should I patch or replace the sheet metal - 72 Roadrunner

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

Will need to strip back some more paint to reveal to extent of rust through, from what I see, a full quarter replacement would not be necessary. Pretty easy and common to fabricate patches for those pictured areas, AMD offers stamped lower patches for those areas now, as mentioned. As for the detail line, any skilled body guy should be able straighten it out.
As for the door dent, it appears the door will need some lower patch work as well. Again, a skilled body guy could straighten it out, fix the rust but likely would involve quite a bit of time and expense. More than the cost of a better door shell if you can find one.

 

[YY1]

Fix it.

These cars have "wide hips", and not so great visibility.
It's easy to back into (or pull into) a fence or a post, etc.

Those spots don't really look all that bad.

Lots of us have seen LOTS worse.

 

[rrTor-Red]

Will need to strip back some more paint to reveal to extent of rust through, from what I see, a full quarter replacement would not be necessary. Pretty easy and common to fabricate patches for those pictured areas, AMD offers stamped lower patches for those areas now, as mentioned. As for the detail line, any skilled body guy should be able straighten it out.
As for the door dent, it appears the door will need some lower patch work as well. Again, a skilled body guy could straighten it out, fix the rust but likely would involve quite a bit of time and expense. More than the cost of a better door shell if you can find one.

Fix it.

These cars have "wide hips", and not so great visibility.
It's easy to back into (or pull into) a fence or a post, etc.

Those spots don't really look all that bad.

Lots of us have seen LOTS worse.

I agree and was thinking the same. Doors are hard to come by and almost sure not repopped too. You can possibly use a spot welder and pull the dent out of the door.

YY1-Nothing wrong with "wide hips". Just saying...lol

 

[72Fourspeed]

Fix it.

These cars have "wide hips", and not so great visibility.

Guess that makes my 72 RR the Kim Kardashian Edition with the damn flared rear wheelwells. P.O. sometime back was an idiot.

 

[the mississippi madman]

I agree and was thinking the same. Doors are hard to come by and almost sure not repopped too. You can possibly use a spot welder and pull the dent out of the door.

YY1-Nothing wrong with "wide hips". Just saying...lol

AMD makes doors and door skins but they're about 700 dollars for the door

 

[Robliepse]

one thing I've learned rebuilding my 72 is collect your thoughts and various estimates, add up what all the various parts are going to cost and take those n umbers and multiply by 4X. You will soon find out that the bumper or that one piece of trim doesnt look good on that brand new paint job. You will drop $500 on new body and door gaskets. Then that old wiring harness doesnt look good in the newly painted engine compartment............the market lights could be better......................

Its a very slippery slope

 

[rrTor-Red]

AMD makes doors and door skins but they're about 700 dollars for the door

I stand corrected. I was looking for the doors a year or so ago. When I called AMD they said they didn't have a great need for them to be repopped. When I found some used ones, they wanted some ridiculous price and was in sad shape. It was way cheaper to use and fix the minor things with my own doors

 

[flypaper]

AMD makes doors and door skins but they're about 700 dollars for the door

they do not make either one for a 71-2 plymouth b body

 

[moparmarks]

No AMD doors for 71-2 B's.
Has that always been a Texas car? Sure looks like Western rust where dirt has sat down in the corners causing rust. I'd strip the paint off and see how bad the rust is and then go form there. Probably end up doing some patches. Keep as much of the original metal as possible. Some of the guys on here are use to rust belt cars that need a lot of metal work. Cars from out this way are a whole different animal.

 

[dvw]

Nothing the matter with patching. You have to get the paint off and look. I've seen plenty of patches that might have been a little rough but when filled looked like a million bucks and lasted forever. The key is to seal the inside. I like Por 15 applied using a cheap weed sprayer. Though it away when your done. On the other hand we've all seen cars with aftermarket 1/4's that fit poorly, were never blocked and are as wavy as the day they were installed. Giant 1" lips on the wheel houses, they look terrible. Either repair will work. depends on whats there to start with. When I did my 64 not only were 1/4's not available but the patch panels I looked at weren't that nice. Wanted to stretch the 1/4's 4" so I made my own. Don't be afraid.
Doug

 

[plymouthman72]

Mopar marks - It has definitely always been a Texas car! It was bought new in Marshall Texas in the spring of 72. I actually have 2 pictures of the first day he got the car. One is with the original rallye rims and the other is with the slots he got from the dealer. I am the 4th owner but second family. First guy gave it to his son then my brother got it, then I bought it from him. Eventually when I start my resto thread I am going to scan those 2 pictures in. I even have all the service records through 86 when he had the transmission built. Not that it makes it more valuable but I think it is cool to have the history. Since it was my brothers first car, it has great sentimental value to me. I removed the filler in that area and it could be much worse! Thankfully no rust! The rust I have is from the poor drainage areas but most of its extremely solid.



DVW - That is one heck of a job! That looks amazing!