Chassis Restoration Cost?

[intdev85]

Hi

I have a 96 Griff 500. It is coming to that time when the chassis is gonna need at least remedial work, if not something more serious! Reading the forums I am getting more and more nervous about the state of my chassis as there seems to be lots more threads about crusty outriggers, body lifting etc.

I admire you guys out there who set about lifting the body and enthusiastically wield a welding torch but feel this is beyond me (single garage, skill and time!). I will certainly have a go at cleaning up what I can get to from underneath but I suspect this is just putting off the inevitable!

I have yet to get a good look at my chassis but assuming the worst, how much should I budget for a professional chassis restoration? Just after a ball-park figure so I know how unpopular I am going to be with the missus!

[AntonyJ]

I am sure others will have experiences/opinions, but

Here are my rough guesses.
DIY 500-1000
Indie 3000-6000.

There is a lot of hours in the job as you can imagine. Also, its (as ever) the little things along the way that add up.
But, they dont make them new anymore, if like many,its a keeper, then it can only be a positive thing to do to your car.

[Guillotine]

Talk to Dulford automotive/tvrcarparts.

they have a section dedicated to this stuff

01884 266755

they've done some REALLY nice stuff

andy

[rev-erend]

AntonyJ said:

I am sure others will have experiences/opinions, but

Here are my rough guesses.
DIY 500-1000
Indie 3000-6000.

There is a lot of hours in the job as you can imagine. Also, its (as ever) the little things along the way that add up.
But, they dont make them new anymore, if like many,its a keeper, then it can only be a positive thing to do to your car.

Your way off.

I've done this and the steel cost around £60.. bit of mig wire and some gas.. all in for £100.

Most indies will do this job for around £650 per side - so £1300 all in..

To check the outriggers are OK - tap the outridder with the side of a spanner.. it sound ring.. if it does not ring the investigate with a screw driver - if you can push it thru - they are knackered.

It's worth bearing in mind that the outrigger provides 'most' of the side impact crash protection on Griffs and Chims and also that the seat belt is attached to them .. so it's not a job to skimp on.

[Barkychoc]

rev-erend said:

AntonyJ said:

I am sure others will have experiences/opinions, but

Here are my rough guesses.
DIY 500-1000
Indie 3000-6000.

There is a lot of hours in the job as you can imagine. Also, its (as ever) the little things along the way that add up.
But, they dont make them new anymore, if like many,its a keeper, then it can only be a positive thing to do to your car.

Your way off.

I've done this and the steel cost around £60.. bit of mig wire and some gas.. all in for £100.

Most indies will do this job for around £650 per side - so £1300 all in..

To check the outriggers are OK - tap the outridder with the side of a spanner.. it sound ring.. if it does not ring the investigate with a screw driver - if you can push it thru - they are knackered.

It's worth bearing in mind that the outrigger provides 'most' of the side impact crash protection on Griffs and Chims and also that the seat belt is attached to them .. so it's not a job to skimp on.

I can understand where AntonyJ is coming from - won't you want to replace / upgrade suspension bushes, diff mounts, clean & paint the chassis, maybe replace brake discs etc? It soon mounts up just budgeting for wire brushes, sandpaper, paint, waxoyl etc. Easy to forget it all when the wife asks how mush it is costing

[TheGriffalo]

Wire wheels/paint/jacks etc is probably about £150 on top of your usual toolkit.

I've added a few items to mine though as I've worked my way through it though. Probably about £4k in parts


If you're near Cambridgeshire you're welcome to see mine being done at the mo in a single garage!

[AntonyJ]

intdev85 said:

how much should I budget for a professional chassis restoration?

rev-erend said:

Your way off.

I've done this and the steel cost around £60.. bit of mig wire and some gas.. all in for £100.

Most indies will do this job for around £650 per side - so £1300 all in..

Not way off at all, you are talking about repairing the chassis with the body in place.
I, and I assume the OP are talking about a body off chassis resoration ,which involves alot more than a bit of mig wire.

Ring round some of the indies and get quotes to remove a body,repair/replace rotten chassis sections and then blast paint/powdercoat the chassis and rebuild.

As I said if you do it there are so many other things most people would want to do at the same time.......

[David H]

rev-erend said:

AntonyJ said:

I am sure others will have experiences/opinions, but

Here are my rough guesses.
DIY 500-1000
Indie 3000-6000.

There is a lot of hours in the job as you can imagine. Also, its (as ever) the little things along the way that add up.
But, they dont make them new anymore, if like many,its a keeper, then it can only be a positive thing to do to your car.

Your way off.

I've done this and the steel cost around £60.. bit of mig wire and some gas.. all in for £100.

Most indies will do this job for around £650 per side - so £1300 all in..

To check the outriggers are OK - tap the outridder with the side of a spanner.. it sound ring.. if it does not ring the investigate with a screw driver - if you can push it thru - they are knackered.

It's worth bearing in mind that the outrigger provides 'most' of the side impact crash protection on Griffs and Chims and also that the seat belt is attached to them .. so it's not a job to skimp on.

I'd say Antony was about spot on. Maybe a little more towards the higher end from an indie

Edited by David H on Friday 4th January 22:12

[intdev85]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the response.

I do intend to keep the car for many years and have been 'custodian' of it for the last 7 years. I had Fernhurst (Surrey/Sussex) give it a 'clean' 3 or so years ago, and I must say, I could still visibly see the rust, under the bonnet, after I got it bsck! Cost me £500 for the priviledge too. I bought the car from there but needless to say, I have not been back since they did this work. Since then I have had work done by Austech and an indie near me and no alarm bells have been rung over the chassis although it is suffering 'the usual flaking'.

I guess a full strip down is on the cards at some time. I just need to keep the corrosion at bay for a little while longer, subject to children and house repairs!. Hopefully the clean up I have planned this winter will buy some time to put some cash aside. Hence, my original post i.e. how much to squirrel away!

I don't use the car much (enough!) but can't bring myself to part with it. I don't think it has been out on a wet road more than 3 times since 2005!

My eldest (5 years old) is keen to take on the car and I don't wish to disappoint! So, the chassis has to last at least another 12 years! I have invested in POR-15 and a good set of wire brushes so will set to it over the next couple of weekends. Just a bit nervous of what I will find!

[intdev85]

I have to admit a £6K bill is not something I want to think about at the moment.

Perhaps I need to be braver and tackle the job myself. Anyone fancy forming a chassis renovation co-operative in Sussex? Pool knowledge, resources and muscle power to lift the body off.

[Bodmin]

Hi Dave

Havn`t seen you at a Club Night for a while, glad to hear you still have the Griff.

I would be suprised if would need a replacement chassis on this age of car unless you have taken to parking on Brighton beach

The rust usually only takes hold where the powder coating has been chipped off by stones etc. The front outriggers usually suffer the most due to the crap thrown off the tyres getting trapped between the body & the chassis or from stone damage.

To do a proper job you need to jack the car up,pressure wash the chassis,wire brush it,paint it & coat it with Waxoyl or similar. This may need to be repeated every 2-3 years.

Email me or call me & I may be able to do you a deal

Bodmin

[smcquill]

Hi to give you an idea of powder coating or nylon coating costs my Wedges chassis was nylon coated 4 years ago at £700 and its still in brand new condition. I also have a 98 Griff 500 and I am considering taking the body off to get the same done to my Griff...as previous posts mentioned if its a keeper...its very much worth while...as to hidden costs well that determines what you do and once you have the body off you have access to everything, I got my drive shafts and propshafts powdercoated, Alloys etc etc..

It really depends on you and how long you can keep your Tiv off the road.

Hope it all works out for you and Good Luck
SMcQ

[rev-erend]

AntonyJ said:

intdev85 said:

how much should I budget for a professional chassis restoration?

rev-erend said:

Your way off.

I've done this and the steel cost around £60.. bit of mig wire and some gas.. all in for £100.

Most indies will do this job for around £650 per side - so £1300 all in..

Not way off at all, you are talking about repairing the chassis with the body in place.
I, and I assume the OP are talking about a body off chassis resoration ,which involves alot more than a bit of mig wire.

No worries !

We are just talking about different things.

[blaineuk]

smcquill YHM