And with the - "look what I found" - add another 2-3k.
Labor costs to replace frame?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: West Orange New Jersey
Labor costs to replace frame?
Gonna start to restore my 79' this spring. Car is special since it was bought new by my family in 79. I used it as a daily driver for about 8 years in NJs worst weather. Can anyone give me a rough idea what a labor fee would be to swap the frame with a new one? I'm hoping the current frame is in good shape as I have yet to look at it in storage, but I want a worse case scenerio.
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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A frame off on a 79 if you outsource the labor will cost you more than the car is worth. I realize it has sentimental value to you but I would recommend taking a good look at the existing frame and if it appears OK just do a frame on, paint and general refurbish. Good luck.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Your looking at about 5K for a new frame. To lift and drop the body, someone will probably charge about 2500 - 3K. Than you'll probably want to rebuild the suspension while your at it wheich is probably another 4-5K for a complete front and rear rebuild. I'd say anywhere between 11K-13K.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Whats up Fastback79.
I'm a town over from you and just pulled the frame off of my 68 convertible. Its not easy and paying someone to do the transition will cost you more than what the car is worth, unfortunately.
I'm thinking your frame should be ok. If you drove it as a daily driver, like I did my 74, then the road grime and engine oil probably preserved the frame and prevented rust. If there was rust before you put it into storage then you might have a problem. BUT you can find cheap frames on ebay or at other corvette graveyards. If money is an issue then you might want to do this yourself. You will find tons of info on here about doing a frame off or just lifting the body. I can lend you a hand too if needed.
BUT definitely check out the frame, do the rust test on the body mount areas and birdcage, bang the frame with a large metal hammer and look for large rust flakes to fall. Then make a plan of attack.
I'm a town over from you and just pulled the frame off of my 68 convertible. Its not easy and paying someone to do the transition will cost you more than what the car is worth, unfortunately.
I'm thinking your frame should be ok. If you drove it as a daily driver, like I did my 74, then the road grime and engine oil probably preserved the frame and prevented rust. If there was rust before you put it into storage then you might have a problem. BUT you can find cheap frames on ebay or at other corvette graveyards. If money is an issue then you might want to do this yourself. You will find tons of info on here about doing a frame off or just lifting the body. I can lend you a hand too if needed.
BUT definitely check out the frame, do the rust test on the body mount areas and birdcage, bang the frame with a large metal hammer and look for large rust flakes to fall. Then make a plan of attack.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
I would say $13k is worst case scenario, though. Probably won't cost that much, but it could. The front suspension rebuild wouldn't cost all that much, if you're only replacing the bushings and reusing the parts. Especially with the body off.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 86
From: Rotonda FL
I too used my 77 during Chicago winters because it had the best traction of any of my cars. When I got to Florida I began another refurbishment and discovered what salt will do to Corvette frames. All of my problems were in the crossmember just behind the doors. The gussets which triangulate the side rails and the crossmember collect slush and the areas just above this gusset rusted complete through. I suggest that you probe HARD in these areas. If the metal is OK, you are probably good for now. I wound up replacing my frame myself. I haven't kept track of costs (its a hobby) but there is never enough money.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
There ya go....follow this one and bid if your frame is no good....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/74-75...38310127QQrdZ1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/74-75...38310127QQrdZ1
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: West Orange New Jersey
[QUOTE]
Thanks for the offer and advice. Fortunately the frame always had a good amount of grime on it. I will have to get it out of storage and up on a lift to inspect. BTW- I am suprised I have not seen you at any local cruise nights or shows. I usually take out my red 73' to area shows.
Originally Posted by 68 NJConv 454
Whats up Fastback79.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
The good news on 79 frames is that since there were more than 50,000 Vettes produced that year frames are plentiful. You can find one in good condition for ~$500.00.
If you have a space to work, preferably with a high ceiling and a strong beam across it, you can lift the body yourself. You'll learn a lot, save a bunch of $ (as well as spend a bunch) and have plenty of stories to tell to your grandkids.
Rick B.
If you have a space to work, preferably with a high ceiling and a strong beam across it, you can lift the body yourself. You'll learn a lot, save a bunch of $ (as well as spend a bunch) and have plenty of stories to tell to your grandkids.
Rick B.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
[QUOTE=fastback79]
Don't really hear much about local cruise-in's. Where do they usually happen? I drove my white 74 around town and down at college the last 7 years but parked it a year ago when I got my 68 that I have been restoring. Unfortunately the 74 is no longer insured so I can't have fun with it but I have had the itch all summer.
E-mail me when you hear of some get togethers. I usually find myself driving to Englishtown or towns around my college for some car shows.
Thanks for the offer and advice. Fortunately the frame always had a good amount of grime on it. I will have to get it out of storage and up on a lift to inspect. BTW- I am suprised I have not seen you at any local cruise nights or shows. I usually take out my red 73' to area shows.
E-mail me when you hear of some get togethers. I usually find myself driving to Englishtown or towns around my college for some car shows.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
I was quoted 10K for complete frame rebuild and replacement. This includes, sandblasting and painting frame, rebuild suspension and rearend, rebuild brakes and new lines, clean bottom of body and replace. All frame and birdcage repairs are extra. I said yes. The shop is on the east coast and I am in Chicago, but it was still worth it.
Email me if you would like the name of the shop.
MXG3@aol.com
Email me if you would like the name of the shop.
MXG3@aol.com
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,186
Likes: 45
From: detroit area
i spent about 10-12gs plus 5 gs for the car.... did a frame on restore... only thing i didnt do was replace all the body mounts or the brake lines and fuse panel..... but i did my custom
if you can pull the body it will make life alot easier
if you can pull the body it will make life alot easier
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: West Orange New Jersey
Thanks all for the estimates. $12G seems to be the consensus. A small price to pay when you see the costs that sports cars go for today. Low thirties for anything decent. Besided a C3 will still get more looks when sitting next to a Z06.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
Originally Posted by 68 NJConv 454
There ya go....follow this one and bid if your frame is no good....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/74-75...38310127QQrdZ1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/74-75...38310127QQrdZ1
