Mason Moran
Well-Known Member
I got a 73 duster recently that was going to be my project. I guess I fucked up and failed to see the cracks in the frame. Is this cheaply fixable, like within $1000 or should I start looking for ways to lose this car?
Think I'm screwed
- Thread starter Mason Moran
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The torsion bar crossmember commonly rusts out. It is not a terribly difficult repair, but it is easier with the floor section out that normally need to be done with it. Look at the rest of the frame rails. If they are OK, this is no biggie, depending on your tools and skill. Also look at the inner rockers where this attaches.
Mason Moran
Well-Known Member
Oh thank God. I recently located a 73 dart swinger parts car at a pull and pay. Would a suitable replacement be on it? And maybe even useable floorboards?
Honestly, you may get usable parts off another car, but these are parts that commonly need repair. AMD and others sell replacements.
mopar head
DoD nuisance Alien/Squatch extermination team
Ya gotta get under and look. When buying and parts picking
Look under it and see if it is rotted out like yours. If not fire up the battery powered sawsall.
Edit
Strip all the good Parts off of it that you possibly can. You can buy them from that you pull it cheaper than you can buy them from a Mopar person. In most cases at is.
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I would not call that an "easy" repair. That is a fairly major project. That crossmemember is IMPORTANT and is a major structural piece of the unibody and the front suspension.
By the way, I don't care, but some on here may not appreciate your rather colorful thread title
By the way, I don't care, but some on here may not appreciate your rather colorful thread title
Ah, one of my favorite words lol!
You're not screwed. lol floor board, cross member and rockers and a bit of work.
keeping things square when welding in the pieces is the big issue.
after you get it square and welded up, I would add some frame connectors to strengthen and keep the chassis square.
keeping things square when welding in the pieces is the big issue.
after you get it square and welded up, I would add some frame connectors to strengthen and keep the chassis square.
Dartfreak75
Restore it, Dont part it!
You can fix it with a welder and some wire. I wouldnt cut it out of another car just buy the parts and start new. You could buy the dart and fix it up and have two cars instead of taking two to make one. These cars are not repopulating once there gone there gone forever. Every one that gets parted out to save another is 2 less cars for someone to fix. That's just the way I look at it. Plus if I was doing that kinda project I would want to start with new metal and not risk cutting out a second rusty one.
I agree with Del. It's not a simple job. It's certainly repairable, but it's not a simple job. Not unless you've been in the body work business and have done a lot of them. If you have not, then no, it's not easy.
Now is the time to take a complete thorough inspection of the complete car. Then make a decision on weather to continue. Frame rails, torque boxes, Floor pans, cowl, etc.
Without knowing anything else about what you're working with (tools, shop, equipment) or your skills, my easy answer is no.
A welder and some wire? That's it? Damn, I wish I would have known that when I started on mine. Could have saved myself a lot of money. Lol
Princess Valiant
A.K.A. Rainy Day Auto
If the 73 swinger is clean then buy that car and build it.
ChargedDart75
Well-Known Member
It looks like there's some holes above the crossmember too. It can be fixed, but I've got a feeling there's some more to be fixed as well.
Yeah, how often is the torsion bar crossmember rusted slap through and the floor pans and rocker panels are fine?
Dartfreak75
Restore it, Dont part it!
Well yes but a welder is a must have there are gonna be other tools needed too of course
ChargedDart75
Well-Known Member
Along with a ton of patience and time lol
Dartfreak75
Restore it, Dont part it!
Yes for sure
Mason Moran
Well-Known Member
Hey, uh what is everyone's opinion on doing rivoted floorboards. I saw a video on it and honestly, I'm making ends meet and trying to have a fun car right now so I'm building thinking short term. When/if I get a good job out of college I'll fix it later more permanently, but could robot floorboards last me a few years?
I'm just cranking you, but you know that. Hundreds if not thousands of dollars more stuff. That's why I said my easy answer is no to his $1,000 budget.
Princess Valiant
A.K.A. Rainy Day Auto
You have more issues than floorboards. Floors are one thing but you have structural damage that if not fixed right could be the difference between life and death.
Floor sections can be riveted or bolted in, glued in, whatever but that torsion bar cross member needs to be done right or not at all.
Mason Moran
Well-Known Member
I plan on replacing that for sure yeah. Thank
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