69 RoadRunner in NE Pa.

[Ken56]

Hi everyone, I wanted a RR since I was 17. Last winter at 55 I saw one for sale and drove it home. It's a fixer upper but I have so much fun driving it that I don't want to take it off the road to fix it. Biggest issue is the rear frame rails. Previuos owner gave me L and R rails that he bought on ebay. I still need the rear crossmember. Engine is a 383 with numbers matching the fender tag and dash. I'm sure I'll be asking alot of tech questions in the future. Thanks in advanced, Ken

 

[Budnicks]

Cool 69 RR welcome to FBBO

 

[70Fish]

Cool car and welcome! With the frame rail issues in the back, is the car structurally sound to drive? I'd be worried about, and getting out of whack in the back if it's toast.

 

[Ken56]

I should be more worried than I am. The last 20 inches in the rear are weak but not shot. The rear x member is bad. I'm considering capping them but would like to talk to someone who has done this to their ride and see what they think.

 

[Pistol Pete]

It depends on where exactly they are "weak". If it's after (towards the bumper) the leaf spring shackle, then no worries, at least not much anyway. Now, if it's rotted between the shackle mount and the rear itself, which they usually are, you're taking a risk. One good bump and the frame rail, or what's left of it, could kick up, buckle the trunk floor and wrinkle the quarter. Likely ? Probably not, but why chance it when you know you have to replace the frame rail anyway.


Oh, sorry, welcome aboard !

 

[Ron 73]

Welcome aboard Ken.. Looks nice, id suggest being careful so as not to mess it up where it will take more work to repair it, like said your replacing it anyway might be a good idea to do it now and get it out of the way. Just agreeing and suggesting, looks to be a fine car and keeper to boot! Theres been a few who have replaced these in the same car and if you look around the members projects and restoration threads you can get an idea or two what you'll be doing. Good luck.

 

[alleyoopmgv]

Cool looking Roadrunner, Welcome to the site!

 

[HawkRod]

Welcome to the site!

I am in Lansdale, PA, so I am relatively close. (I assume you a pretty close to Scranton.)

I too have always liked Roadrunners, and my first car was a 73 Roadrunner. I recently gave it to my son and then I stumbled upon my all time favorite Roadrunner which is a 1970 Air Grabber. Although mine has no structural rust, it is unrestored and looks WAY rougher than yours. After sleeping for 17 years, I woke it back up and blasted it up and down the street. I had a BLAST and I can see why you are having too much fun just driving yours! :icon_mrgreen:

Best of luck with your car!

Hawk

 

[Invisabledog]

Welcome aboard from near Williamsport, PA.

 

[Ken56]

Thanks everyone for the friendly welcome and the advice. Winter will be coming fast now and the car don't leave the garage in bad weather. I think it's time to start doing my homework on replacing the frame rails. It will probably need a trunk floor to have good metal to weld it to. I'm not sure if I'm going to tackle this job myself or send it out. I hate leaving my car anywhere.

 

[detmatt1]

Welcome to the site from the Motor City!

 

[shag766]

welcome from the great white north

 

[Propwash]

Welcome Ken....Ask away with the questions. Tons of great folks here with a lot of answers.