What did you do to your car today?

Mister 4x4 · Mar 15, 2012

And here I thought my "almost fart joke" would've been the quotable line in my post. LOL!

MWR - not so much anymore. They're all about how much money the various facilities bring in. Like I said, we'll see how it goes. I might be griping some more about it in the near future yet.

droptop73 · Mar 16, 2012

The lady in a big brown truck brought me some presents today!

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sm3570 · Mar 16, 2012

Nice, Jeff! Good blend of modern and classic.

droptop73 · Mar 16, 2012

I couldn't help it!

Wheel mounted 33.bmp

Wheel from front 33.bmp

71_badmach · Mar 16, 2012

I like! Looks like alot of wheel on the back, 10"?

not2old · Mar 16, 2012

Ist day off with great weather and spent time with Mach. Pulled rest of the seats and carpet. Spent a few hours and wired radio and speakers. mounted rear speakers under reardeck and Bam.....We got tunes

Time well spend for a change

Alan L

Mister 4x4 · Mar 17, 2012

Decided discretion was the better part of valor and will replace the driver side outer rocker panel. There were some soft spots (which are now holes), and rather than put the quarter on and have to do the rocker anyway, I figured I'd wait on that. So, I pulled the quarter windows and moved to the passenger side quarter panel and opened it up - no surprises... I knew the outer wheelhouse would be munched as well. Got most of the bad stuff removed and will repair the wheelhouse tomorrow.

Also received the 'new' forward fuel tank strap bracket from Don - it's AWESOME and WAY better than the one that came with my pile. Thanks again, Don!!

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Here's the initial run with the plasma cutter on the passenger side. Looks pretty much like the driver side - most of the rust is down-low and in the usual places.

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Got the rest of the quarter removed, just need to clean and repair the wheelhouse, clean everything else up, Rust Bullet, and 'step' the sheet metal for the new panel section. Tomorrow will be busy!

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71_badmach · Mar 17, 2012

Man Eric, are you sure the car wasn't parked in the Gulf for awhile? Looking at your trunk strap brace, it looks like part of a coral reef! Takes a brave man to do the repairs you are doing. Between you and Q, this forum will have a "how to" on most any part! Great work!

droptop73 · Mar 17, 2012

I like! Looks like alot of wheel on the back, 10"?

Yes, 18X9 @ +24 offset on front and 18X10 @ 22mm offset on the rear. I've been e-mailing Mike (luxstang) and we think we have the spacers figured out. I may be able to get away with 1/4" or 3/8" on the rear. I'll need to get the tires before I can determine that for sure.

OMS · Mar 18, 2012

Decided discretion was the better part of valor and will replace the driver side outer rocker panel. There were some soft spots (which are now holes), and rather than put the quarter on and have to do the rocker anyway, I figured I'd wait on that. So, I pulled the quarter windows and moved to the passenger side quarter panel and opened it up - no surprises... I knew the outer wheelhouse would be munched as well. Got most of the bad stuff removed and will repair the wheelhouse tomorrow.

Also received the 'new' forward fuel tank strap bracket from Don - it's AWESOME and WAY better than the one that came with my pile. Thanks again, Don!!

Here's the initial run with the plasma cutter on the passenger side. Looks pretty much like the driver side - most of the rust is down-low and in the usual places.

Got the rest of the quarter removed, just need to clean and repair the wheelhouse, clean everything else up, Rust Bullet, and 'step' the sheet metal for the new panel section. Tomorrow will be busy!

Eric, you need rockers ????

I have several cut out

Don

73vertproject · Mar 18, 2012

Holy smokes, Eric! That's a lot of work - good job!

Don65Stang · Mar 18, 2012

Holy smokes, Eric! That's a lot of work - good job!

I think that car should be named Lazarus b/c Eric is bringing it back from the dead.

mach71351c · Mar 18, 2012

We all should take note of Eric's dedication to his project. Good job.

Mister 4x4 · Mar 18, 2012

Thanks for the kind words, guys - really appreciate it!

Today, I was able to get the outer wheelhouse trimmed up, cleaned out, and the new wheelhouse section fitted and welded on. Just gotta grind down the welds, glob in the seam sealer and Rust Bullet, then it should be ready for the quarter panel section.

Here's the new outer wheelhouse section test fitting:

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And all welded in:

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Like Scott said, it's all about protective equipment... but there's no reason we can't have fun. My dust filter's not as fancy as his, so I had to spiff it up a little - Sharpies Rule!

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Next weekend I should be able to get the passenger side all squared away - ready for the quarter sections, and hopefully get into the driver side rocker replacement.

Speaking of: Hey Don, what'cha got? Just need a driver side, the passenger side is just fine. PM'd ya.

"Lazarus..." Cracks me up.

The wife still says, "Frankenstang."

Oh yeah, the director of the shop came by today and was really interested in everything I was doing. He seemed pretty excited that it was going well and his 17-yr-old son was drooling and saying how cool it was. I think I scored some major points and maybe the drama should be over for awhile.

Mister 4x4 · Mar 19, 2012

Man Eric, are you sure the car wasn't parked in the Gulf for awhile? Looking at your trunk strap brace, it looks like part of a coral reef! Takes a brave man to do the repairs you are doing. Between you and Q, this forum will have a "how to" on most any part! Great work!

I'm glad you guys seem to think I know what I'm doing - I'm learning most of this stuff on-the-fly with a generous supply of advice from Scott and the rest of the guys. Which just goes to show that anything can be done with the right people lookin' over your shoulder.

mach71351c · Mar 19, 2012

Eric I bet your welding skills are getting much better than mine. Nice job.

luxstang · Mar 20, 2012

Nice work there guys. Respect.

With those tasks on hand, I woulda been scared *&%less!

I only replaced the headlight switch because I was getting the "now you see it, now you don't" treatment at night.

Gotta convert to relays sooner or later, that will take care of that once and for all.

Oh, and Jeff, I see you got your rims. Looking forward to the end result.

Speaking of rims: I had to find out Saturday that 18 inch rims and curbs don't really go together. Damaged my passenger side front rim, getting too close when parking. It's not bent or anything just badly scratched. BUMMER!

:-(

jeremycfr · Mar 20, 2012

Today I have done nothing to my car, but over the past week I painted most of the frame (inside and out) and the engine compartment. I kept trying to get all of the sanding finished, panels replaced, etc. before moving forward. The car was "re-rusting" faster than I could move on it and so I decided to clean and paint what I had finished. This is not the final coat I put on the car, but it is close enough for everyone to get the idea.