Hi all I'm new here and was needing some advice. I have a 62 Ranchero that came out of Florida. The bottom side is complete rust to the point the rear upper shock mounts have rotted away. I want to replace and update everything on the underside; suspension, adding pwr brakes and steering, and especially the rotted out frame. It has the original 144 in it and i was wanting to know the best way to upgrade it. i kind of want to supercharge or turbo it. just for pits and giggles. I'm not looking for super high speeds or anything. I just want to be able to get the most out of the motor I have. If anyone knows what to do, I would greatly appreciate the help. Thanks, EV
First off, go do an intro. Next, what is your skill level?? What have you done?? Can you, or someone you know VERY well, weld?? Do you understand what I mean when I say "unit-body"?? As a project, and I DO know whereof I speak when it comes to that particular car, THAT Ranchero sounds like a parts car. Anyway, back out and intro yourself. Follow the rules (yup, lots of us are old fogies, here. Some of us have been here forever [see 'join date']) Cosmo
Not to discourage you, but a 62 ranchero isn't all that rare. A severely rusted unibody is a huge undertaking to repair. Maybe you should look for a better start.
I'm gonna have to agree with these guys. See if you can find a more solid start and use your current one as a donor car for any good parts that may be left. Or, if you have to use this one, worry about rust repair before anything with the engine...if the rust is as bad as you describe you have plenty of time to plan out your engine. In any case, be prepared for a lot of work building a classic.
Tried the unibody myself scrapped it.... they are a bitch to save First car (or third in my case) find one that is solid and running and work your way towards something cool from there. You will save money in the long run and you don't risk burning out on a long term project on your first try.
After you've done your intro, post some pictures of the underside of it and let's see you bad it actually is. Floor pans can be replaced, rockers and frame rails and such are much trickier to do and really not worth it for a car that common (I have one too... and a wagon, and a coupe). If it's just floor pans and you can weld a bit I can direct you to a couple of threads around here about replacing them. After you get the floors sorted out, hang out some more and watch around here because there is a whole batch of us playing with these cars and doing modifications the straight resto based Falcon boards won't touch. I can just about guaranty that you'll think six times about wanting power steering or brakes on one of these... You simply won't need it. stock stuff works just great for the steering, and disc brakes can be had for less than the cost of rebuilding the drums. There are two threads here expressly for Falcons. "Doing Falcons right" is our tech thread, and Falcons Done right" is our pretty, finished show it off thread. Tons of info on both. If I can be of help personally, I am happy to be of service. I have owned my '62 coupe for over 31 years now.
I'm with need louvers go do your intro then let us see the worst rust spots sometimes its what you don't see that will do you in.Go do your intro
Thanks guys. Intro's done. I will discuss this with my finance manager. I'll try to get some pics too.
My Finance Manager would be the Wife.My best line trust me it will be under a hundred and no it didn't work
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