) What's the best way to lubricate the rear window track?

Thanks guys, Ed

 

Can't help yeah with the wood trim, Sorry 'bout that. Are you after a "Nose down rear up stance or are you planning on hauling more weight? If it for the stance adjust the torsion bars and re-align the front end. If it's for the extra weight go the air shocks route. As for the gate window channel, KEEP IT DRY. Pull the inner skin off the gate and clean and apply new white lithium grease to the regulator

 

EdR

That's a nice one.

1. There's several vendors, check the restoration links here.
2. I think air shocks are the most practical solution. It sure doesn't look like it's sagging to me. After all it is heavy and were low from the factory.
3. You've got to gain entry, clean all the old lube out and use white lithium with tends not to dry up.

Here's my opinion only. Aside from making everything functional I think it should be left as is unless you are going to do a full and complete restoration. Today, cars that have lasted that many years and still look good are appreciated by many more people than some would expect. In some cases they are valued higher than a full restoration. The flaws and pimples are life marks from those who owned it before. IMO the thinning paint are character marks. Especially keep those decals on the rear windows. You cannot get those any more. Clean and polish and enjoy. That's my .

 

Hi EdR. Woodgrain is a problem in my opinion. I have never seen one that exactly matches the original on any car. But, I am posting a link below that is a short discussion that we had awhile back. Be sure to read the link in BlueVista's post. Good luck and keep us up dated.
http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13216

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. As for the rear end, I just want the car to be level. I think bringing down the front end down with the torsion bars will do for now. Fun day planned for tomorrow (I hope): PS hoses, plugs and wires, belts, tailgate lube, valve cover gaskets, interior and exterior deep clean. If I have time I'll go get new tires put on it - Cooper Trendsetter whitewalls. My wife likes the decals as well, they are the real deal. Thanks, Ed

 

to the station wagon forum. You already got some great advice. Just wanted to say welcome and say that's a great survivor wagon. Too bad someone apparently had signs on the doors. Otherwise the wood look is great. Maybe add your own signs over the defects!!!????

 

Nice wagon. That is quite a load you have planned for yourself tomorrow! Wow!

As far as the empty sign space I like Cat's ideal of more signs. If you have grandkids, "grandma and grandpa's classic taxi" or some fictitious garage or sandwich shop??? Custom magnetic signs are cheaper and easier than replacing the wood grain I suppose.

Don't worry about it; the quality of everything else overshadows it.

 

Great wagon! Looks like its got the 15" wheels and disc brakes. You know, some Hemi owners would pay big bucks just for those original date coded 15" steel rims.
Those 68 T&C wagons look great with chrome Magnum rims like the two 68's in the 9th post in this thread http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7077&highlight=chrysler+wagon+pics

 

Now that is a SURVIVOR wagon! I would just clean it, detail it and just drive it. I think the worn out wood grain adds to some of the value to it. I would actually prefer yours the way it is over a concours resto.

 

Welcome Ed . I agree with Vista's comments on leaving the wagon as it is. Tell us more about its equipment? 440 car? Is that roof rack factory?

 

'68 Chrysler Wagon

Thanks for the comments guys. It has 15' wheels and 235/75 tires. The speedometer is a little off, so it may have had 14" from the factory. I need to give my VIN to Galen.

Drum brakes all around. Front discs are on the long term list. It has the 383 2bbl. so plenty of room for upgrades.

It drives beautifully. There's a little miss at highway speeds which I'm hoping to cure with the plugs/wires.

The PO says that there were no signs on the doors, it just wore out that way. That was my first thought as well.

The rear seat belts were still rolled up underneath the back seat. I don't think they'd ever been used. The interior is immaculate, only one split at the seam on the passenger side seat. Power driver seat.

Just got back from mountain biking so I'd better get on the stick with my projects. Take care, Ed

 

'68 Chrysler Wagon

I forgot to mention that I scored a driver's manual, dealership literature, and 5/8 18' bolts for the oil pan (missing one - but no leak) at the Fall Carlisle last weekend. The rain and cold really put a damper on the festivities. I felt bad for the sellers and vendors. I also got nostalgic and got some old matchbox cars, a Dino gas sign, and an 1/18' '67 Belvedere (I miss my Satellite). Ed

 

Front discs

'76-'77-'78 C-Body will drop rite in 'tween the ball joints on your '68 Ed. Stay with the 15"s tho'. 14"s will not fit over the calipers! Ask me how I know this A few other oddz 'n endz you'll need to bring it together. P.M. me when you get serious about doing it, Jer

 

Here ya go Ed, a Satty to look at... :banana:


And as far as figuring out your VIN,
just post it here.. Easy to decipher...

 

Beautiful wagon there, Ed.

As fr the woodgrain, review all of the posts in our 'Woodgrain' subsection, if you haven't already.

One other suggestion. if you want to re-do it completely..
Check here:

http://www.woodgrain4wagons.com/

This guy is in Lakewood, California (suburb of LA, near Long Beach)
I've read a lot of testimonials on other forums. The guy is not cheap, but does excellent work. He does specialize in restoration of the wooggrain 'rails' surrounding Ford Country Squires. Yours has metal trim, not unlike Mercury Colony Parks. I'm sure he'd be willing to talk to you about your project. Since you're too far to cometo him, maybe he can suggest somebody closer.