Finally Bought My Dream Car. 1969 Roadrunner Project

[Stevo427]

Personally I don't believe in grafting of stock frame rails and I would replace it but that is just me. I would try and find some factory originals. I have one for the passenger side you are welcome to have but the shipping cost would be high.

Thanks. I've decided the car Is definitely goin to the frame shop. I'll see what kind of magic they can work on the frame rails. Got a better look at them today without the inner fenders and there not that bad. If worse comes to worse I'll take you up on that offer. My decision to take it to the frame shop is based on peace of mind. My mind was racing all night on deciding what to do and I think I'll leave it to the professionals with the right equipment. Plus I wouldn't mind knowing the whole car is in perfect spec.

 

[Stevo427]

Well other then having decided to take the car to frame shop I removed the other inner fender today. Luckily it was just spot welded so it was a little easier.
The bottom of the radiator support on the other hand was a little more of a pain in the ***. It was welded to the frame in some tight locations but I was able to get it off.






Do you think the frame shop would be able to work the dented insides of the frame rail back to normal?. If not and the frame rails are up to spec. I might just make some bracing and weld it over the area for extra support and to cover the dents. Don't plan on ever selling the car so this little detail wouldn't bug me.

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Also put her on all 4's for the first time in awhile. Forgot how low this car looks

 

[wannadrag]

Big oak tree,chain come along and a torch and go to it.

 

[Stevo427]

haha I already tried a torch and hydraulic puller and it'd get to spec then as soon as I let it off it snap back into place. Frame shop's problem now :icon_biggrin:

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Actually saw a video of a roadrunner getting it's frame straightened by a tree and a chain. Was intresting

 

[747mopar]

It all depends on the shop as far as whether they can or should I say want to fix your dents. I'll throw another idea at you, why not just drill out the spot welds on the frame cap? Once it's removed you could stuff a block of metal or wood in there to act like a dolley and work the dents out. There is no reason you can't weld just the 6" on either, you always want to bevel the metal and leave a gap between the maiting parts about a 1/16" so that you have 100% weld penatration. I've done this a million times and it always works, don't sweat it, just do it right. Once everything is done plug weld the cap back on and your done. Good luck

 

[Stevo427]

It all depends on the shop as far as whether they can or should I say want to fix your dents. I'll throw another idea at you, why not just drill out the spot welds on the frame cap? Once it's removed you could stuff a block of metal or wood in there to act like a dolley and work the dents out. There is no reason you can't weld just the 6" on either, you always want to bevel the metal and leave a gap between the maiting parts about a 1/16" so that you have 100% weld penatration. I've done this a million times and it always works, don't sweat it, just do it right. Once everything is done plug weld the cap back on and your done. Good luck

I was thinking the same thing about taking the cap off. I already started on the passenger side in one of the pictures. I'll give it a shot with pulling them out. If all else fails then I'll go with the grafting in the 6" piece. When I think about it I don't see why it would do any harm. If done right it should hold up fine. Not to mention I can brace the inside of the frame rails after it's done and it'd probably be the strongest part of the frame. **** my truck I had the whole backside of the frame cut-off and rewelded back on and it's never had a problem. Still going to have the car go to the frame shop though. See what they can do about it.

 

[Basket case]

my Uncle did that to Dad's '77 shortbed Power Wagon. cut the frame off back of the cab and welded a complete new back half.

 

[Stevo427]

my Uncle did that to Dad's '77 shortbed Power Wagon. cut the frame off back of the cab and welded a complete new back half.

I made my truck into a short bed :upside down:
In other news only got a little less then an hour to work on the car today. Just pulled the caps off the frame. Figured I'd get as much done as I can before the frame shop gets there hands on it.

 

[Stevo427]

So frame shop said "we don't work on those kind of cars" What a croc of **** that is. Might just move the car next to a tree and go to business. That or my original idea to graft in new 6-10" pieces.

 

[LeoD]

I woulda replied "what real ones?"

 

[snakeyes]

if you have a good torch with a rose bud tip you could do this at home ,any good shop could of done this with out a problem sounds like they where lazy and just blew you off not all shops are like that ,this is what give the industry a bad rep.

 

[Stevo427]

It's alright I went to all the review sites that come up when your looking for a shop and gave them a really good review on how great of a shop they are ...Now instead of a 10 minute drive it'd be a 45 minute drive to the closest shop. So I'll be doing it myself. Since it seems like anytime I take or think about doing something at a shop they mess it up or I end up leaving with a bad taste in my mouth. I never take my truck to a shop. One day I didn't have time to do a simple repair myself. Took it there to have it done while i was at work. Got the car and drove home to find out all my lug nuts where loose.

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I think I did to much prep work for them so they didn't see it as a profit. That's my personal opinion

 

[Propwash]

You're probably right. That would have been a cake walk for them. Honestly, in most cases...you're better off doing it yourself anyways. Sad to say, but it's true.

 

[wingcarenvy]

I had to get a frame pulled on my old 68 and the first few shops told me no way without it being complete. I think some shy away from incomplete cars because they are too light. Well thats BS because there are two shops in the OC that will work on it. One is European Motor Car (I have to check on the name, its a friends shop) and the other is Rite-Way autobody in Fountain Valley, they never say no. I dont think its a good idea to just wail away on it or to replace just the last 6 inches. Since I know this car, I truly believe that the right side frame is not only bent in, its bent up, and its pushed back into the fire wall. I would seriously consider replacing the front frame rails complete or take it to a good frame shop and let them strategically pull it into shape. Rite Way charged me $500 to straighten out my 68 and it was severly bent.

 

[Stevo427]

Hey snake eyes your PM box is full. here's what I was going to send you... my girlfriend is not that good at holding a tape steady haha. I don't have my square or anything to transfer the line. But Double checking both sides where right around 116 3/8..I need to take a better measurement of it when i get a chance. But thats what I got for wheel hub center to center.

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Only reason i really want to cut and weld the 6" piece on is because of how dented the frame rails are. I still plan on having the car go to a frame shop.

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I had to get a frame pulled on my old 68 and the first few shops told me no way without it being complete. I think some shy away from incomplete cars because they are too light. Well thats BS because there are two shops in the OC that will work on it. One is European Motor Car (I have to check on the name, its a friends shop) and the other is Rite-Way autobody in Fountain Valley, they never say no. I dont think its a good idea to just wail away on it or to replace just the last 6 inches. Since I know this car, I truly believe that the right side frame is not only bent in, its bent up, and its pushed back into the fire wall. I would seriously consider replacing the front frame rails complete or take it to a good frame shop and let them strategically pull it into shape. Rite Way charged me $500 to straighten out my 68 and it was severly bent.

Rite way sounds like the rite way to go :tongue5:. I'll look in to them. I did buy some frame rails to replace the front 6". But they came with good inner fenders. So if worse comes to worse I still get to use the inner fenders.

 

[snakeyes]

steve just saw that I'll have to go and clean it out I'll try and see if I can find my measurement charts plus my upper body charts ,so I may scan them to you :reading:

 

[Stevo427]

Sent rite way a detailed email with pictures. I'll see what they say. Sucks I have to take it that far. That'll end up being an expensive trip

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steve just saw that I'll have to go and clean it out I'll try and see if I can find my measurement charts plus my upper body charts ,so I may scan them to you :reading:

Alright that'd be sweet. Thanks a lot for all the help. You guys go above and beyond. This forum is awesome

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Rite Way charged me $500 to straighten out my 68 and it was severly bent.

Out of curiosity how bad would you say your 68 was bent?

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Also I might go and get the whole car media Blasted. Theres a shop I had do some parts on my truck and they did an awesome job and got everything back to me including all my wheels in about a day. They do work with Lockheed and other big name companies so you know there good.... They got a huge oven/blasting booth. He told me he'd do 75/hr and there not ones to screw around and waste time. So I might get the whole car done for a pretty good price. Also the place is 5-10 mins from my house. Soooo that's nice haha. Just found out they do epoxy primer painting also. I've been thinking about it and I really want this car done nice. Plus I figure it will save me a lot of wire wheeling. Looks like I gotta step up that ramen noodle diet :glasses10:

 

[Stevo427]

Haven't been doing much. Went out and got all the lead out of the seams with a propane torch. Spun the car around and put it back on jacks. Other then that not much going on. I'd take the quarters off but I'm not sure if I should do some bracing. Have to replace the quarters, dutchman panel, and trunk floor. Also what would be the best order to go in. I would think trunk floor first so I have plenty of access with the quarters off and fresh metal to put the new extensions on. Then quarters. Then the dutchman panel. What do you guys recommend. Also found some rust right next to the seam.

 

[fasfish]

awsome ride, passons five speed is out I believe ,,, if you got the dough ... consider one of those

 

[Donny]

Media Blast is what this car needs! You'll never pick up a wire brush ever again once you get your car media blasted.