Caprice Frame

[moliva1568]

can the frame of a 2 door 84 caprice be swapped in place of the frame of my 84 4 door caprice? Mine has rust issues and i don't want to part with the car but i don't have the funds to buy another one right now. the cost of the frame is minimal (<$100). would the cost of swapping everything be worth it or should i just save and wait till i come across a clean 4 door in my price range? I should point out that the work would probably have be done by someone else which will affect my $ spent.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by moliva1568

can the frame of a 2 door 84 caprice be swapped in place of the frame of my 84 4 door caprice? Mine has rust issues and i don't want to part with the car but i don't have the funds to buy another one right now. the cost of the frame is minimal (<$100). would the cost of swapping everything be worth it or should i just save and wait till i come across a clean 4 door in my price range? I should point out that the work would probably have be done by someone else which will affect my $ spent.

this would cost more than the value of this vehicle...

if you did it all ,,, why not , with a back up vehicle to use while this is worked on...

to hire a shop no way ...your wasting your money on a vehicle that has no value or limited further life..

[moliva1568]

it definitiely wouldn't be a "hire a shop" thing. more of a drawn out process that would take place in my driveway done by side mechanics and friends that i know. i'm sure i would try to do what i could by myself. that's the only way to learn. but, there would be some things i would trust myself with and would seek out help.

[MagicRat]

If you get a doner frame, don't swap it all at once. There is a better way.

Swapping a frame all at once is a huge logistical nightmare. You need hoists, lots of BIG jackstands, lots of space, and lot and lots of time. You would have to remove the entire front clip, driveline, suspension, axles, bumpers, body, wiring, fuel system, brake lines etc.

However, I recall the frame rust on your car starts approx. under the drivers seat and goes back, right? It is MUCH easier to have a good welder cut-out the rear two thirds of the existing frame, then cut out the same pieces from the donor frame and weld it (using overlapping plates) to the existing front third of your frame.
This means the front clip, driveline, wiring etc can all stay in place, and would only take a fraction of the work.

I did this on my '68 Thunderbird a few years ago....... it's MUCH easier than pulling off the entire body etc etc.

[moliva1568]

that def sounds a lot easier. now i just have to figure out how i would get it home. side costs like that are what makes me think it's not worth it.
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