Where do you draw the line between repairing and replacing?

[Ryan]

Hey guys.

So I've been going over some things on my car and I am trying to decide when it's appropriate to repair a panel VS. when to replace a panel.

When do you draw the line?


Thanks!

[ChgrSteve67]

Cost and availability

I guess I should also add time it would take to repair or replace.

For some of us where reproduction parts are unavailiable we have to find a replacement and then suffer the additional cost of having it repaired.

Are you worried about taking an origional part off your car and replacing it with a non origional part?

[Ryan]

Car is a 69 charger R/T. 440 4 speed car. It is NOT a numbers resto allthough I do have the matching numbers block sitting in a bag.
I did like the idea of the car having original quarters. However, these quarters keep haunting me because of previous damage and rust repair and now I am thinking they must be replaced.

The drivers side quarter was hit behind the door in an accident. It has been pulled and beat on to all hell. The repaired area is heavy with filler and it likes to shrink back in the sun. So I am thinking the drivers quarter should probably just be replaced.

The passenger quarter is much nicer then the drivers quarter. Much less filler. However it has had the usual rust patches and the bubbles are slowly starting to come back. I'd like the piece of mind of knowing that there are no patches to worry about in the lower quarter. However at the same time I just really don't want to cut into the car but the more I think about it I don't think I have a choice.


So I guess now I need to decide if I get full quarters or partial quarters?

[tan top]

   got any pictures Ryan

[Ryan]

Of the actual issues, no. Of the car.... yes!

[tan top]

Of the actual issues, no. Of the car.... yes!

 
thats a  nice looking car from the pictures ,  looks mean from the rear 

had to say if to replace or not with out actually seeing !!

[ChgrSteve67]

Ah I'm beginnign to see the light.
I though you were talking about pieces or parts like interior pannels or trim pieces.

As far as sheet metal replacement goes (for me) depends on the amount of rust that needs to be cut out. The more patches that need to be applied the more I lean towards replacing the whole pannel. With AMD making really good pannels for the 2nd gens and the rust, pannel repair and paint bubbling issues you mention I would say to replace the pannels.  I think it will cost you less in the long run. Do it right do it once.

Just my 2 cents

BTW Nice ride

[Cooter]

No matter what you do on the quarters, with those tires on the car, you can bet your sweet ass the body work will crack eventually from the stress of hard launches/dead hooks, if not done expertly...Filler doesn't like sticky tires and sub 1.3 60 Ft. times...Being black doens't help the situation either....

[Ryan]

No matter what you do on the quarters, with those tires on the car, you can bet your sweet ass the body work will crack eventually from the stress of hard launches/dead hooks, if not done expertly...Filler doesn't like sticky tires and sub 1.3 60 Ft. times...Being black doens't help the situation either....

No freakin way this thing will ever cut a sub 1.3 60'
Regardless its not a race car by any means and will not be regularly drag raced if ever. I have my Z06 for that kind of stuff.

[Mike DC]

             
I agree with Cooter - you're asking for trouble with those rear tires and an uncaged unibody painted black.  These cars can flex their quarters with regular 7-8" wide tires when you're talking about a 440/4spd. 

If it's still stock underneath, then adding decent subframe connectors and the factory-style torque box plating would be wise. 

   

[Ryan]

I appreciate the advise. The car has sub frame connectors.
My quarters are not flexing, nothing is cracking. Just bad previous repairs that are starting to show.

[elitecustombody]

Are you planning on tearing it all apart or just trying to take care of rear quarter rust and filler issues? I'd remove all filler and see how bad is the damage. I always like to save as much of factory metal as possible, but sometimes it makes no sense when you can just buy new replacement part.You can buy AMD lower patches to fix rust on the bottom, you can also replace skins,but at this point you will need to figure out if you want to pay someone to do all the extra body work to get skins on versus full quarters,for the extra time/money to get skins on, you can have full quarters,

BTW, that is one mean looking Charger you got there

[Ryan]

Probably take it back apart.... at least the trim & glass ect....
The drivers quarter is pretty hammered. I think the pass quarter would be savable with a lower patch but I really like the idea of having a seamless new quarter on the car with no patches ect.

[elitecustombody]

Keep me in  mind if you want to get new AMD quarters,I'll hook you up  

[Ryan]

Keep me in  mind if you want to get new AMD quarters,I'll hook you up  

I indeed will.

If you could send me a quote that would be great.

[elitecustombody]

Where are you located? Going to business or residence?It saves a few bucks if going to a business

[Ryan]

Where are you located? Going to business or residence?It saves a few bucks if going to a business

pm sent !