Where to start on my sheetmetal replacement?

[01freeman]

I am ready to start on my 70 challenger. It needs rear wheel tubs inner and outer, trunk floor, and both quarters and both rear frame rails. Where should I start. Where do i need to brace it before I cut thing out. I have welding experience and feel somewhat confident, this is my first time. What is the best plan to tackle this. What should be done first to last. how do I align everything. I would love to hear from the experts and see what they suggest so lets hear it. Is this too much for a first time experience. I want to learn and need to start somewhere. I know to get AMD metal thats the plan.

Thanks

 

[moparleo]

First thing to do is to have a place with enough room to work in, and where the car can sit for several months. You will need to fabricate or buy some sort of chassis jig. Get all of the measurements and specs. for your car. Gather up the tools needed, recruit a helper. Always good to have an extra set of hands. If the car is trailorable, you might want to take it to a reputable body/restoration shop in your area and get a fair assessment of what you are realisticaly getting into and than decide which way to go. You might want to get the frame rails and other critical areas professionally installed and finish the easier stuff your self.
Oh and get it media blasted before buying anything for it. Sometimes most of the car disappears if it was really rusty.:eusa_think:

 

[VeteranCosmicRocker]

From what you describe, it sounds like the whole back is rotted away. As Leo mentioned, you might want to consider have a shop with a bench do the rails & floor to ensure correct dimensions. The outer sheetmetal & wheelhouses will do no good going on a platform thats not square. Yeah, you 'can' do it in your garage, but if it's not right, you'll regret it. Good advice as well with the media blasting, too.