Wreck Or Weld?

[Jack Meoff]

Since this is the first warm day we've had in T.O.
I've finally been able to go over this Diplomat and have discovered that my passenger side frame rail is dust. (doesn't exist).
It's not even touching the floor pan anymore.
There's nothing left of the rail to touch it.
So... The question is..
Is rebuilding this rail even possible or is the car toast.
Rockers look iffy too and the dog leg at the rear door looks to be a work of bondo art sculpture.

Save it or scrap it.
Weld it or wreck it?

 

[bremereric]

Save and Weld it. Check those autorust guys and see if they have any offerings. Some rockers for F-bodies are on eggbay now.

 

[Dr Lebaron]

I always look at the front frame before buying. I've walked away from a lot.

Unless you have a welder, it's toast IMHO.
If you have a welder, I know of minty frames to cut out. Cut some F/A rockers and weld them in.

 

[Jack Meoff]

Yeah. I'm leaning towards saving it. That's not a bad idea of cutting what I need out of a donor. And Doc.. I ALWAYS check the rails, etc. but this one was mashed in a garage and I couldn't get under it.
I rolled the dice.
Guess I lost....
For now....
To be continued.
Thanks Eric and Doc.

 

[Dr Lebaron]

Well, since 88's and 89's are scrap, metal is easy to find.

 

[Jack Meoff]

Well.. So far the plan is save the pig.
Gonna get some prices on donor metal from my local boneyard tomorrow.

 

[Jack Meoff]

Save and Weld it. Check those autorust guys and see if they have any offerings. Some rockers for F-bodies are on eggbay now.

Thanks Eric.
I heard that the auto rust stuff is just caps that go over the existing rails.
Unfortunately my passenger rail doesn't exist anymore.
Figure I'm looking at chopping the whole section out of a donor.
I THINK I've got a guy who can weld it all in.
Rockers I can just fab.
This definitely ain't gonna be no show car.

There's always something! :eusa_wall:

 

[Jack Meoff]

Just curious.
Anybody out there ever done this Frankenstein operation?

 

[Dr Lebaron]

Yep. I've welded them.

 

[Jack Meoff]

Yep. I've welded them.

How'd it go?
Tips, hints, pics?
This is new territory for me.
Keep in mind. This appears to be more replace than repair.
Thanks.

 

[Dr Lebaron]

Get a doner car. Cut, grind the rust, then chop out what you need.
Cut that floor section out too.

The Hemi Shop in London has all the tin you need.

But unless you have a welder, or a very good buddy, it's not very cost effective.
Then, you better check all the other stuff too for rot.
I've seen easy repairs turn into nightmares.

Dunno what you have into it so far.

My Medallion was parked in a garage for 10 yrs and I knew the frame was bad. But having another 79 Lebaron, I thought I always could use the parts.
Same car, not a 79, I would have walked away.

 

[Jack Meoff]

Thanks Doc.
Luckily I'm only about $400 in (including the car).
It easily could be Pandora's Dodge. (good thing you didn't buy it eh Doc?)
Gotta give this thing a fine tooth comb, then make a judgement call.
Thanks for the help.

 

[Dr Lebaron]

I might have bought it for the $400 range for the sum of parts.
But once I saw the frame, it would never be on the road again.
I'd rather spend my $ on upgrades than rust.

Except for my Medallion, the rest of the fleet have minty frames.
Helps when they are from TX,FL and CA.
Yet my 88 F/A has super nice frames and it's a life long Ontario car.

 

[Dr Lebaron]

Dunno what the plan whas for the Dip, but for the $400 and the easy $1000 to start for repairs, you could low ball this.
http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-car-for-sale-W0QQAdIdZ361240444

 

[Dr Lebaron]

Then there was this parts cars near you.
http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...8-Dodge-Diplomat-for-Parts-W0QQAdIdZ353885867

 

[Jack Meoff]

I might have bought it for the $400 range for the sum of parts.
But once I saw the frame, it would never be on the road again.
I'd rather spend my $ on upgrades than rust.

Yeah... I think I'm with you on this one Doc.
For what I paid I'm pretty sure I can get my money's worth in parts and I'd rather spend my money and time making my other two mint instead of pouring money into a bucket.
Thanks for posting the ads Doc.

 

[efriedrich]

Personally I would put the money towards a monster motor for the Caravelle. Pick the dippy clean and put her to rest, IMO.

 

[Jack Meoff]

Personally I would put the money towards a monster motor for the Caravelle. Pick that the dippy clean and put her to rest, IMO.

Yeah..
Thought about it overnight and that's the way I'm gonna go.
I've still got lots to do to my Caravelle and my 5th.
I don't need to be dumping money into a car that IMO is too far gone.
Thanks for all the advice guys.
There may be some parts up for grabs after I take what I need.
I'll keep y'all posted.

 

[Jack Meoff]

O.k.
Final decision is she's goin' bye bye.
Gonna pick her clean.
Called my local boneyard and they said they'll give me $300 which is what I paid for it.
Calling it a day.

 

[Jonno]

Too bad but I guess it happens a lot in a damp garage!

I think you made the right call.

Lots of cheap ones out there right now and easy to sink a lot of cash on very little return.