frame off restoration 1969 Judge

[teg]

I am new at this, be patient. I have the front clip, engine, transmission, drive shaft, gas tank, exhaust interior (not the column or the dash) out of my Judge. I keep debating whether to do a frame-off restoration or not. The frame and pans are near perfect. It was a southern and California car.

This weekend while welding some holes in the pans/trunk (shaft collar and fuel pump), I noticed a weird hole above the frame, near the rear axle. It is in an area that seems to have almost two layers of sheet metal with insulation in between. In other words, no way to get to it from inside because the hole didn't go all the way through. ???? I cannot repair the crumbled, torn looking hole (not rust) without getting the body away from the frame. So, here are my questions:

1) Is pulling a body difficult? How is it done and can the body be damaged by such pulling and twisting.

2) This car could end a high #2 (maybe #1 if there is such a thing), is it worth it? How much does it cost for a body shop to do it?

3) Since I am doing alot of the work myself, what the heck do you do with a body once it is off? Build a crib or rack? If I had a body shop do it, I would them somehow have to get the body into my own storage while the frame is being done.

4) Does the body need to come off for the brake and gas line to be removed?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am a novice with this stuff. I just don't want to do it 90% of the way if it can be done right the first time!

Thanks for assistance.

[firstgenaddict]

I believe that the body does have to come off for the brake line and fuel line to be removed. Also the car will most likely be worth the cost of what ever restoration you perform. Judge prices have gone crazy lately.

[csx289]

I hear there is a guy in Milwaukee that knows about restoring cars. I think he has 9 Judges at his shop right now. Maybe you should go and see him?

He will only talk to guys that fill out their profiles and become a member of the SYC group, though. So you should do that NOW.

And what the hell is a shaft collar? Sounds PAINFUL.

[musclecarz]

Hey Troy, Welcome to the sight, I don't remember a hole in the lower body, Must have been hidden well? Send me a picture, I would tell you to dive in and take the body off, I know you are going to be happier with the car if you do and dissappointed if you don't!! The car deserves the resto it is getting, Don't cut short!! Wish I still had it!!! If you need a rotiserre or instructions to build your own let me know, Or I'm sure Colin will steer you in the right direction!! Do it up Troy!!!