I need opinions before I order body parts please!

[jayfire]

I have attached a few pics of the rust spots on my GTX. I need opinions on whether to buy full quarters and trunk or just patches or skins. The drivers side has a small spot in front of rear tire, a 3-4" spot around the lower rear window area on both sides ( I will replace the rear deck lid panel) and the biggest spots are behind the rear tires. Definitely need drop offs as well. They make patch panels, I think, for these places, but... should I have the bodyshop replace full quarters or patch and keep as much original sheet metal as possible? Also, the trunk has some, but mostly concentrated in the middle on both sides, patch or full trunk? I have a bodyshop local that will do all the replacement and get car to primer in trade for my turbocharged sbc 383 stroker motor. I have $4k in the motor. Is that a good trade? I will order all my parts from AMD. Thanks

 

[kb67mopar]

With that much rust showing there is quite a bit you can't see. I'd go full quarters for sure. I have no idea what it would cost to do this work outright at a shop but i am guessing that 4k for the quantity of work that looks to be there is probably not going to be out of the realm....let the others chime in there.

 

[Dako]

Body guys would rather have a whole panel to work with, be it a quarter, a trunk, a trunk extension, etc. Once opened up, they can then decide on where to patch from, and to.

 

[texas69bee]

I tried the patch before. What a pain in the ***. It didn't fit right. Going with a full skin or finding a good fab shop.

 

[747mopar]

I like the whole panels much better because you get to see it all and there will likely end up being allot less filler in your car afterwards. Check the trunk gutter to quarter seam, this area is a problematic area that is easy to miss. Look closely at the spot welds and compare them to others, if they look deeper there is likely rust build up between the 2 pieces pushing them apart. If you suspect there is just pick what looks like a fat spot and drill a small hole into the seam, you'll see a bunch of rust come out if so at which point I'd buy the full quarters.

 

[Redhorse719]

I think 4K is a dynamite price for the work IF it is done correctly. Who is paying for materials? Discuss with them how the panels will be installed. Not just tacked on and filler spread over the seam. You also want everything agreed to in writing.

 

[BarrsRestoration]

I think 4K is a dynamite price for the work IF it is done correctly. Who is paying for materials? Discuss with them how the panels will be installed. Not just tacked on and filler spread over the seam. You also want everything agreed to in writing.

I agree, that's going to be a lot of work for a 4K engine. "In primer" does not mean "ready to paint"!! Beware of a deal under those terms.

And yes, you need both full quarters installed.

 

[69 GTX]

Check out my thread 69 GTX I just put on every piece you need. I'm glad I put full quarters on, though I was cussing from time to time. Very time consuming, but was my first time doing a big job like this. I believe I had about 2500$ in just sheet metal, AMD.

 

[jayfire]

Check out my thread 69 GTX I just put on every piece you need. I'm glad I put full quarters on, though I was cussing from time to time. Very time consuming, but was my first time doing a big job like this. I believe I had about 2500$ in just sheet metal, AMD.

Yes, all my panels are from AMD. Bought through Restoration Parts Source for cheaper than AMD direct. I went with full quarters.