2G Is this rust repairable?

[eziomandude]

I have some rust on my passenger strut tower,driver side rear frame rust,and rust in the trunk. I know it's probably better to just buy a new car but this car has sentimental value. If I were to repair it if any of you think it is possible what would be the issues I can foresee? It is a 420a model.

 

[DogWhistle]

You have to remember, with rust, what you can see, is only about 1/2 of what needs replacing. The sentimental part is understandable, but only you can make that call. From the photos, it will take some donor panels to make it happen, and that will involve welding in addition to the bodywork. And unless you change whatever environment led to that rust, you'll keep chasing it every year. There are a couple build threads going right now where they are repairing rusty panels. Check those out and see if you are willing to go to the lengths they have to.

 

[eziomandude]

I'd have no issue getting a donor car to rip apart. Could use it for spare parts and make some money back from selling parts. I tried looking under rusty panels,rust replacement,and rusty panel replacement and couldn't find any threads. Would you mind linking me to a couple?

 

[Clawless]

Before you decide if you'll repair the rust or not, do yourself the favor of meticulously checking the car over. Whenever you find rust, there is always more rust hidden somewhere else. The rust you have is fairly common and I think it's repairable. I have a hole in my trunk and a small rust hole in the rear fender well. My advice is this: Take a day to look over the entire car (frame, under carpets, under fenders, etc.) and make a decision based on that.

 

[Sjd6795]

I get sentimental value but at the same time ripping a donor car apart to fix a car just kind of ruins trying to save the car in the first place. I mean it's almost better instead of spending thousands and hours into fixing the rust to just put that money towards a GST that runs with no rust.

 

[eziomandude]

If the car was already totaled I see no harm in cutting what I need off of it.

 

[Dusty Landrum]

With enough time and money anything is repairable. It does look bad but its becoming common with the age of the cars too. I am currently doing a frame restore myself and I PROMISE you.. from experience, you will only find more rust and spend A LOT of time fixing it. Like everyone has said, if you are seeing it, it's only worse than you think. That does not mean it can't be fixed though. Just need some patience and money.

 

[camocorvette]

Find a mint shell. Swap all your good stuff into it.

To actually repair all that rust... is a ridiculous process. More so then getting another 2g shell with no motor and trans and swapping.

You can probably find a 420A model so swapping harnesses might not even be necessary.

I get sentimental too. But you can carry over all the good stuff from your original car to one that is solid.

Then I recommend rust proofing that car.

 

[TTnelco]

That’s not bad at all man, look at my build thread, I just did a much worse section on my passenger tower. Biggest thing is to make sure your doing measurements before and during and after to make sure the unibody isn’t moving too much. Pm me if u need some help.