Thread: Hey!

Holy cow! To my surprise, I found this site, while searching for info for changing the outer TREs on my wifes 03 Grand Prix. I never would have thought, . My life is now complete, haha!

Looks like a good site, and easy to find the info you need to do something. I'll be honest, I sure as hell prefer wrenching on the Jeep over the Grand Prix, but that could change if I could get a hoist in my garage!!

You'll love this place, go look through te free for all lol

I found this site a year ago. I have found it quite helpful when I am stumped with the wife's GP. I **almost** gave up on the car back last fall when the inpection was due. Rocker panels were rotted out, windshield needed replacing. I went to look at a truck and got a flat. Go to swap in the spare and twist off not 1, but 3 wheel studs ...not a good day. Got it flatdecked home, as I wasn't about to drive it over an hour away on the highway with only 2 studs.

The truck thing didn't work out, so it was time to bite the bullet and fix the GP. I cut out all the rot on the rockers, and welded in new panels, filled/seam sealed/primed/painted (up to the contour on the door. Got a good deal on the windshield replacement and replace the hub/bearing assembly to remedy the lack of wheel studs. Afterwards, I figured a little more paint to make it a bit more unique around here I painted the rims and the trim pieces on the doors.

Here is a pic of the results, just before I took it in for it's MVI...



The Rims... After (left) / Before (right) - One of them was replaced a few years ago with a rim of the same style, but different finish. It always bothered me, but now they all match !!



I think I did pretty good for my first stab at body work. The inspector was impressed with the outcome, and everything was good so I didn't need any return trips to get my sticker, either .

I love how everyone blames the sunroof drains and ground effects as the cause of rust, all gps rust, my sisters 01 SE with 101k miles has more rust than my 168k mile 01 GTP, and this car spent most of its life in Minnesota and Michigan.

Looks good, should have taken some before and after pics of the rust.

I still have the pile of crap that I cut out of it sitting on the floor in the corner of the garage, lol! Rust is a fact of life here in Nova Scotia with all the salt they put on our roads. And there is NO WAY I could blame it on the sunroof, seeing as how it has none, haha!

Glad to hear you have been able to make some repairs. Looks like they turned out good. I assume you have experience welding to pull it off that well.

Originally Posted by LeadfootCJ7

Glad to hear you have been able to make some repairs. Looks like they turned out good. I assume you have experience welding to pull it off that well.

Gotta learn some how ! I have very little welding experience, the sheet metal is very thin... lol!

I really hate welding thin stuff. I am used to welding thicker stuff and have to watch so I don't burn through the thin stuff.

I will be getting plenty of practice come spring when I intend to start fabbing some things for the Jeep.

Originally Posted by eastcoastcam

I will be getting plenty of practice come spring when I intend to start fabbing some things for the Jeep.

What kind of Jeep? I have an 81 CJ7 that is what most of my welding is on.

Originally Posted by LeadfootCJ7

What kind of Jeep? I have an 81 CJ7 that is what most of my welding is on.

06 TJ w/3" lift & 31s. I just sold my old trail tires, 33"Swampers, and I am replacing them with 36" Michelin XLs.

Here is a link to everything done so far since I got it in 2010...
http://www.backcountry4x4club.ca/for...-it-continues/

I have a set of Rubicon rocker guards to install now, and a V8 ZJ tie rod to install as well sitting in the garage.