calling all metal men!

[451Mopar]

I hope the '69 R/T Hardtop is not that bad once it is stripped, but it needs minimum of trunk floor and lower quarters with trunk extensions. More than likely end up with full rear quarters and outer wheel housings too?

 

[eldubb440]

just the *** end with solid rails........ 150 hours minimum for a skilled guy working efficiently

 

[Mike67]

You are going to need an omnibus type budget to save it. I'm doing the rear quarters in mine, did the complete floor pan which was pretty easy. I did not have to worry about the car flexing...I'm not sure yours hasn't already looking at the rockers, fitment will require hours upon hours .
I applaud your efforts if you continue forward, best of luck!

 

[chryslerfat]

If you are not experienced at metal work you sure will be after saving that.

 

[slimt]

As a hobby, yes. But to purchase the metal he needs from AMD, he could be paint ready in 6 months. Of course, it also depends on his welding skill level.

I guess it all would depend on the skill level and tools to make the task easier . At the shop with

just the *** end with solid rails........ 150 hours minimum for a skilled guy working efficiently

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Nice well lit shop..

 

[Rooster]

He showed a picture of a two piece trunk pan but yes the rear tail light panel needs to come out for the one piece to slide in.

It looks like it was blasted already and if there were gas in it I'm surprised the static charge didn't blow it up!

Rooster, that is going to be a lot of work. There are guys on here that started with less but saved them. I'm on the fence.....I saved my rusty GTX but yours has more issues. I had donor panels (entire roof and pilars, front dog house) and you do not.

If you charge ahead, go one step at a time. Don't jump around or it will get overwhelming. The rear looks nasty so you could start there and I don't see much there that can be patched besides the window corners. What I see is outer/inner wheel houses, dutchman, window corners, trunk pan, taillight panel, trunk lock bracket, gutter channels and framerails. Weld up a frame jig to hold the rear rails in place before cutting and replacing. From the new rails weld up a jig to hold the roof c pillar and quarters in place so you can remove and replace the wheel housings (rear roof support it welded to the inner housing). And so on, one step at a time.

How are the front frame rails?
You will need to melt out the lead rocker seams as I guarantee there is rust under there.
You are going to need spotweld cutters and a lot of mig wire

How much do you have invested so far?

Yes all I do realize it is going to be a lot of work. But the way I see it I have plenty of time to do it!
I have a parts car and the little AMD metal needed already, so I'm all set and ready to move forward..just not sure of the way to do it.

 

[Rooster]

If you are not experienced at metal work you sure will be after saving that.

Hah, that is what I'm hoping for...an education.

 

[Rooster]

I hope the '69 R/T Hardtop is not that bad once it is stripped, but it needs minimum of trunk floor and lower quarters with trunk extensions. More than likely end up with full rear quarters and outer wheel housings too?

Quarters are rock solid as well as the outer wheelhouses. Inner not so much

 

[dadsbee]

Step one.. build yourself a jig to lock it down on and take measurements from before you remove metal and when putting it back on to match.

 

[threewood]

Yes all I do realize it is going to be a lot of work. But the way I see it I have plenty of time to do it!
I have a parts car and the little AMD metal needed already, so I'm all set and ready to move forward..just not sure of the way to do it.

Parts car makes a big difference but adds twice the work because you will be cutting spot welds on on both of them. It's good to have stock metal. Jig it up and start on the rails, work from there.

 

[Darius]

DUDE...my car was pretty much exactly like yours after I blasted it. Here is a link to my build thread. Bottom line is there are exactly 5 pieces of ORIGINAL metal left on the car I started with. I simply did not know any better having NEVER built a car or even welded anything. It is a long thread but you can narrow it down to the area concerning the body replacement pages with pics and comments. Hope you have deep pockets, even if you can do the work yourself. I would build another car but I would never start from this point again! My best to you Brother.
https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/b-body-stiffening.1121/

 

[Richard Cranium]

Here's a guy having a tough time with the replacement of a couple exterior panels......

https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/quarter-panels.148968/

You have 10 times the work.