Is this frame toast?

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VertibleFish

VertibleFish

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So I found these lovelies on both frame rails at the shock towers:
(driver's side frame rail side toward engine)
994566_10200487238399822_2054700181_n.jpg

(passenger side top of frame rail at shock tower)
1003354_10200487238679829_108526831_n.jpg


The frame has already been patched at the firewall (driver's side), so should I plan a complete frame rail replacement? I have located a complete frame rail and inner fenders from a Valiant that's in much better shape than mine. How difficult is this swap for a novice or should I contact a professional? Thanks!
 
few pieces of duct tape and you will be good to go....
 
It is a common issue. Sectioned in a piece on the drivers side of mine when I first got the car back in 83. Last go around I replaced both front rails for a cleaner repair.
 
OK, thanks, that's pretty much what I was thinking. Any pointers on cutting (clipping) the old frame out of my vert? What's the best way to separate the welds?
 
VertibleFish said:
OK, thanks, that's pretty much what I was thinking. Any pointers on cutting (clipping) the old frame out of my vert? What's the best way to separate the welds?
Click to expand...

yes get a spot weld cutter and cut thru all the "outside" sheetmetal so when you weld it all back together the new welds are on the outside and original spotwelds on the inside.

i'll get pics from work but i just had to do this (clip) on the M code as the repo peices for that dont fit at all, the shock tower praces is about an 1" off!

dont forget to use the original rad support as it has the vin numbers on it as yours was a 69 right?
 
I replaced my drivers side pm me and I'll send you pics, if u have never done it its not easy and time consuming
 
Started on Friday . Customer drove it home on Monday. The easiest way is do the front clip complete. using a empty k member to keep it square. and the alignment holes to put it where it goes.
 

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If you look close at my duster there is evidence that it too was clipped . Not once but twice due to being hit hard twice. It has a 68 dart front clip on it now. Look close and you can see where it was cut for the turn signal pigtails. and also the grille suport studs are still in the rad suport next to the aluminum rad mount..
 

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This is me at 21, I am now 58. I have been doing Dusters and Demons a long time
 

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you just need this
 

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I'd definitely check the whole frame, front and rear for more.
 
cudajim said:
I'd just junk it.
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I wouldn't junk it people do this every day, I would rather do a frame any day as a quarter panel, been there and done that, just take all your measurements before you start and its a piece of pie:cheers:
 
Wow - So many opinions to replace the entire rail is surprising to me. I would not do that. I would "piece meal" that repair by cutting out the sections needing repair one section at a time until the subframe is repaired. That way the subframe is where it is supposed to be, the majority of factory welds are still in place, and your repair is sound. I'd rust proof the subframe interior at every opportunity during that repair. That's my strong opinion FWIW.
 
Oldmanmopar said:
Started on Friday . Customer drove it home on Monday. The easiest way is do the front clip complete. using a empty k member to keep it square. and the alignment holes to put it where it goes.
Click to expand...

That is the worst rot I have ever seen in an mopar unless it sit in a junkyard for 20 years.
 
I bought a spot weld drill bit tonight (HF special) and tested it out in about 10 spots. Worked pretty decently and some of the sheet metal has already popped apart. I did discover that you can easily go all of the way through both pieces of sheet metal, oops!

Thanks all of the pics, advice and encouragement! Hopefully in a couple of days I'll be able to upload some 'clipped' pics of my vert.
 
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