Wasn't expecting this... frame repair

[NorthOfForty]

1967 Dodge Coronet R/T 440 HP
Fully documented. Bill of sale, broadcast sheet, certicard, letter from original owner verifying engine, trans and drive train are original.

I have started preparation to send the car to the body shop. While test fitting the front fenders, I realised the right front frame is out of whack a very slight bit. But enough to be a problem. The body shop said they are not interested in working on the frame of 1967 car. I was somewhat taken aback. Until I contacted eleven body shops and not one will even look at my car. I also contacted two frame specialists.

Now, I sit in stunned silence. I never thought in a million years this would be an issue. Has anyone else run into this problem? Any suggestions?

I know a lot of fellow Canadians follow this Forum. Are there any good old boys from Sask with a suggestion where I can take my car?

Thanks, everyone.

A

 

[Sam69sat]

Curious if it's out of wack due to a collision, rust issues, etc?

 

[WileE]

Don't know about your neck of the woods, but most body shops are only interested in doing insurance/collision work where they can shuffle out their shoddy half-*** work in as little time as possible. Frame ? Your car is a unibody, and you don't need to be a rocket-scientist or have the Latest-Greatest Superlaser Bench/measuring system. Guess what ? A dozer and a ruler works just fine. Did over a half-century ago, and it still does today. Hopefully someone there can guide you to a qualified establishment that knows what they're doing.

 

[R413]

Look for restoration shops that specialize in old car resto.

Many shops like to do insurance work on late model cars. And they make huge piles of money doing it.

I agree never thought it would be hard to get frame repair done. I had a friend with a frame rack at home, but he got to the age he was done doing it and sold the machine.

 

[eldubb440]

post up some pics.........we will talk you down, I think

 

[ruffcut]

Look up Red Green. He's up your way somewhere. I'll bet he knows a thing of two about straightening that frame rail.
On the serious side, hope you can find a shop to help. And as others have said, some pics and more details will be helpful.
Please excuse my poor attempt at humor.

 

[NorthOfForty]

Hell, no, Red Green ain't touching my car! Lol.



The damage was done long before I bought the car. I was told in a deer collision. Although, I've always wondered if a deer could bend the uni-body. Zero rust in uni-body, k member etc.


I do have a complete set of shop manuals that have all the specs for the uni-body.



Unfortunately, the car is 1200 miles away from me ATM. My friend is trying to get the uni-body addressed and get it to the body shop. I'll see if I can get photos.



I agree body shops now a days want to do the gravy insurance jobs.



I had both right side passenger floor pans, trunk pan and extensions and rear lower quarter panels replaced seven years ago. Back then I had a hard time finding someone to do the work.



The annoying part is I still have the email from seven years ago where I asked the body shop to check the front end. Obviously, they did not.



Onward, and upward.

 

[RemCharger]

1200mi? In BC?
So are you looking for a frame pull. Or more in depth body and paint work..
We have J+L frame in saskatoon , but they aren't body guys

 

[NorthOfForty]

Happy Thanksgiving. I am in B C. The car is is Weyburn. We have a body shop lined up, but they don't do frame work. I'll get my friend to contact your shop next week. I hope we can work something out. I would be a great help.

 

[RJ Squirrel]

The front end of my Roadrunner was tweaked a little too, I straightened it this way. They actually bend pretty easy.

 

[ruffcut]

Thanks. The link:
Sending Unit 3/8" Mopar 1968 - 1970 B-Body
It says something about being designed to work with "the aftermarket tanks" and that it might need modified
to work with stock tanks? I dunno.... Made in Taiwan.

This unit is also available at Roseville.

The front end of my Roadrunner was tweaked a little too, I straightened it this way. They actually bend pretty easy.


View attachment 1931627

My exact thought also.