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  1. #1

    Default Picked up 85 Project! Front Frame Removal and Install

    Hey all,

    I picked up this 85 GT from a guy who had it in a storage unit. This is a total restore project with a color change so its going to take a while! It looked like it needed an engine wiring harness but I picked one up from ddx77 here on the forum! I paid $1500 for the car and he had another storage unit so I purchased a 2nd set of front and back seats, a set of 10 hole wheels with tires, 2 rust free doors, 2 quarter window "sail panels" and a rust free hatch along with some misc parts for $500. I haven't seen a hard top for sale in quite a while so I'm pretty excited. No rust on the driver side floor, only 2 small spots on the passenger floor. I will need to do the strut tower repair but the rust is light so hopefully it's not too bad.
    Last edited by IndyBill; 07-18-2021 at 07:04 PM. Reason: Better title.

  2. #2

    Default

    Here are some more pics.
    Last edited by IndyBill; 07-18-2021 at 07:05 PM.

  3. #3

  4. #4

  5. #5

    Default

    Wow! Looks like a good project for the money & extra parts. How many miles are on the car & how long was it in storage? Hopefully the rust repair doesn’t uncover too much. What color are you planning to go with? Definitely keep us posted.

  6. #6

    Default

    Thanks ISTLCRUZ! I found one hole next to the passenger rear seat belt mount and one on the passenger right rear seat mount. The driver side floor is in excellent shape. The 2 places I found are easy fixes! The trunk and rest of the floor is solid! The rust on the back hatch is surface but I can fix that or use the spare hatch. I have a friend who has a body shop and he'll cut out the fix the small spots on the rear quarters. I'll likely get a new left front fender. I just got it yesterday and I had to get the interior out today to see! I'm going to go with silver as the color. I had an 85 GT back in 1990-93 that was silver so I'm going to go back stock. I bought my original 85 GT in 1990 and it had 18k miles on it, it was brand new still with the factory tires on it. I drove it for a couple years while I was in the Marine Corps. I sold it in 93 with 85000 miles on it and I instantly regretted it. Hopefully this one turns our well!
    Last edited by IndyBill; 07-18-2021 at 07:05 PM.

  7. #7

    Default

    Removed pics
    Last edited by IndyBill; 08-29-2021 at 11:04 AM.

  8. #8

    Default

    Looking good Bill! Thats a great start for a project!

  9. #9
    FEP Senior Member
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    Default

    Congratulations on your new build.

  10. #10

  11. #11

    Default

    Well, what I thought was a needed strut tower fix turned out to be needing frame rail replacements! The inner wheel cover, emissions tubing, and battery tray hid the severe frame rot and a patch plate welded on the passenger side. The driver side isn't near as bad but I did go ahead and get new frame rails ordered from LMR. The instructions are not very good but there is an email to the guy who produced them so he's sending more detailed pics and clarifying some of the instructions.
    Attachment 132948
    Last edited by IndyBill; 08-29-2021 at 11:05 AM.

  12. #12
    FEP Supporter
    qikgts's Avatar
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    Default

    There are also some threads on here that have plenty of details regarding frame rail replacement.

    Here's one... http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...-Rot-Questions

    There's also a link to another in that thread.
    '85 GT

  13. #13

    Default

    Thanks, I appreciate the links! I got my car leveled front to back and side to side. It took me a lot longer to get the engine bay cleared and nose off than I thought it would! I still have to take the fog light bar and power steering pump out and then take everything off the k-member. I got the LMR frame rail kit's in the mail so I'm ready to get going for real!

    Quote Originally Posted by qikgts View Post
    There are also some threads on here that have plenty of details regarding frame rail replacement.

    Here's one... http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...-Rot-Questions

    There's also a link to another in that thread.

  14. #14

    Default

    Attachment 132971
    Attachment 132972

    Someone had painted this car and had it apart before. Only 2 bolts holding the steel crash bar on! I’ve found so much jacked up with this! The previous owners or the shop they had do the work were the worst mechanics ever!
    Last edited by IndyBill; 08-29-2021 at 11:05 AM.

  15. #15
    FEP Supporter
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    Interested to see how you make out and can't wait to see your progress.
    '85 GT

  16. #16

    Default

    Removed pics.
    Last edited by IndyBill; 08-29-2021 at 11:25 AM.

  17. #17
    FEP Senior Member
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    Great progress. I. Excited to see it when you are done

  18. #18
    FEP Supporter
    qikgts's Avatar
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    Movin' along nicely!
    '85 GT

  19. #19

    Default

    Here are some patches I was able to get done today.
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  20. #20

  21. #21

    Default

    Lesson #1. Don’t bother with patching the strut tower until you have the rail fitted correctly and the top plate for the crush tubes where they need to be. For this side I’ll need to make a 1/8” filler strip to fill the gap between the frame rail and tower. No huge deal but disappointing.
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  22. #22
    Moderator wraithracing's Avatar
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    Making Great progress! Congrats! I know how much fun this is not, but the results are very satisfying.
    ​Trey

    "I Don't build it hoping for your approval! I built it because it meets mine!"

    "I've spent most of my money on Mustangs, racing, and women... the rest I just wasted."

    Mustangs Past: Too many to remember!
    Current Mustangs:
    1969 Mach 1
    1979 Pace Car now 5.0/5 speed
    1982 GT Stalled RestoModification
    1984 SVO Still Waiting Restoration
    1986 GT Under going Wide Body Conversion Currently

    Current Capris:
    1981 Capri Roller
    1981 Capri Black Magic Roller Basket Case
    1982 Capri RS 5.0/4spd T-top Full Restoration Stalled in TX
    1984 Capri RS T-top Roller
    1983-84 Gloy Racing Trans Am/IMSA Body Parts

  23. #23

    Default

    I put the K-member up to see how it looked and all is well in the mounting bolts alignment! This first side took longer than expected but with that experience the drivers side won’t be as bad. A lot of unknowns and a bit of doubt the first time around! Name:  2B82429A-B36E-44E8-85E2-CC0BE8F18F7F.jpeg
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    Last edited by IndyBill; 07-01-2020 at 01:10 PM.

  24. #24

    Default

    Got the driver side frame rail out. This one went a lot quicker since I know what’s what! I cut the spot welds and then cut the frame off right in front of the rear mount.
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  25. #25
    FEP Super Member erratic50's Avatar
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    Default

    Lots of work there. Great progress - keep it up!

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