rusted framerails

hsean

10 Year Member

Jul 24, 2006

656

69

69

dearborn,michigan

Jan 28, 2007

#1

• Jan 28, 2007

• #1

i have an 88 gt that is rusted out real bad underneath the strut towers,should i have those cut out and repaired or have the whole front end replaced from the firewall forward .i do have a donor car to have this done by a bodyshop soon i am just wondering what is the best course of action .both sides are gone there and it seems like a poor engineering design because it is just concentrated in that area.

 

MAC'n89Blckstng

Active Member

Jun 11, 2003

1,012

3

36

NJ

Jan 29, 2007

#2

• Jan 29, 2007

• #2

its from the e-coat not getting inbetween the sandwiched metal. mines rust quite a buit, next year Im putt it on jack stands and gonna cut out all the rust and replace it with 1/8th inch steel.

 

K

Kevins89notch5.0

Founding Member

Founding Member

Jan 1, 2000

5,864

1

78

Jan 29, 2007

#3

• Jan 29, 2007

• #3

I would wash your hands of the car, and be hunting for a clean body to swap the drivetrain into. I grew up in IL, and saw what rust can do. I would never even deal with a car from the midwest again.

 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

15 Year Member

Jul 6, 2006

5,232

2,652

223

gainesville

Jan 29, 2007

#4

• Jan 29, 2007

• #4

ditto, if the frame rails are going I would look for a new car

 

hsean

10 Year Member

Jul 24, 2006

656

69

69

dearborn,michigan

Jan 29, 2007

#5

• Jan 29, 2007

• #5

this is a t-top car last year for the t-top so it is rarei think it might be worth saving

 

NKau

Founding Member

Dec 15, 2001

1,346

0

37

Jefferson, WI

Jan 29, 2007

#6

• Jan 29, 2007

• #6

Got any pics? Get some estimates, and be aware that it's going to cost you a LOT of money. If you have rust in the subframe, where else is it hiding? One of those situations where if you had the time and talent, it might be worth doing yourself, but paying a body shop will end with you having more money in the car than it's worth.

Kind of where I ended up with my '93 notch, but in my case it was shredded torque boxes and bad paint. Fixed the torque boxes with the help of friends, and paid someone $3,000 to smooth out all the little dings in it and to repaint it. I have way more money in the car than it's worth, but I am totally happy with what I have, and in the end, that's what really matters.

 

hsean

10 Year Member

Jul 24, 2006

656

69

69

dearborn,michigan

Jan 29, 2007

#7

• Jan 29, 2007

• #7

i have a friend that owns a bodyshop yet he has not seen the car i am sure he is up to suggestions .like i said i do have a donor car so the whole front end can be removed and placed on the t-top car. i was just curious if someone has gone through this procedure .i know that they all rust in that spot here in the northern states .so someone i am sure had to fix this problem in the past.i know the structure issue is the main problem with this type of repair.