RESTORATION PROCESS

[moprr]

I'm just about ready to star my project.  The only thing I restored before was a 81 dodge step side truck and that was totally different.  I'm going to have to replace 1 quarter, trunk floor,  Redo the tranny hump for new 5.7 and trans, add frame connectors and torque boxes.  I'm not sure where the best place to start is.  Has anyone done a decent job on the undercarriage without a rotisserie by just raising the car.  (still debating on the rotisserie worried about flexing).  Any input for were to start would be appreciated thanks.

[HemiOrange70]

I am doing my car and I did not do a rotiserie and wish I did as it would of been easier to get the undercoating off (over 27 hours scraping) and then had it sandblasted. To work underneath is way easier unless you have a hoist then it is just messy

[Chlngrcrzy]

Go with a rotisserie. If you can afford one buy one, if you can build one, build one. Ask around maybe someone has one you can use. Definiently need one for making it easier to get under and do all the nasty stuff, like scraping tar,etc. I built mine, nothing fancy but it works. Good luck with the restor

[e-tek]

I'll give some credence to the other side - just for sh!ts and giggles...
While a rotisserie WOULD be nice, not everyone has one, can find one or wants to build one - so, YES, you can do this without. Put it on nice high jackstands - 6 evenly spaced will eliminate any flex. Besides, it won't flex much (if at all) just doing a quarter and trunk floor.  One thing I'll STRONGLY suggest is to take MANY pics!! Digital hopefully. Every item you take off should be photo'd. I took quite a few, but missed the wiring covers inside the drivers rocker and now can't recall where they weld on!!! (see my thread on that question!). Pics of the engine bay, etc.,  BEFORE taking anything off, plus more as you go.
If it where me, I'd start by taking the quarter and trunk floor off. Find ALL the spot welds and either use a SW cutter or a 1/2" drill to cut 'em. The cleaner you get all the spot welds, the nicer it all turns out. When you are replacing the sheet metal, make sure you spend a couple DAYS fitting and aligning. Put the trunk lid and rear valence back on to help line it all up. Hold it all with Vicegrips, sheet metal screws, etc., and then check your door, trunk, valence gaps, how it fits to trunk drop off, wheel well, etc. Then put just a few tacks at first to see if it all stayed straight before welding it all up.
You can do the hump before or after - it'd all be stripped anyways. Also be sure to TAG and BAG every last piece - oh and did I mention photo's??

[tyler]

and, one other VERY improtant thing, when you do the quarter, make sure the car is sitting on the suspension!!  you dont need a rotisserie, just get it in the air enough.  in fact, you're probably better off without using one as far as your end result goes, because, i've never seen a car drive down the road hanging on a rotisserie, wouldn't it make the most sense to build it as is sits as a completed car?  you could get it blasted on a rotisserie, but that's as long as id keep in on it.

[Travis72]

I cleaned all of my floorboards by putting the car up on jackstands and spending hours laying on my back scraping and grinding.  It's messy, nasty work but do-able.  It would be easier on your forearms, back and neck using a rotisserie but then again much harder on your wallet.  I even sandblasted some of the nooks and crannies with it up on jackstands (that really sucked), but it's possible to do a great job, it just takes time.  Here's how mine ended up looking.

Travis
72 Cuda

[moprr]

That's a nice job off jack stands.  I was considering building a frame to have it a couple feet off the ground,  but welding would suck.

[tyler]

Building a frame rack is actually awesome if you're able to.  The one I have i think the top of it is about 32" high, and makes working under it very easy, and you can weld braces, etc. off of it and set ride height and square everything to the table, and all that and not have to worry about anything moving or anything.