Body newbie...

[JKCuda]

So, my project is continuing to grow by the minute it seems.

While my powerplant is out I'm considering replacing the rad support as well as the inner fenders and possibly the firewall on my 72 Cuda. The rad support and the driver side inner fender definitely needs replaced, the other inner fender and the firewall I'm not 100% sure yet as I'm in the process of stripping the paint/coating the previous owner laid over top to see what I'm working with.

I've never welded or done any type of metal work, and any type of body work I've done has been limited to bondo patches and some basic fiberglass. Are there any good resources out there for E bodies where I could read up on some info or even some guides to show me what all this process entails? I have a friend who can weld and offered to help, so I have that, but I'm a hands on type guy and would really like to learn and at least do some of the work. This car is a resto-mod so I'm not worried about factory specific yada yada yada, just want a solid shell.

Any tips or links would be much appreciated! I've struggled to find much information other than pictures of others projects.

 

[moparleo]

Good quality welding takes practice. Get some scrap metal of the same gauge and practice a lot.
But if you have a buddy who really knows how to weld, remember that you are dealing with some structural components .
It is best to know when to hand off some work to pros, you can always do more of this stuff as your skill sets improve.
No body was born knowing how to do anything. It always comes with experience.
Just read something that said " Good experience comes with making lots of bad mistakes"

 

[JKCuda]

Good quality welding takes practice. Get some scrap metal of the same gauge and practice a lot.
But if you have a buddy who really knows how to weld, remember that you are dealing with some structural components .
It is best to know when to hand off some work to pros, you can always do more of this stuff as your skill sets improve.
No body was born knowing how to do anything. It always comes with experience.
Just read something that said " Good experience comes with making lots of bad mistakes"

Oh for sure. Don't get me wrong, I'm very much intimidated by this and I've by no means decided whether or not I'm going to actually attempt this or not. This ultimately comes down to...do I have the time to learn, or should I spend the money and have a pro do it. Some of the prices I've heard...I'm terrified to get a quote from a body shop...

 

[FY1TopBanana]

There are vids of AMD metal going on Mopars at their resto shop. Search for AMD Mopar and what part you want to watch go on. There are lots of other metal install and vids besides their's of course too
Eastwood has pinch weld prep, panel punching + plug welding vids
Alignment and working from rear quarters forward on a unibody is worth reading up on gaps and alignment before you get to those forward areas --inner fenders and core support wrt relationship to frame rails and squaring the forward clip

 

[JKCuda]

There are vids of AMD metal going on Mopars at their resto shop. Search for AMD Mopar and what part you want to watch go on. There are lots of other metal install and vids besides their's of course too
Eastwood has pinch weld prep, panel punching + plug welding vids
Alignment and working from rear quarters forward on a unibody is worth reading up on gaps and alignment before you get to those forward areas --inner fenders and core support wrt relationship to frame rails and squaring the forward clip

View attachment 92226

Ok. I'll check those out. I found a couple videos on YouTube so far but nothing super informative. Alignment and such is one of my major concerns. I wish I knew a reputable shop near me but haven't had much luck finding one yet. The car is still drivable, just exploring the option of doing this while the motor is out. If I have to wait then so be it. I'm figuring for 2 inner fenders, rad support, rear quarter, and possibly other patches I'm probably looking at 10k minimum. With prices today that's probably way conservative.

 

[Challenger RTA]

I would think you could get volumes of advice from members. I would say first put it somewhere where it wont have to be moved and support. more on that latter. What do you have? take pictures document and measure also back up info.There is no under hood tram points.When disassembling keep ever scrap of metal. you might have to make one or use it as sacrificial fit. Sacrificial, study what you want to cut and replace first or what you have to replace first.Don't just tear everything apart! DON'T I MEAN DON'T! This can be done with a few hand tools and THINKING.I'll get into more latter. other members can and will comment good bad or ugly. SAFETY FIRST!

 

[Bug Guy]

So, my project is continuing to grow by the minute it seems.

While my powerplant is out I'm considering replacing the rad support as well as the inner fenders and possibly the firewall on my 72 Cuda. The rad support and the driver side inner fender definitely needs replaced, the other inner fender and the firewall I'm not 100% sure yet as I'm in the process of stripping the paint/coating the previous owner laid over top to see what I'm working with.

I've never welded or done any type of metal work, and any type of body work I've done has been limited to bondo patches and some basic fiberglass. Are there any good resources out there for E bodies where I could read up on some info or even some guides to show me what all this process entails? I have a friend who can weld and offered to help, so I have that, but I'm a hands on type guy and would really like to learn and at least do some of the work. This car is a resto-mod so I'm not worried about factory specific yada yada yada, just want a solid shell.

Any tips or links would be much appreciated! I've struggled to find much information other than pictures of others projects.

You tube it you’ll see very thing you want to know for welding to paint work! Good luck but you might try to find a local body and frame guy to give information or help you what you want to do takes a pro if you don’t do it right it will cost you in time and money

 

[Bug Guy]

You tube it you’ll see very thing you want to know for welding to paint work! Good luck but you might try to find a local body and frame guy to give information or help you what you want to do takes a pro if you don’t do it right it will cost you in time and money

Make your own upper body dimension for your radiator support before you get started

 

[JKCuda]

Thanks. My buddy is coming down tomorrow to see what I've got cookin and I have a body guy coming next week to take a look and give me a rough quote...we'll go from there!