2002 Gt Front End Wreck, Rebuild. Advice?

[mbfwhite]

I've seen a million and 1 of these posts with nothing but negativity and criticism, take it elsewhere.
I have an 02 GT with 77k miles that i'm interested in rebuilding. Just curious what it would take to do it, i will be posting pics in the near future, but just for now lets assume i have to replace everything from the firewall forward, excluding the engine. any help? both 'fenders' are bent and the radiator support is shot. so i need new fenders, fender aprons, radiator support beam, radiator, bumper, hood, etc.
I don't know a lot about the frame or uni-body structure, all i know is that the front of the car is screwed. Would i be better off to get it straightened? or cut it off and get a new one welded? I may sound dumb, but like i said, i am unfamiliar with the frame structure. I know all the right people and can do most of the work/ painting myself. Now i'm sure i could "get a new one for cheaper" and it's "a waste of money". So please keep those comments to yourself, only interested in helpful advice to the given situation. Thanks in advance to anyone who helps, and i hope this helps anyone else in the future looking to rebuild theirs. If i go through with this, i will be posting pictures and prices of everything, Thank you

 

[mogs01gt]

IMO you have few options.
1. new body
2. cut front end off and go with a tubular frame
3. spend time and money getting the front straighten on a frame machine

 

[90sickfox]

I've do one before...we cut the front off from the strut towers forward. We cut the front end off a junk car and welded it onto the crashed one. For the frame we used plate steel and wrapped the frame rail. Measure thrice... Cut once. Not too bad a job....had it done and ready for paint in a weekend. If the frame is bent behind the strut towers towards the firewall then it may be way nor difficult. Find a good body and take measurements.

 

[Noobz347]

I don't know a lot about the frame or uni-body structure, all i know is that the front of the car is screwed.

You are in over your head. Putting a car back together for you and your friends and family to ride in, is not the place to begin your structural education. Hell.... I've even a done some small portion of structural repair over the last 30 or so years but I wouldn't attempt it solo.

Now i'm sure i could "get a new one for cheaper" and it's "a waste of money". So please keep those comments to yourself, only interested in helpful advice to the given situation.

Ok then. It's UNSAFE. Here's the only recommendation that I can make that "YOU" might find helpful:

Take the car to a collision repair specialist. Tell them you are gathering estimates. Look at the print out and note each and every part that they plan to replace. Note any special equipment that they might use. Also note the number of man hours listed for each portion of the repair and what that specific repair is for. When you have that itemized list, then examine it carefully.

If there's anything on that list that you don't have or cannot do, then you're building a death trap.

I get that this car may have some sentimental value but it it needs to be repaired by a pro or scrapped unfortunately.

Now nothing says you can't take pieces off that car to put onto a new solid roller. Might be an option for you.

 

[CamronM]

There is a lot involved, like noobz posted above. I recently repaired a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse involved in a front end accident and oh boy was it tedious. Before I give any advice, I want to warn you thay even if something is very slightly off, your car fenders and bumper and such will not line up correctly.

First off, if you buy any new body parts, either a wrecking yard or buying actual ford replacement body parts is the best option. I bought aftermarket ones and they did not fit the car correctly and I had to buy new ones anyway.

Secondly, if you do decide to do it yourself, be sure you put all the bolts in zip lock baggies! It saves a lot of time. Just label a baggie left fender or front bumper, etc.

Third, try not to rush things, if you're gonna do it, do it right and have fun doing it. Having someone else there helping you is always a better way to do it.

Good luck

 

[mbfwhite]

Thanks for the advice guys. Just an FYI. I don't weld or any of that, any of the alignment will be done through a professional shop. I will simply be doing the motor, transmission, suspension, and putting on all the little extras. I wouldn't be trying to weld and hope for the best or doing the wiring

 

[mbfwhite]

 

[mbfwhite]

I am getting a new cherry picker and engine stand soon and will finish pulling the motor. I am cutting the headers off with a sawzaw and then unbolting the tranny and pulling the motor. The CAI was pushed onto the valve cover which rubbed through. So I'm sure their is debris in their. Any advice on cleaning?

 

[mbfwhite]

 

[mbfwhite]

 

[RED2001GT]

Looks like what my 2002 Mustang V6 looked like back in the winter (February) of 2008 when I plowed into a pickup truck that flew threw a Stop sign.
My 2002 V6 Mustang got totaled with that accident and the insurance company ended up buying it. I ended up buying a brand new 2008 Dodge Charger RT R&T (Road & Track Pack).
It's a good thing that I didn't have my 2001 Mustang GT out on the road during the wintertime. I still have my 2001 GT.

 

[old_blue]

Now i'm sure i could "get a new one for cheaper" and it's "a waste of money". So please keep those comments to yourself, only interested in helpful advice to the given situation. Thanks in advance to anyone who helps, and i hope this helps anyone else in the future looking to rebuild theirs. If i go through with this, i will be posting pictures and prices of everything, Thank you

Seems a little contradictive, but I will chime in anyways.

Is there an emotional attachment to this car? or are you looking for the best option possible?

Once these unibodies are in that serious of an accident it is very hard to get them back into shape. Even welding on a new front end (firewall forward) does not mean you wont have drivability issues in the long run. I won't say its a waste of money as many of us have spent money we wish we could get back. It's your car and I admire you wanting to save it. I agree with the above and get an estimate from a body shop that has a frame machine. I think once you see this cost and time spent into this you may change your mind. Not only that, in some states the car will have to go through a series of inspections to be placed back on the road, assuming it will have a salvaged title.

Take it or leave it, but my opinion, the best bet is to get a V6 or a shell/roller of a V8 and swap all parts over there. Those can be had for close to $1k and I think you will be way over that in labor and new parts. You part out what's left then. My .02

Regardless, I look forward to your decision and eventual progress thread.

 

[mbfwhite]

Seems a little contradictive, but I will chime in anyways.

Is there an emotional attachment to this car? or are you looking for the best option possible?

Once these unibodies are in that serious of an accident it is very hard to get them back into shape. Even welding on a new front end (firewall forward) does not mean you wont have drivability issues in the long run. I won't say its a waste of money as many of us have spent money we wish we could get back. It's your car and I admire you wanting to save it. I agree with the above and get an estimate from a body shop that has a frame machine. I think once you see this cost and time spent into this you may change your mind. Not only that, in some states the car will have to go through a series of inspections to be placed back on the road, assuming it will have a salvaged title.

Take it or leave it, but my opinion, the best bet is to get a V6 or a shell/roller of a V8 and swap all parts over there. Those can be had for close to $1k and I think you will be way over that in labor and new parts. You part out what's left then. My .02

Regardless, I look forward to your decision and eventual progress thread.

Thanks for your input, this is actually the route i've been looking into. I was referring to the comments about just parting it out and buying a whole new car. I just bought this car alittle while ago and it already has a salvage title, so i'm not worried about that. Im just looking to get it back on the road, although i havent heard much good about doing a v6 swap? do you, or anyone really, know what all goes into the swap. i know i need the wiring, rear end, transmission, im assuming the suspension and i would have to swap the interior. This was my 02 with 77k on it and awesome leather interior, so id have to keep it. ive found a few v6s, but im just hesitant on it because of all the swapping around on it, and the v6 vin#. i know for resale its bad. Also have heard rumors about the insurance not covering a wreck if they find out you have a swapped engine? not sure how true that is.

Any help is much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[old_blue]

With these cars being over 10 years old there isn't really much of a resale value. Being your car already had a salvage title it would probably be comparable.

As far as insurance, all I can say is call them and ask. I bet though if you tell them its been modified for a v8 and you want it insured as such, they will charge you the gt going rate.

Swap-
I googled the swap and there are a ton of threads on this

V6 to V8 swap FAQ- Newbies Read Here First! - Ford Mustang Forum

I didn't take the time to read any but they are there

As far as ease. I've done a v8 swap on a foxbody and while it was straight forward, it was time consuming.

The cool part is you already have a complete donor minus some of the front engine components (radiator and such) and everything will bolt on to another new edge mustang. You will have to swap drive train wiring and maybe the speedo cluster since it is already setup for a v8 as far as the tach (don't know if the v6 will work or differences there). Find a straight clean v6 or shell and let the fun begin. Just mark everything as you take it apart.