How much money to repair rust?

[wingman]

Between the new engine, trans, tires, radiator, etc. I have over 5 grand into my truck not counting the intial price. It runs and drives great now the only problem is that a lot of the stuff under the trucked is rusted. I didnt know rocker boxes existed until i saw pics here. It is going to need new rockers, rocker boxes, passenger floor, and probably windshield frame repair. The outside of the body isnt bad. I am jsut wondering how much it usally costs to do all that, the problem is i dont have a welder and a good sawzall, so that would be extra cost too. Just looking for a ball park how much time and money it usally costs to do all that ( i guess it involves pulling the whole body off etc ). I am just worried that I am in over my head and I am already low on cash as a broke college student, and if I descided to sell it how much of that money could i get back out of it. Thanks for your time people.

[bouncytruck]

Probably your best bet is sto buy a welder and learn to weld. Some vo-tech schools do body work (or at least they used to) for fairly cheap, but it takes them a long time and you'll have students working on your vehicle so you may not get the desired end result.

[bpmcgee]

Wingman,

In my search, I found that most body shops aren't interested in doing rust repair -- they want to do accident damage only. Therefore, if you find a place, it will be pretty expensive.

I got lucky and found someone who's really capable and enjoys the work!

Brian

[pound41]

You would be suprised how many good welders you can fined who have their own trucks and will come to you. I know a couple of friends who did chop top mercs they prefabbed everything and a welder came to them. I am in the process of doing the floor and rocker boxes without the benefit of a garage. The way I am doing is. I do have the proper tools and some welding skills. My time is limited each time I work. So I have a flanger which is and air tool that makes a 1/2 inch flange on metal. I am cutting out the metal and flanging it. I am screwing the pieces in place with just enough selftapping screws to hold it. Its like a jigsaw puzzle. I will get it all together then In one day either get a welder to come or do it myself. Using the flange lines as where the metal will meet. Disassemble cut the flange lines and weld it back. I have done a few trucks this way because of time and it allowed me to adjust my fits and work with them. I am not skilled enough to measure once and cut once. You can do it

[28buick]

You will never find a body shop to repair the rust on these trucks and if you did you couldn't afford it. Buy a name brand mig welder with gas and in no time you will be able to weld sheet metal. When I started redoing my 72 I couldn't get anyone to touch it. Bought a 115 volt miller, a grinder for surface prep and a decent jig saw for cutting sheet metal. I practiced for a week then replaced floors, rockers, fixed doors, tailgate, firewall repairs and replaced my windsheild frame. Total cost for parts and welder under 2 grand. When your done with the truck you still have the welder and tools. Don't be afraid to try.

[wingman]

On the topic of a welder ive been looking at them but i cant descide between the licoln135, lincoln 135+, or the hobart handler 140, or the clarke 130en. They all look good and pretty close is specs, should i just go with the cheapest one or what?