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Restoration advice - Please!

Started by _Eagle75au_ , Mar 07 2018 08:04 PM

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11 replies to this topic

#1 _Eagle75au_

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Posted 07 March 2018 - 08:04 PM

Hey all,

So I have a predicament... I have an LH sedan body with rust in SIlls (both sides require new outers), RHR floor, boot wheel well and battery tray (and part of the rail under the tray) plus few other small pieces. I also have a full rust free UC sedan body.

Im after advice on whether i should cut up the UC to replace the parts on the LH OR walk the front off the LH (and other LH noticable pieces) and add it to the UC avoiding most of the rust repair plus ...gaining trans tunnel with hand brake, mounting points for bucket seats and the UC rear end. I will also be using the UC front end on the LH.

Of course I would want to utilise the LH tags, so im not sure if using the UC cab would prevent registration down the track.

I would appreciate some feedback, ideas or maybe info from someone who has been down this path.

Cheers.

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#2 Ice

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Posted 07 March 2018 - 08:27 PM

Cut the UC up its worthless ( puts flame suit on )

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#3 Bigfella237

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Posted 07 March 2018 - 08:40 PM

G'day mate, welcome to the forum!

I saw the photo in your other thread, that looks like a very clean body compared to some I've seen fixed, I would definitely be using that LH body and maybe just some donor panels from the UC shell.

Also it's illegal to transfer the LH compliance plate and chassis number to the UC body. If the UC has it's own chassis number stamped then technically that's the one you have to use.

Plus there are quite a few subtle differences between the two shells (beside the obvious front end and rear tail lights, and anyone with half a clue about Toranas will spot the re-shell immediately, might affect your resale value too if it's an SL/R or similar?

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#4 _Eagle75au_

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Posted 07 March 2018 - 08:56 PM

might affect your resale value too if it's an SL/R or similar?

Not an SLR no, just a original 6cyl SL. As it is my 1st ide probably never sell it but ya never know!

I agree with you fully, i think the car is great, I guess im probably just listening to the wrong people.

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#5 Bigfella237

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Posted 07 March 2018 - 09:29 PM

Obviously it's hard to say from just that one photo, I guess it also depends a lot on your skill with a MIG and/or TIG, or whether you're planning on paying someone to do the work for you?

If you have the gear and know how to use it (or at least someone to teach you), replacing a sill panel might cost you $30 in gas & wire, whereas a panel shop would probably charge $500+

There's nothing particularly hard about most rust repairs, it's mostly just make sure the section is aligned with the rest of the panel before you start welding, then weld in such a way as not to warp everything. If the section goes in nice there is very little panel beating to be done, but if it's not straight or buckled from the heat then it will be an ongoing nightmare trying to make it look right.

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#6 purrlx

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Posted 08 March 2018 - 06:23 AM

As above stick with the LH body. All those bits are available as parts from rare spares for replacement. Or if budget tight cut the UC up.

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#7 _Eagle75au_

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Posted 08 March 2018 - 07:45 PM

Cut up the UC it is!! Thanks for the feedback!

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#8 Statler

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Posted 09 March 2018 - 08:27 PM

Now it's a PC. lol

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#9 Shiney005

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Posted 09 March 2018 - 10:41 PM

Put the uncut parcel shelf on ebay. Someone will pay good coin for it.

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#10 Bigfella237

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Posted 10 March 2018 - 08:22 AM

Looks like you're missing the best part of a UC, the K-member and front suspension.

If you have it, I would definitely be using that instead of the LH front suspension.

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#11 Shiney005

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Posted 10 March 2018 - 09:55 AM

What is the difference between the UC and LX cross member Andrew?

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#12 Bigfella237

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Posted 10 March 2018 - 10:19 AM

Mostly just the position of the UCA pivot holes and the steering rack mounting on the K-member itself, although these can always be modified on the earlier K-member.

And of course the UCAs have the offset ball joints and the LCAs are lighter than the LH ones.

EDIT: Plus the UC steering rack is a lower ratio which helps with wide front wheels.

Edited by Bigfella237, 10 March 2018 - 10:22 AM.