How hard is it to replace front frame rails?

 

It's up there with quarter panel replacement, not a good choice for a first project.

 

yikearoony

 

i didn't find the quarter panel that hard.. thankfully I didn't have to replace any rails. Are you sure the entire rail is shot or can it be patched?

 

What frame rails are you refering to?

 

To do the rails correctly, you really should have access to a frame jig to ensure that everything is square and level. It can be done without one, but you have to be extremely careful when aligning everything.

 

Support the car at multiple points, do the worst section first, and don't remove ANYTHING you don't have to. There's a photo I keep seeing on forums of a Mustang with everything forward of the firewall removed, and both rear frame rails and crossmember removed. Assembling that car to proper dimensions will be an effing nightmare.

This car got two new front rail/apron assemblies, and yet the front crossmember was never off the car:



This car has all the structural strength of Jello, and requires support at many points:

 

Probably going to do a patch, most of the outer(radiator support) section of the front rail is about 1/2" thick of rust.