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I took my wagon over to a frame repair place recommended by my alignment shop; the car has stress cracks in the front fenderwells, and the frame rail on the passenger side looks like a previous owner ran over a jagged rock; a three foot section is torn open on the bottom of the rail. The rear passenger footwell is also rusted out (water under the floormat)
The shop owner kind of freaked out, said it was going to cost thousands of dollars, strongly recommended scrapping the car etc. because the cost of repairs would exceed the value of the car etc.
I was really bummed out by his advice for a day or so, especially since the car drives so well now. The alignment shop even gave it a clean bill of health, saying the frame was straight and well within factory specs. The undamaged part of the frame rail still looks strong.
Eventually I started getting kind of pissed off by what the frame repair guy said, and now I'm thinking it's time I learn how to weld, and just fix the thing myself. I have access to a bending brake and metal shear at my workplace, and I've done a fair amount of fabricating with them. I'm thinking I could just aggressively de-rust the existing rail section, clad over the top of it with some new 16ga sections, and rustproof the hell out of everything when I'm done.
I don't care about the car being perfect and original (that's what my sedan is for), I just want to be able drive it every day until I die, or until I can't get gasoline to put in it anymore. I don't want to get rid of this car...period.
Am I crazy to be thinking this way?
If I was to get a welding outfit, what type should I get?; I'm thinking one of the Mig types might be a good choice, any opinions?
Bill
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