Things just got slightly more complicated for my Wagon...

[Buford T. JuSStice]

So I was under the wagon the other day fixing the exhaust, when somebody pointed out a good chunk of rot on the frame that I had overlooked previously. On the driver side behind the rear wheel right under where the body attaches to the frame... what a terrible place to happen... it looked pretty bad too, some of the metal was so eaten up it literally just crumbled. 🙁

It's a huge bummer because the rest of the under-body and frame is practically mint. It was treated with some sort of anti-rust compound when the car was new. In fact, I'm not really sure how this area of the frame even managed to get this bad.

I know for most people frame rot is the death of a car, but I love this car too much. Is there a way to patch up frame rot with welding that will last? Does anybody think I might be able to get away with using a stick welder, and some fresh steel plates to reinforce that area after I've thoroughly cleaned it up?

 

[carmangary]

Re: Things just got slightly more complicated for my Wagon..

That's typical. I have the same situation on both sides. There is a guy who makes the back end frame rails to replace that. I'll probably just patch it with metal though if I ever get around to messing with it.

 

[Buford T. JuSStice]

Re: Things just got slightly more complicated for my Wagon..

That's typical. I have the same situation on both sides. There is a guy who makes the back end frame rails to replace that. I'll probably just patch it with metal though if I ever get around to messing with it.

Thanks man, that definitely puts me more at east knowing it's a common thing and there is a solid (no pun intended) solution for it!

If anything, this will at least get me to do a body-off-frame restoration to the car just in case there is more rust between the frame rail and body. That'll at least make installation of the engine, transmission, new suspension, brake systems, wiring and all that ten times easier. Plus, I'll be able to media blast the whole frame and body and give it a proper Rhino coating or something.

 

[jmt455]

Re: Things just got slightly more complicated for my Wagon..

Any good frame/chassis shop can repair that if you don't want to tackle it yourself.

 

[Longroof79]

Re: Things just got slightly more complicated for my Wagon..

Here's the link to Conrad Lozier's site in the event that you decide to use fresh new parts. . http://www3.sympatico.ca/conradlozier/

 

[Bonnewagon]

Re: Things just got slightly more complicated for my Wagon..

It's a pain job, but doable. I looked hard for a solid framed car for years. And yet still when I did the body bushings a huge hole was underneath one, right where yours rotted. I just used a huge washer and welded that in, worked fine. I do agree that raising the body off the frame is the way to go.