1973 Front End Replacement. I Hate Rust

JLB3

Member
Dec 8, 2014
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I have had my 73 coupe for about 7 years (first car at 15). Of course I had a beater which was a 97 merc sable. Rott box as well. But anyways I'm going to attatch a few pics of what I am dealing with. The fender aprons are just about shot along with the front of the frame rails where the bumper attachment is. I'm not sure how successful it would be to weld patches in or just replace both sections completely. Never going to get rid of the car so resale isn't my concern.
 
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A few years back my father and I rebuilt the motor and trans. Drove it for a summer and has been parked and torn apart for about 5 out of 7 years I have owned it. BTW I personally can only weld with a MIG. Have thought about swapping to a clean fastback but this coupe does have sentimental value
 
If you can weld it would not be that big of a problem ,i am just not sure what pieces are available new .Dynacorn has some new panels for 71-73 .I would make a list of exactly what needs to be repaired / replaced and see what is available first ,Check with Mustangs Unlimited or National Parts Depot .The repairs would not be that much different than 65-70 .
 
If you can weld it would not be that big of a problem ,i am just not sure what pieces are available new .Dynacorn has some new panels for 71-73 .I would make a list of exactly what needs to be repaired / replaced and see what is available first ,Check with Mustangs Unlimited or National Parts Depot .The repairs would not be that much different than 65-70 .
I see dynacorn has full apron and frame assemblies. I was just going to get the 4 piece apron kit and patch other spots but patching frame rails doesn't sound like it would be very sound. Do plan on throwing in a 429 bbf in the future
 
That's kind of what I'm figuring. Anyone know of a good way to do this? Maybe measuring points? I work in a body shop as a painter. Doing frame replacement is not my specialty but there is a first for everything.
 
This is the front section I'm worried about and the 3rd pic is what looks to be a hole in the rail that's beneath the upper control arm. Both side have that issue. I know the passenger side needs replaced because after further inspection there is a baseball size hole where the the shock tower and frame meet in the back. If I decide to replace both should I do one at a time using the cross member as a reference?

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Yea I wish I could do that. That would be nice. I need to get the car over to my house so I can start the work. I'll have to do one at a time. Maybe start a thread on it as I can't find one on it. Car hasn't been on the road since 08 when the new motor and rebuilt trans was dropped in. All suspension needs rebuilt. Rear diff needs rebuilt along with new driveshaft (dented and seemed unbalanced). Rear floors need done. Thinking of doing quarter panel exhaust exits too.