My 74 Mav has major frame problems. I purchased it last year and it turns out the frame is rusted right through in the front end, under the engine (sorry, I am new to this and really have no idea what I am talking about). Anyway, the local frame specialist advised me to take it off the road as it is screwing up my wheel alignment and wearing out the insides of my tires. It is now on blocks in my garage, with 2 flat tires. I love this Maverick and would love to continue driving it so I am trying to figure out various ways to fix this problem. I know reinforcing the frame is a possibility but I was wondering if it is possible to replace the frame with one in better shape and what this would routinely cost in labour. If anyone has any ideas or advice, I would really appreciate it. Thanks. Alex
Alex, the mav frame is not "separate" from the body! Hence the name unibody. Reinforcing the frame is a possibility but the cost in labor would be much higher than purchasing a different car! Strip the parts that have any value and find a different maverick. I've seen some pretty nice four doors for under 2000.00. Good luck! BTW, if the rust is as bad as you indicated the car is probably unsafe!!!!
Grabber coming up for sale... ...he has not definitely decided to let it go, but he is close. It belongs to a friend of mine. He bought it about 3 yrs. ago out of his aunts estate. She was the original owner. He drives it to work to keep the miles off of his truck. It is a '75 Grabber. Light and dark green, original paint scheme and original paint. Never wrecked. I have not seen any rust in it at all, it is an original NC car. It is a bench seat, column shift. 200 cid 6 as I remember. A/T, P/S, A/C with the magnum style wheels with trim rings. It has the halo/half vinyl top. If you are interested, I will find out what he wants for it. I will try to get him to put it on the classifieds section. I would go this route before I would repair a rusty frame. In my opinion there is probably more significant rust that you have not found in your car yet if you have rust in the front of the frame. Seth
I believe frame rails are available to fix Mustangs - perhaps one of them could be used. It does sound like an involved and expensive job. I would guess that the front and rear fender apron would have to be removed as well as the shock tower and portions of the front suspensions and steering. If the rest of the car is that nice and it is a real Grabber - perhaps it's worth the effort - but not sure if it is worth the $$$ if you have to pay someone else to do it and can't do it yourself.
Yeah, I heard it was a unibody and realise that that would make it impossible. I think I'm gonna strip it and sell the parts, most everything else is in excellent shape. There are a couple local grabber's around here that I'm gonna go look at. littleredtoy: That would be great if you could get the info on that car. Only problem is that I live in BC, Canada and would have a hard time getting it back here. I am a college student and have very little time or money. Thanks
Funk... ...yeah, BC is quite a ways from North Carolina. I still believe that if you have rust where you are having the problem, there is more that has not reared its ugly head at this point. Check your trunk areas well, and under the rear quarters and the floorpan areas. Chances are that yours is a salt problem being in the area that you are in. I would bet it is in your trunk and wheelhouse areas and you don't realize it. Unfortunately, one of the things that we tell folks on this board when they do not have the funds or the time to make repairs will not work for you. You can't let severe rust sit until you have the $$, it will only continue to grow. Rust is like a cavity, the longer you wait to have it fixed, the more it costs and the more it hurts. Good Luck- Seth
