Body Repair Suggestions (NJ)

[WarWagon52]

Recently acquired a '79 Cherokee. Last owner had it for 18 years and lost interest in it, but had done quite a bit of panel replacement. Typical stuff like rockers, floors, doors, lower quarters, etc. are done. Most of the remaining damage (or rot) is around the tailgate and rear tail lights. New to this and don't see anyone that carries anything for those body areas. Will I probably need to find a donor vehicle vehicle from somewhere else to cut up to save her? Would most earlier year Cherokees and Wagoneers work? Or are they different back there? Appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!!

[tgreese]

We need pics.

These cars aren't terribly valuable unless they are in mint condition. I would question the wisdom of trying to repair a rusty example.

If they were more valuable, the aftermarket would be offering all the body parts, like they do for tri-5 Chevys and such.

What do you particularly like about this vehicle? What is your budget? A parts car is a good idea. However, if you can afford a few thousand dollars in a lump, maybe it would be better to find a southwestern example and bring it to NJ. Then use this one for parts or make one good one out of both.

Economically, you're better off with a more expensive car that you don't have to work on much. JMO.

Welcome from Boston!

[WarWagon52]

Yeah, I'd been looking for one in better condition online all over the place ; this one just happened to be the closest (2 hours away). I just always wanted to own one. I have the resources and money to sink into her, but realize that it's going to be a lot of work to make her whole again. Not looking to get her show quality, just a tough looking daily driver. Can't seem to get any pics to load up. Keep getting some error notification. (Which confuses me, cause I got the pics off this site). You can find some pics of her on this site in the classifieds. It was the one for sale up in Greenville, NY.

[WarWagon52]

Just realized the pictures I tried to load were off of his Ebay listing and not here. Not sure if the link is good or how long it will remain, but you can try it... (it does have one decent shot of the rot around the tailgate).
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270656025832&viewitem= &sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

[tgreese]

I think rockers are availalbe. Look at BJs. The section of the rear quarter that's rusty can eb cut out and a new panel easily hand-formed. It's a simple curve, so you should be able to cut a pattern then gradually bend it over a pipe to such to get the curve you need. Realize that there's generally a lot more rust than is evident from the outer surface.

To my amateur eye, the rust around the back window frame looks ... challenging. We have a few body guys here that might have something more specific to say. You could also ask on the autobody101 forums, though they may tell you to scrap it.

There's a FSJ junyard in North Carolina (?) that has a lot of cars. That's a possible source for your body panels. The owners hang around here at times - they may have a thread in the vendors forum.

Rocker panels http://www.bjsoffroad.com/CartGenie/prod-332.htm