Sheet Metal Advise

[rrod]

Within a couple months I'll be starting the long needed restoration of my 70 challenger. Looks as if I will need to replace the rear cross member behind the rear bumper, both rear cross member corner pieces, Lt side trunk extension drop down, some clean up of the Lt rear frame rail and Lt side trunk patch or Lt half trunk replacement   Also Lt outer wheel well and lower half of Lt quarter. How would you experienced body guys tackle this?  Started out small but the restoration is growing. Found a lot of bondo in Lt rear quarter fwd and aft of wheel well. If half the trunk, rear cross member, drop down extension and lower half of quarter is cut off, will bracing of the back end be required. The Lt rear frame rail spot welds have pulled through the trunk floor.  Sorry for the long novel.

[Topcat]

Sounds like you first need to sand blast the entire body.
I would do it on a rotisserie if possible.

[anlauto]

I agree, strip and sandblast the whole car first. 99% of the replacement sheet metal needed is available in reproduction.

[1 Wild R/T]

I would advise doing a full trunk floor, you'll spend less time  & get a better finished result....

[glovemeister]

I would advise you to strip it down to bare metal to see what you are dealing with. Save as much metal as possible, through patch work and do a good job. Patch panels are helpful, but patch panels from 2015 don't equal metal from the 1970's, or a metal craftsman. On my car I've made the decision to save as much 1970's metal as possible, even it makes the job more difficult. Only you can make the final decision. Good luck and post pics.

[jimynick]

I started thinking that I'd patch the few, wee holes in my trunk floor- and then, for once, I listened to the voice of reason in my head. It said "don't be an idiot Ian, you're into it this deep, so change the trunk floor complete". I did, and after removing it, leaned it against the garage door. Imagine my surprise when, with the sun behind it, it turned into a pinhole map of the cosmos!! Not to mention that it's much easier with 1/2 the inner panels already out. Further, I'll be very surprised if, once you're well and truly into it, if you don't find more holes. As you said- the restoration is "growing". LOL Hell yes and welcome to the club. Remember- you're only going to want to do this once, so do it right. Just my     

[rrod]

I'm leaning your way jimynick. Only want to do this once and not second guessing myself later.

[Topcat]

Back halving a car takes some thinking and planning.

Plan ahead before cutting.

Take a look at what this member is doing...

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=98700.0

[manycj]

Here's a little bit of what you are in for.

http://www.relicrecyclery.com/PantherPink/page9/FM3_9.htm

I still need to update the website, to show the wheelhouse replacement and quarter repair.

[E-Body Products]

Take lots of measurements before cutting anything. There are pics on my website showing how I did my car.


E-Body Products
www.ebodyproducts.com
606-481-9014

[rrod]

When replacing the trunk floor, driver side quarter (full quarter), driver side outer wheel housing, and drop down extension, what bracing is needed if any?  Car will be on jack stands (rear stands on rear axel tubes and fwd stands on lwr control arms).

[burdar]

Why are you keeping the suspension under it?  Take the car apart...all the way.  Have the entire thing blasted.  Then start building it back up.

[3D]

Would also be nice if you could put it on some kind of jig.

[E-Body Products]

Position the car on jack stands on the four corners where the torque boxes would mount.  Make sure all of the suspension is fully disassembled.


Daniel
www.ebodyproducts.com

[jimynick]

I don't want to be contradictory, but you had the right idea when you said to put the stands under the diff and frt cntrl arms. That loads the body the way the car will be when it's on it's wheels. You can put the stands where you want, but don't expect the car to follow your idea of where it wants to carry it's weight. Disassembling the whole car IS the best way to totally restore it, but unless that's your plan and you've budgeted the time and money, I'd give it a second thought. At the end of the day, your car, your decision. Good luck