Rusty 82 40 (1 Viewer)

[AdamKFarmer]

Guys-
Finally got all the rust documented on my '82 40. Was curious about your thoughts? I have 0 welding experience but is this something I could do myself? Aftermarket parts easily available? I didn't rhino-line it, or fiberglass it, all from the PO.

http://flic.kr/s/aHsjE2mA28

 

[coinoperated40]

Welcome to the 82 owners club of rusty (metal).
It doesn't look in bad shape, probably cause everything is in hiding.
Parts are available for most things and switching out as opposed to repairing has to do with time and money. I had help on major body work from a small time auto body guy and put most of mine back together. It spent 5 years in his shop. Most people thought it was his.
You could probably learn to weld enough to do simple things, but nothing to put you in danger. Take a class, or buy an inexpensive but good welder and read or find a friend who likes beer or money.
What are your plans for it?
Sounds like you may want to completely restore it.
Keep posting about it. I keep up with that year model.
Does it have power steering and/or AC?
Shane

 

[AdamKFarmer]

Welcome to the 82 owners club of rusty (metal).
It doesn't look in bad shape, probably cause everything is in hiding.
Parts are available for most things and switching out as opposed to repairing has to do with time and money. I had help on major body work from a small time auto body guy and put most of mine back together. It spent 5 years in his shop. Most people thought it was his.
You could probably lhttps://forum.ih8mud.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=8330903earn to weld enough to do simple things, but nothing to put you in danger. Take a class, or buy an inexpensive but good welder and read or find a friend who likes beer or money.
What are your plans for it?
Sounds like you may want to completely restore it.
Keep posting about it. I keep up with that year model.
Does it have power steering and/or AC?
Shane

Thanks Shane, I've sent quote requests out to some shops to test the waters of the repair, or just replacing the tub. I have posted quite a bit, but mostly small things.
Dome light re-wiring - https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/680247-dome-light-s.html
Mystery wires - https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/690875-82-40-wiring-s.html
Aux fuse block/ speakers - https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/653522-bose-151s-no-sound.html
Distributor Replacement - https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/654843-dizzy-condition-help.html
Rear Heater ?s - https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/633859-rear-heater-blues.html
Valve Adjustment - https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/632218-just-adjusted-valves-how-does-she-sound.html


That's about it really, I love the '82 as well. I completely resmogged it and also reinstalled the rear heater and went back to OEM wheels. I installed OEM PS somewhere in there as well. I replaced the alternator just a few weeks ago and she purrs like a kitten these days.

 

[cjgoode]

Looks like someone at one point restored it by just painting over all the rust. Nice shinny paint over rust holes is a scary sign. Who knows what all is hiding under that paint and bed liner.

 

[bikersmurf]

Learn to weld, I wish I had that much to start with when I started.

Good luck.

 

[coinoperated40]

You need to get beneath the green to see whats really going on before you know weather to fix or replace,IMHO..
Better if you can post pictures on this page rather than flicker. Again just an opinion.
Sounds like you want to drive it for awhile before any major work.
Shane

 

[AdamKFarmer]

You need to get beneath the green to see whats really going on before you know weather to fix or replace,IMHO..
Better if you can post pictures on this page rather than flicker. Again just an opinion.
Sounds like you want to drive it for awhile before any major work.
Shane[/QUOTE


Yeah, you are correct. I figured all that would happen when I dig into the rust. Not looking forward to it. I do want to drive it a bit, it's sound enough for me to enjoy.

 

[AdamKFarmer]

I was thinking about just replacing the tub, but that seems like a lot of work for something that can just be patched.

 

[subzali]

Hey Adam, my memory is a little fuzzy from when you showed me your rig, but I'll look at your pics again to refresh. I assume you've been talking to Marco about the full replacement tub approach.

I would recommend waiting until next winter at the very least before tearing into it. You don't want to miss out on this summer's driving opportunities!

In the mean time, see these threads for what can be done body-on-vehicle:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-tec...1-bj42-i-have-bring-home-pass-inspection.html

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/235482-bumps-my-78-s-rear-tub-fenders.html

I would also learn as much as I could about what is correct. Small things like fender lips, roll bar supports, factory ribbing, captured nuts, things like that. So if you do the repair or pay someone to do it you can be sure it was done right.

You will save a lot of money by buying a welder and doing the work yourself. For example, you could start on the taillight housing and fill in the pinholes, then work out to more visible areas. Along the way you will learn proper techniques for doing different things.

 

[subzali]

That bedliner is going to make things interesting/difficult. IMO you have a lot of life left in that tub. Just need to fix some of the dumb things the PO did. Another good welding learning project would be fixing up the front of your frame rail.

 

[shelfboy1]

once you dig into that i dont think you will like what you find .i would drive it until it needs repaired to be safe and fix it then .finding a tub or parts are always cheaper when you dont need the stuff then when the time comes you will have the parts.judging from all the bubbling under the bedliner i bet the rust was sanded and covered up .my concern on those years are always the frame look it over careful and good luck

 

[AdamKFarmer]

Thanks Matt and shelfboy1!

Yeah, I'll keep my eyes peeled for a good deal on a quality welder and such. I think right now I'm going to start stripping that bed liner and see what's underthere. I most likely won't do anything until after the summer. There is some quality wheelin I don't want to miss.

 

[Chamba]

The frame does not look too bad, nor do the doors, roof sides or hood from the pics. If it were me, I'd focus on preserving the good before you worry about cutting and welding. It looks like a great platform and is not too rusty for a Colorado rig.

The hard bit to repair for any but the most-skilled fabricator will be the metal between the floor and the door sills. Is the cowl in good shape? If it were me, I'd decide between a pilgrim metal repro tub (much better resale, but still prone to rust without propper care) or a cheaper Aqualu tub (fantastic build quality and will never, ever rust, even in Colorado) and then put my freshly-preserved parts on that, stripping, prepping and painting the frame while the tub is off.

82 is a great year: 81-84 is the pinnacle in cruiser evolution in my opinion. I think that rig is very worth preserving and hanging on to.

 

[AdamKFarmer]

Thanks for the great advice guys. Does anyone have any suggestions for removing this bedliner?

 

[AdamKFarmer]

Started removing the bedliner. Looks like it shouldn't be impossible. Very thick and poorly applied. Looks like I may be able to patch the floor. Need the wheel wells though. What do you guy's think?

 

[Michael Hanson]

Id say there is lots more you can't see. Id learn to work on it your self and you'll enjoy it. Mike

 

[coinoperated40]

See what anyone says about using a heat gun on the liner. May get the big stuff off faster. Just a thought. I use it on paint most the time.

 

[AdamKFarmer]

See what anyone says about using a heat gun on the liner. May get the big stuff off faster. Just a thought. I use it on paint most the time.

Those pictures are only after an hour of work! Very crappy work from the PO, par for the course. I think the heat gun will be perfect for the smaller areas.

 

[Michael Hanson]

Id sand blast. Mike

 

[AdamKFarmer]

Id sand blast. Mike

It's so thick Id imagine it would bounce right off. I'm thinking to strip all this off and then send the tub to get soda blasted and primed, and then make the patches.