[Brad_bb]

Is your frame as clean as it looks? I'm used to seeing them with either surface rust(western cars) or pitting rust(midwest cars). You have black paint. Did they paint over the rust or did someone blast and paint it in the past? I'm not sure where you're talking about welding having happened? upper control arms or lower at frame. FYI some of those factory welds weren't the prettiest as they drag their stick across the frame. Is there an original cone style posi in the rear end? What gear ratio do you have? I installed an eaton posi in mine with 3.90's. Hopefully you can still get bushings for the upper control arm in the diff. Back 15 years ago I installed NOS bushings, and the only others available then were urethane and I think you had to reuse your original bushing shells. Don't destroy your upper bushings getting them out. You can make a press out tool with threaded rod and tubing and washers. I made one and it's down in my tool box.

[1_Wild_Cat]

Hi Brad --

Is your frame as clean as it looks? I'm used to seeing them with either surface rust(western cars) or pitting rust(midwest cars). You have black paint. Did they paint over the rust or did someone blast and paint it in the past?

The frame is pretty clean. Honestly - there was almost no rust on this entire car. Just what we found where the fuel tank filler came through, what was in the pinch of the door seams, and a little in the wheel lip (probably because someone had cut the lip to fit bigger rubber).

The frame flange is bent in a couple areas from people jacking up the car. And a couple of pieces of metal have been welded inside the frame channel in those locations. I will need to cut those out and straighten the flange.

The PO told me he had blasted the frame. It was in black when I got it. Really cheap paint so it will get redone.

I'm not sure where you're talking about welding having happened

I don't have a good photo. But the welds are done vertically on the frame cross member right next to the upper control arm attachments. Longer on the left side. If you zoom in on the photo in the last post next to that weird piece of metal you can see the weld.

Is there an original cone style posi in the rear end? What gear ratio do you have?

The car originally had 3.23 gears and based on rotating the wheels and watching the pinion it still does. I haven't had the cover off to see what kind of posi unit is in it - probably still the cone. But it does click and pop when moving the car around.

Thanks for the heads-up on the bushings. I did find the correct size a few years ago - sourced them through Summit. I don't remember the brand. They are in my parts bins somewhere.

Thanks for following along.