Sheetmetal replacement estimates

[06Daytona]

I'm wondering what price range I'm looking at to get my quarters, tail, sail, front floor, trunk floor and trunk extensions installed? I know it depends where you are and stuff, but I don't want to get ripped off when I get it all done. I talked to a guy this morning and he said 4000 bucks which seemed a little high to me, but I've never had this much work done on a car before. I haven't spoken to the guy who works almost exclusively on Mopar stuff yet, but I will be this weekend.

[Cuda Cody]

Whoever you have do the work, look at a few other cars that he's done already.  Also, get referrers AND CHECK THEM!  Talk to previous customers.  Good installers will provide you with a long list of happy customers.  When it comes to metal work and paint with all you have to get done, I would guess $10,000 to $20,000 depending on the quality of work and quality of paint.

I can not say it enough, CHECK UP ON WHOEVER YOU USE.  Having certain seals in place and knowing how to do it right can save you headaches down the line.   You can call me if you want more details.

[73Chally]

$4K for that much metal work does not sound too bad.  What are your local shop rates?  Does this include putting down a coat of primer after all the work has been done?  Like CODY said, do a lot of research and checking before making a decision.  That's a lot of work, and a lot of parts need to be lined up correctly.

[Challenger6pak]

With all of that needing replacement, I am surprised that the panel between the trunk and rear window is not on that list. 

[06Daytona]

Alot of it doesn't need to be replaced, I'm just having it done now because I have the panels and I'd rather do the trunk floor and extensions while the quarters are off. I've talked to a couple of guys down here that have had stuff redone, one of them had everything replaced but the firewall and they both agree that the guy I'm going to be talking to this weekend is the best. He redid a 70 Roadrunner that had a tree growing through it.

[Challenger6pak]

It's a big job to do.  Do you have a restoration thread?

[06Daytona]

I have one, but I'm still driving the car until the majority of the stuff is here. So far it only has pics of the boxes of panels.

I've done a floor before, so it doesn't scare me at all, but how difficult is it to do the rest? I'd really like to do it on my own so I can learn but I don't want to bite off more than I can chew. I've done quite a bit of welding/grinding before and I have a wirefeed that I can always upgrade to something better if need be.

[JonS]

$4K doesn't sound bad to me.  The Quarters themselves are a LOT of work to get right.  What all is included with the $4K price?  I'm assuming they are just removing the old panels and welding in the new. 

Jon

[06Daytona]

As far as I know the 4k includes quarters, floor, trunk floor, extensions, tail panel and deck filler and 4 speed hump. I have to talk to him again tomorrow to get a more accurate price. He was out shopping when I was talking to him. It doesn't include complete primer, but he will splash primer over bare metal.

On the off chance I decide to do it myself I may have to offer free room and board in Puerto Rico to someone with experience working on quarters etc

[mopardave]

4k seems cheap to me.  at 40 an hour ( low ) IMO thats 100 hours to do a lot of work. you can have 20 hours into a quarter job before you know it,

IS the car media blasted yet? lot of unknowns.

[jimynick]

Rough average flat rate times on the 1/4's would run 16hrs each, lwr trunk pnl-7hrs, trunk floor- 12-14, trunk extensions- 3-4 ea., trans hump- 4-5hrs and add an approx. 20% markup for rust work brings you into approx 70+hrs and the door rate here is approx. $60hr. That doesn't include any prep or seam-sealing which could run another 6-8 hrs. Starting to see the big picture? IF he'll do it for $4000 and put it in writing ( a VERY important part) and IF he's got the ability and rep- consider it a deal. I didn't mention the bonding kits, welding supplies, screws, nuts, sealants, primers or outer wheelhouses you'll also need, etc. I used to do this for a living and am doing my own right now and sure wouldn't consider doing someone else's for any less. Good luck!