Where to get started??

[Rry0013]

Hey guys, I just picked up a 1972 Cuda project. It needs some, well, everything. There is one good panel on it and that's the roof. I bought this as a project someone else had started. It's been stripped down to the shell and media blasted. As they say a picture is worth a 1000 words so..







I understand this is a massive undertaking, however, I've done panel replacement before, have to tools necessary, and hey it's a real Cuda so it's worth saving.

It's mounted on a cart that I and going to modify to add 2 x 2 rectangular tubing underneath the frame rails. I am then going to tack the body to the cart once it's square and level. After this I am going to run support braces from side to side and across each door. From there though I think I'll just start with the main floor section and work outwards.

What do you guys think?

[Challenger in NC]

Hey guys, I just picked up a 1972 Cuda project. It needs some, well, everything. There is one good panel on it and that's the roof. I bought this as a project someone else had started. It's been stripped down to the shell and media blasted. As they say a picture is worth a 1000 words so..

I understand this is a massive undertaking, however, I've done panel replacement before, have to tools necessary, and hey it's a real Cuda so it's worth saving.

It's mounted on a cart that I and going to modify to add 2 x 2 rectangular tubing underneath the frame rails. I am then going to tack the body to the cart once it's square and level. After this I am going to run support braces from side to side and across each door. From there though I think I'll just start with the main floor section and work outwards.

What do you guys think?

Welcome. I was going to say a new Dynacorn body (if they made one for the cuda) but that would take all the fun out of it, right?  Numerous people have taken on stuff just like yours, some even worst. Since you do panel replacement and have the tools, you're ahead of the game. Stay tuned for a lot of advice. 

[1 Wild R/T]

It was a great concert, great album & in this case great advice......   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF1xiXpl9I0    And since you won't take the advise in five years you'll realize just how correct I am....

[340challconvert]

A labor of love-Good Luck with the project

[Rry0013]

Come on guys, lets stay positive. How do you eat an elephant? One panel at a time...see what I did there.

As far as my experience, I had a 70 challenger previously that I put new pans in, front, rear and trunk so I am new to this forum but not panel replacement and not e-bodies. I'm up for the task I am just inquiring as to what is the best starting point? I plan on doing one panel at a time and moving onto the next.

[rUNCHARGER]

How are the frame rails and rockers? Brace it up very well, measure before cutting anything to make sure all is lined up. Rockers-Rails-floors-drop-offs etc. I would only cut out one piece at a time if I were doing it.

Sheldon

[1 Wild R/T]

I'm positive I've given you the best advise your gonna get....    

[AARTA340]

First, welcome to the site. You will get lots of advice here. Some you will like and some may just leave your head spinning. I sure hope you got a good deal on the project, because that hits -1 on a scale of 1-100. Everything from this point is just my 

As you stated, the only good part is the roof. Take that statement in for a moment and then get out a pad of paper and then proceed to the AMD site and create a list of every part they have for that year. Add it all up. Then really give it some thought on what is going to take to replace everything the roof is sitting on. You will end up with an astronomical amount of  for just the panels, then they have to all be welded together. Is it possible, yes, but at what final cost? Only a couple cars come to mind I would consider doing this on, of course one is a Hemi, and the second would be a v code vert. I would not even think of doing a TA or AAR, just too many good projects out there.

Another song comes to mind as I am typing this, Kenny Rogers, know when to hold and know when to fold. I would definitely fold and sell it and recoup as much as possible and then look for another project.

As the old saying goes, you only make money restoring other peoples cars. Even if you had gotten that one for free, you would be in it so deep, you would never find bottom.

If you do precede to restore, you will still have this site for support. Good luck and take your time before you fully commit to the total rebuild/restoration. 

[Rry0013]

Ugh, okay, let me give you guys some more info on the car and my situation.

I got the car with the follow new AMD panels:
Both rear frame rails
upper rear crossmember
rear crossmember and extensions
truck floor braces
full trunk floor and drop offs
both sides inner and outer wheelhouses
outer rocker panels both sides
door hinges
full floor pan

Add up the price for those parts from AMD and I have less than that in the car, with a clean title. I also have a good condition Rally gauge cluster, dash, rear seat, door panels, all the electrical harnesses, headlights and taillight, and all the glass. So financially I'm perfectly fine with having to purchase the rest and complete the body. I will be going with a new gen III Hemi and 5 or 6 speed tranny.

Now as for me. I am about 2.5 years into my PhD and have about 2.5 years more until I graduate. I have all my own tools and the space to do this project and free time on nights and weekends. I don't have a whole lot of disposable income, I am a student, however I can comfortably purchase 1 large or 2-3 small panels a month. I realistically expect upon graduating to have the body panels replaced, the car in epoxy primer and sitting on it's suspension, with steering and brakes.

I realize I'm building more of a "kit" car at this point, but given my current financial and working situation I am completely fine with that. Besides I enjoy metal work. I painted cars at a body shop years ago right after high school but I honestly like metalwork more.

[roadman5312]

                Oh he!! yes, build it.  Start a thread, lots of    Were all here to help.   

[usraptr]

First of all welcome to the site.  To answer your question you may want to check out the "Restoration" thread on the forum.  Several people have done similar builds/body panel replacements and by viewing their threads if may give you a question as to what order to tackle things.  Good luck and keep us posted with your progress. 

[EB3-GranCoupe]

  with roadman. Start a thread. With lots of pics.
 

[A.Gramz]

First off   Good luck.

 I am currently in a restoration like yours.  I started off doing cab floor first and working out from there one panel at a time  onto firewall cowl and inners.   I used multiple sets of stands and shims to level car but if I were to do it again I would put it on a table and weld it there.   

When u cut out the old panels either sand blast or rust treat area then epoxy before welding new panels in.  I also epoxy prime new panels before installing as I find e coat thin on new panels.  (I didn't use amd not sure what there coat is like).   

Also take lots of measurements before cutting anything out and checking them during reassembly will help insure everything is in its correct location. 

[AARTA340]

Ugh, okay, let me give you guys some more info on the car and my situation.

I got the car with the follow new AMD panels:
Both rear frame rails
upper rear crossmember
rear crossmember and extensions
truck floor braces
full trunk floor and drop offs
both sides inner and outer wheelhouses
outer rocker panels both sides
door hinges
full floor pan

Add up the price for those parts from AMD and I have less than that in the car, with a clean title. I also have a good condition Rally gauge cluster, dash, rear seat, door panels, all the electrical harnesses, headlights and taillight, and all the glass. So financially I'm perfectly fine with having to purchase the rest and complete the body. I will be going with a new gen III Hemi and 5 or 6 speed tranny.

Now as for me. I am about 2.5 years into my PhD and have about 2.5 years more until I graduate. I have all my own tools and the space to do this project and free time on nights and weekends. I don't have a whole lot of disposable income, I am a student, however I can comfortably purchase 1 large or 2-3 small panels a month. I realistically expect upon graduating to have the body panels replaced, the car in epoxy primer and sitting on it's suspension, with steering and brakes.

I realize I'm building more of a "kit" car at this point, but given my current financial and working situation I am completely fine with that. Besides I enjoy metal work. I painted cars at a body shop years ago right after high school but I honestly like metalwork more.

 


You were holding out on us, now with the added info, that is a game changer for sure. 

So with that in mind, getting the body on a good sound foundation and check it out to insure it is at factory specs. Then i would say, that starting with the frame rails and build it on up to the upper panels.

Can't wait to see your thread on this build, COOL.

[roadman5312]

with roadman. Start a thread. With lots of pics.