Hi guys,
I've been a member here for quite a long time now and have owned my LJ for ten years. Due to other commitments i haven't been able to give the time nor find the funds to work on this LJ.
Recently the family basically gave me a ultimatum to either start work on it or sell it....i chose to sell as dad lost all my tags and i thought "why spend money and time building something i cant register and enjoy on the road". After some research and phone calls i found out i would be able to still register the vehicle in NSW so decided its time to fix this car up.
Having sat with a car cover on it for the last ten years has taken its toll on the car in certain areas (floors, dash). From the b pillars back the car is in amazing condition really, very little to no bog in the car, panels are straight, minimal dents, minimal rust (usual spots such as around rear window, spare wheel well, etc), panel gaps are good. Keeping in mind i have not been able to get under the car yet to inspect the chassis rails in the rear, i can only assume they are in as decent condition as the parts of the car that have survived the elements.
Unfortunately the car cover got a hole in it on the passengers side it seems and the dash now has a rust hole in it and the passengers floor pan seems to have significant rust in it which continues up to the inner sill section??, you'll see what i mean in the photos below. The drivers front floor pan also has a large rust hole due to a dodgy repair by previous owner, haven't yet cut much out to inspect chassis rail.
Anyway the main point of the thread, the chassis rail on the passengers side has quite a bit of rust damage to the top section of it. The bottom section seems to still have strength, now its only this floor pan area that is damaged, the firewall sections are clean. Is this sort of repair worth the money to have done? I've been checking prices on cars in reasonable condition and most seem to go for anywhere from $5000 - $10,000, and im quite sure if most of them were blasted they'd have some nasties hiding, so for me its a case of work with what i know or buy someone elses headache.
Aside from the floor issue the drivers A pillar needs replacing (have left a deposit on replacement pillar, cowl and dash already), and being the rear end is in such good condition i feel, even though it will cost me a bit, the cars not an impossible task. Is it worth me chasing some chassis rails from someone? are they better to be replaced as a whole or can i have sections repaired safely??
I have approached a few people regarding the repairs, one shop who offers blasting close to me said they also do rust repairs. They will blast behind the sills and in every crevice they can get access to, they will repair all rust and use rust converter everywhere possible also, and they will get every body line and panel gap the same. I'm already planning on buying replacement guards, nose cone, radiator support and front valance. I'll also be looking at replacement sills.
Sorry for the essay but i really wanted to give you the best idea of what im dealing with. I am willing to work my ass off and spend what needs to be spent to get this car to the level i want. If i could get a registerable shell in better condition for a good price that was registerable in NSW i would definitely buy it, but at this stage it looks like ill have to work with what i've got.
This shop will undergo mini tubbing also as well as chassis strengthening if i choose to slap an 8 in this thing, so i am leaning towards them to do my work.
BOOT:
DRIVERS FLOOR/A PILLAR:
REAR FLOOR:
PASSENGERS FLOOR/CHASSIS RAIL:
CAR AS IT SITS CURRENTLY:
Thanks for reading
Dean
