Asking for Some Advice About My Rustbucket (kinda long)

[Guest Anonymous]

I'm finding out that my car is a big ol' rustbucket. Too bad I didn't know what to look for back when I bought it!

Mechanically, it's absolutely sound. No problems whatsoever. Most everything was redone about 2 yrs ago (brakes, tranny, suspension, etc. I even put in a Crane ignition).

But I'm discovering there's major rust in the floorboards, along the tranny tunnel, in the rear shock towers, yadda yadda...stuff that didn't show up to my newbie eyes 3 yrs ago, but have now become screamingly obvious.

My question is this: Would I be better off selling this car, and putting the money toward a cleaner 02?

OR should I find a rust-free shell and transfer everything over to it? This sounds like a more expensive option, but I don't know that for sure...how many of you have done it?

OR should I try to repair the rust damage?

I'm thinking about taking it to Terry Sayther up in Austin and getting an estimate from him for these last two options (transfer to a new shell, or rust repair).

I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!

[Guest Anonymous]

to a solid shell really isn't that huge a job, especially as compared to major rust repair. The unavoidable question mark in starting over with another car is the unknown condition of all the mechanical/electrical stuff.

Sounds like maybe you're in Texas or that general area - some hunting should turn up a solid shell for reasonable $$ in the Southwest that you could work with.

[Guest Anonymous]

URL: http://list.wrha.mb.ca/02/almost/

I am halfway through this (fixing a rusty 02). Trust me, finding a rust free shell and moving everything over, by the time its done...I bet will cost half of what it would cost you to fix your rustbucket, and probably take half the time as well.

check out the below link.

If thats not enough, hit hte link, click on 'parent directory' to go back one, and look at the rest.

And I haven't started the passenger side yet. Or the shock towers. Or the drivers frame rail. Or....you get the picture

Matt

[Guest Anonymous]

and I replaced hood doors, rockers, Both qtr, trunk floor and back panel. I am now doing both front floors. This was just a boat load of dough, time effort, etc. The car is great now. This voice of experince agrees with Matt. Get a shell. Also, your problem is that you still haven't found all the rust.

[Guest Anonymous]

you can find something down there. You could pay Terry to do it or check out a shop called Black Forest Werkshop- Lee Rector used to be my boss. Terry used to be his. In the process of doing this exact same thing myself I came across tons of stuff that needed to be done at the same time- stuff taht wouldn't have gotten taken care of otherwise. If you talk to Lee tell him that Zeus said "HEY"

[Guest Anonymous]

I was pretty discouraged yesterday by my latest rust find -- the gas pedal was leaning to the right toward the tranny tunnel...I thought it was because it had slipped off those bottom hinges, but noooooo...it's 'cause the floorboard around it has rotted out!!! Sigh.

The crazy thing is every time I start to think, "Argh, I need to get rid of this car," I get back behind the wheel and love it all over again. Time to start looking for a shell, I s'pose!

[Guest Anonymous]

JF Pro they have a "completely rust free" shell for sale. If it is the price is not to bad.