frame off would you ever do it again?

[jeremyandthemonte]

Hello everyone thought I would share my story I did a complete frame off on my car which is a 1987 cutlass it went from a bare chassis to a running driving car. Now during the process I learned a frame of resto is a lot to take on and I learned alot from doing it also take in that this is my first car and project other then small repairs on things. Now my question is would you ever do a frame off resto again? Me I would in a heart beat I loved it and you get to know the car inside and out an learn everything from engine swaps to wiring to bodywork

 

[theoldsone]

Me too! You don't get a chance to do as much as you want when the car is on the frame. Every thing is right there when it's off. Control arms, bushings, mounts, exhaust work, brake work, painting, and more. That's why I'm way $$$ knee deep on my swap how could I not every thing is right there. And the concept of removing a body off a car seems a lot harder than what it is, time consuming is all.

 

[Injectedcutty]

Hello everyone thought I would share my story I did a complete frame off on my car which is a 1987 cutlass it went from a bare chassis to a running driving car. Now during the process I learned a frame of resto is a lot to take on and I learned alot from doing it also take in that this is my first car and project other then small repairs on things. Now my question is would you ever do a frame off resto again? Me I would in a heart beat I loved it and you get to know the car inside and out an learn everything from engine swaps to wiring to bodywork View attachment 44124View attachment 44125

For sure i would do it again, i just posted a build thread last night about my 87 cutlass that ive had for 14 yrs, over the past 4 it has had the worx done....not one bolt untouched. Stressful at times but well worth it so far.

 

[pontiacgp]

the first time there is a huge learning curve...and well worth it

 

[-83MONTESS-]

I would love to do it to mine. Last winter I had the body about 8" off the frame to do body mounts but that's the closest I have come. I would love to find a solid frame cheap and slowly start building it. Frame notch, box the rails, add some bracing, run all stainless brake and fuel lines, etc... Then over a winter swap my engine, trans, rear into it along with the body and everything else. All that will be when I get my own place. My dad would kill me if I took up another bay in the garage.

 

[Longroof79]

I would have liked to have done a body off on my car, but being pressed for space, I opted not to.
It would have been nice to thoroughly blast and paint the frame, re-plumb all the steel brake and fuel lines, etc. It would've been the right way to go...oh well, in another life perhaps.
Had I been 20 yrs younger, I probably would have done it in a drop of the hat.
But I've restored two Porsches during those years...so they got all the attention rather than the wagon, which was my daily driver and parts hauler.

 

[pontiacgp]

I would have liked to have done a body off on my car, but being pressed for space, I opted not to.
It would have been nice to thoroughly blast and paint the frame, re-plumb all the steel brake and fuel lines, etc. It would've been the right way to go...oh well, in another life perhaps.
Had I been 20 yrs younger, I probably would have done it in a drop of the hat.
But I've restored two Porsches during those years...so they got all the attention rather than the wagon, which was my daily driver and parts hauler.

One reason I did mine was I had the spot and all the tools, it'll be the first one I did and the last one I'll do.....I guess you could say it was on my bucket list... (where's the smiley sailing off into the sunset?)

 

[84_SS]

After doing mine I think I would do it again but only if I had all the money and such to do it all at once.
Hardest thing for me was the gaps between buying parts and stuff. Coming back to the car 2 weeks later and such I can never remember where I left off or where anything goes lol

 

[oldsofb]

I'm still on my first. I would prob do it again since the second time I think I would know more than the first. Many times I would think "I've bitten off more than I can chew", but you push past the nerves and do it. Then again I'm not done, so maybe I need to reserve an answer until I have it back together.

I will say that if you want to learn a lot, take a car apart like that. I have learned quite a bit doing this. This site has taught me a lot as well.

Hutch

 

[Injectedcutty]

Mine wasn't planned until all 4 trunk body bolts broke when trying to change the bushings out.....had to cut 4 holes in the trunk floor then decided to pull the body and do it right. But now my trunk looks like this.