I'm in Burlington Ontario and I'm looking for an experienced shop to replace my rear frame rails. I would be getting the kit from Conrad. Yes the body is still on the frame. Please help!!
Looking for a shop to replace rear frame rails
- Thread starter SuperCutlassGT406
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I know that Conrad used to install the frame repair rails himself, but I think he's given up, based on his age. I don't know of anyone who does the install. Maybe another Ontario member can help. If all else fails, you may have to shop around. Sorry I can't be of more help.
Yes I spoke to him about it he doesn't do them anymore. I asked if he knew anyone who did and he said the was a couple of places but none of them do it anymore either!! For something that everyone seems to have a problem with at one time or another it's hard to believe that no one is doing them anymore...
Most places these days just want to do collision repair, since that's where the money is these days.
Few collision shops will take this on, for several reasons....main ones being time involved to do it right, interruption of normal workflow, and forgive me, this is not aimed at anyone in particular, people with old cars tend to be cheapskates on this kind of stuff. I can't see anyone doing it for less than 5 hrs/"labor units" a side if they're going to do it right. With a door rate of $55/hr frame labor, that's $550. My cut of that as a tech is going to be in the ballpark of $180-$225, depending on how well I negotiated my pay rate. It'll take at least all day to do it, if I know what I'm doing...because remember, I am going to have to stand behind my work, so I'll be setting up and measuring the car, dealing with 30 year old rusty body mounts, lowering the frame ...you DID want it welded on ALL 4 sides, right?, cutting, welding, grinding, priming, painting, and reassembling .
OR
I can install a new bedside on a late model truck for the same hours/money in half a day.
A lot of people in the trade are car guys, but it's a big difference between what it takes to do it casually for yourself or a buddy and making a living at it.
Personally, if I had it to do all over again, I'd hire a bunch of roofing crews and watch the cash roll in. Back when i was a young pup, I worked construction. ALL the roofers drove the most used-up old beater trucks I have ever seen. You always wondered if they would actually show on time or make it back from lunch. Now all I see are 4x4 supercab turbo diesels driven by the foremen and estimators, and late model CCDs by the crews, pulling spendy dump trailers. Our old roofer had a 1953 F600 with an even more decrepit looking dump bed to haul off the debris in....and this was in 1980.
Now, I'm sure there are roofers that ado not fit the above profile....you see, life isn't really as simple as the generally-held opinions about ANY given group of people or trade.
OR
I can install a new bedside on a late model truck for the same hours/money in half a day.
A lot of people in the trade are car guys, but it's a big difference between what it takes to do it casually for yourself or a buddy and making a living at it.
Personally, if I had it to do all over again, I'd hire a bunch of roofing crews and watch the cash roll in. Back when i was a young pup, I worked construction. ALL the roofers drove the most used-up old beater trucks I have ever seen. You always wondered if they would actually show on time or make it back from lunch. Now all I see are 4x4 supercab turbo diesels driven by the foremen and estimators, and late model CCDs by the crews, pulling spendy dump trailers. Our old roofer had a 1953 F600 with an even more decrepit looking dump bed to haul off the debris in....and this was in 1980.
Now, I'm sure there are roofers that ado not fit the above profile....you see, life isn't really as simple as the generally-held opinions about ANY given group of people or trade.
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hello ,
The last time I talked to Conrad ( about 20 months ago ) when I was picking up 2 sets of his frame rails , I asked the same question to him at that time he answered Barrie Frame and he was thinking they were charging about $550 for the install . I never followed up with them.
I just googled vehicle restoration shops in ontario expecting to find shops far outside of the GTA ....I did But also found a place called Howe Motor Works in Burlington...........thinking they are worth a phone call / visit .
Dave
The last time I talked to Conrad ( about 20 months ago ) when I was picking up 2 sets of his frame rails , I asked the same question to him at that time he answered Barrie Frame and he was thinking they were charging about $550 for the install . I never followed up with them.
I just googled vehicle restoration shops in ontario expecting to find shops far outside of the GTA ....I did But also found a place called Howe Motor Works in Burlington...........thinking they are worth a phone call / visit .
Dave
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This is the fundamental problem with taking on a G-body project. Plan to dump a lot of money into the car, and if you bail, consider yourself lucky if you see a 40% return when you try to find an interested buyer. Aedificator Emptor, aka, make your peace with this outcome before you start...
I figured it's between a 6-10 hour job going off people I've talked too and Conrad himself. I believe when he used to do the install it was 1000$ including parts or around that so I'm not expecting to be cheap but for that money I want it done right.
I called Howe motor works. They don't do it but they did recommend hi tech collision in their plaza saying that they do do it. So I'll let you all know what comes of that.
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