Am I crazy?

[90blue5.0]

So the rear sub frame on my car is rusting from the inside out. Maybe from water sitting in there for too long, I don't know but it is pretty thin.

In any case the rest of the car is imaculate and I really do not want to get rid of it. So would it be possible to cut out the rear subframe from the torque boxes back and replace it with on cut out of a donor car?

 

[86bluecobra]

i bet you it would be easier to patch the frame then removing it.

 

[90blue5.0]

Since the frame from the torqu boxes back has no significant structural importance besides support, to bolt the quad shock to and so forth I should have no real problems with aligning it.

What I am thinking I will do is grind off the spot welds, cut it a good six inches behing the torque boxs and couple inches infront of the bumper support then pull that piece out. While that is out I can patch the floor pan in a couple spots, weld all other seams and use something like POR 15 on everything else.

Sound reasonable?

 

[srothfuss]

A friend and I did this on his 68 road runner. It takes some work, but can be done in the garage. If you can find a piece out of a donor car, go for it. If not, make a patch panel and weld in a reinforcement temporarily.

 

[90blue5.0]

I have a couple friends with parts cars so I am sure they will let me flip them and cut out what I need. Should be one hell of an ambitious project but I know I would regret selling this car.

 

[srothfuss]

While you are down there look for any other areas that need patch work. It sucks putting the gas tank in and out to fix things you "forgot" the last time.

Good luck! Take your time...

 

[90blue5.0]

I will be sure to do that. Looking forward to getting started this weekend. Will post pics as I go.

 

[squeeeg]

What kind and thickness of metal would you use for a patch piece. I have the same problem with mine.

 

[90blue5.0]

I haven't bought the metal yet but I think that after I cut some out I will take it down to a local steel supplier then have them match it to whatever they have that is closest in thikness and the metals composition.

I guess I will have to buy two types of metal. One for the frame and one for the floor pan. Not too sure how much I will need but I will find out after I rip everything apart.

I do not think that I will totally replace the sub frame anymore but simply patch and reinforce it then try to kill the rust as best I can. The rust on mine is primarily right behind the rear tires where all the road grit is shot at. I know that I will have to replace some of the floor in that area on both sides and probably replace a foot long section of the subframe at the very back.

I am taking recomendations for the BEST rust coating on the market. From what I have heard it is POR 15 but is there anything new and improved out there?

 

[Zero_chance]

Rust Encapsulator by eastwood company beat POR - 15 in 3 independent side to side comparisons and is a lot cheaper. Go to their website and look at one of the comparisons between the two and Ill think youll go with Rust encapsulator.