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Patch Panels for rocker area

Discussion in 'Exterior' started by celicagrl87, Apr 1, 2007.

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  1. celicagrl87

    celicagrl87 Guest

    Hello everybody,

    My name is Melissa. First of all this forum is awesome. I am such a celica chick it's not even funny. Let me start by saying I have an 87 Celica GT body, over the last few years I have swapped from the 3sfe to the 3sge also swapped from automatic to a 5 speed, some other little things , the motor is running awesome and the car is drivable. I was getting it ready to go for the spring on the road (hasn't been on the road for 4 years) and found some pretty bad rust on the rockers both sides. If anybody knows of anywhere to get patch panels please let me know. I think my only chance is going to be custom fit new metal but this would be much easier if i could find somewhere that has them premade. Anyhelp would be great. Thanks !!!! Melissa
     
    celicagrl87, Apr 1, 2007
    #1
  2. rye

    rye Well-Known Member Donated!

    hey welcome to the boards!

    I'm actually in the process of patching all the holes in my car while it's off the road....(has been since I got the thing, almost 3 years ago..haha)

    So far I'm just using some expanding foam, fiberglass, and bondo...since I doubt the car's gonna last another 5 years (I'd like to think it will, but I doubt....)

    The proper way would be to cut and shape new sheet metal...but fiberglass and bondo works good for a quick fix!

    I can post up some pics of what I've done so far if that'll help...
     
    rye, Apr 1, 2007
    #2
  3. 1fstgts

    1fstgts Well-Known Member Staff Member Administrator Moderator Donated!

    Welcome to the site! Youll find alot of good info and help here!

    You can either have them made or maybe cut them off another car.(if they are in good shape.) Ive never found anyplace that makes those replacement body panels.
    Also, while your on the rust hunt. Check right behind the front wheels under the fenders. Pull out the inner fender cover and look down at the bottom. Crap likes to collect there and and rot through the unibody. The other common place is up in the rear strut towers. Its hard to see without pulling out all the back paneling off. If you have a hole there you have water inside your car everytime it rains. My experiences with these cars(on #5 now) is that they usually rust from the inside out because toyota didnt coat the inside of the outer shell real well. If your body is solid I would at the bare minium get some paint inside all the paneling to preserve it.
     
    1fstgts, Apr 1, 2007
    #3
  4. celicagrl87

    celicagrl87 Guest

    Thanks for the info , The rust is pretty bad, i will post some pics i have when i get home from work. I don't think anything else but cutting new metal is going to work. I really didn't want it to come down to chopping another car since i just got rid of my parts car....eh..did that a little too soon since that had perfect rockers. any other info would be great . Thanks for all the help!!! You celica peeps are awesome.
     
    celicagrl87, Apr 1, 2007
    #4
  5. rye

    rye Well-Known Member Donated!

    I had a good 1 sq ft section out of every inner corner, foam and fiberglass works wonders...it may not look the best but it gets the job done... ill post pics when she's done :D
     
    rye, Apr 1, 2007
    #5
  6. Mafix

    Mafix Owner Staff Member Administrator Donated!

    go in the rides section and look at the 87 gts modification thread. that's the right way to fix them.
     
    Mafix, Apr 1, 2007
    #6
  7. celicagrl87

    celicagrl87 Guest

    Good news!!!!! Took the Drivers side fender off last night and it isn't as bad as it looked alot of the rot was the fender falling apart. There is some small holes in 2 areas right under where the very bottom of the fender was sitting which looks like it could be cut and patched fairly easy. It's about a 4in by 4in section. No Rot would have been nice but i'll take it. Still have yet to see what the passenger side will reveal thats the side that looks alot worse, I need to get some pics to show you guys to get your opinion. I don't think what I have found so far is all that bad. Thanks Again for all the advice.
     
    celicagrl87, Apr 2, 2007
    #7
  8. rye

    rye Well-Known Member Donated!

    We're here to help :D
     
    rye, Apr 2, 2007
    #8
  9. lsgheero

    lsgheero Well-Known Member

    Welcome! now telli's not the only girl on the site.... oops almost forgot about ryes 2 women. :p

    As most everyone has covered this is a great site to learn more about your celli and just relax and have fun.
     
    lsgheero, Apr 2, 2007
    #9
  10. celicagrl87

    celicagrl87 Guest

    So took the passenger side fender off yesterday it is worse than the driver side but still not as terrible as i had originally thought. Went to see a couple body shops with pics, two of them are going to take a look at the car on saturday quote a price for the repair and all that stuff. The Passenger side the body has a big hole but the metel behind it looks brand new so i guess it will be okay. I can't wait till it's fixed. Now i need fenders ...lol anybody have good things to say about a brand. I have heard that some aftermarket fenders are junk and ding and dent very easy.
     
    celicagrl87, Apr 3, 2007
    #10
  11. rye

    rye Well-Known Member Donated!

    I don't think there are too many different brands of fenders for our cars..probably just generic aftermarket fenders... If you could find another parts car with good panels you're in business hah
     
    rye, Apr 3, 2007
    #11
  12. celicagrl87

    celicagrl87 Guest

    grrrr don't say that.. i just got rid of my parts car with a perfect body on it.!!!! but what are you gunna do i guess. I really wanted oem fenders but they are unavailable unless you get them at the wreckers and there is not much for our celi's here in PA . I'm going to go to the wreckers this saturday and see if maybe i could cut out the peices i need. Thank God for battery powered sawz all's and drills!!!! lol
     
    celicagrl87, Apr 3, 2007
    #12
  13. Mafix

    Mafix Owner Staff Member Administrator Donated!

    in PA huh? when i get some time i would love to come up there and check your celi out. there are quite a few good body shops and people up there.
     
    Mafix, Apr 3, 2007
    #13
  14. rye

    rye Well-Known Member Donated!

    1fstgts sorta lives near you...he's in northeast ohio I believe....
    and mafix while you're up there...you and 1fstgts might as well just drive up to canada....then we can all drive to toronto and see allblackalltrac! :D
     
    rye, Apr 3, 2007
    #14
  15. celicagrl87

    celicagrl87 Guest

    Mafix where are you from? Nobody ever is from my area with a celica!!!! thats cool..!! lol There a couple good body shops by me when 2 2 of em yesterday , the guy from the one is coming to my house saturday to take a look at the celi to see if he will fix it, the other one i have to trailer the celi there for him to look at it.. so i guess we will see.
     
    celicagrl87, Apr 3, 2007
    #15
  16. rye

    rye Well-Known Member Donated!

    What else is wrong with it?? Is it not driveable? Or just not legal?
     
    rye, Apr 3, 2007
    #16
  17. celicagrl87

    celicagrl87 Guest

    HAHA not legal, no insurance registration or inspection. another issue is that it currently has no fender or hood on it . It does run and drive finally lol
     
    celicagrl87, Apr 3, 2007
    #17
  18. rye

    rye Well-Known Member Donated!

    I feel your pain...I just got mine running after owning it for 3 years...never really had the time or money to invest but now the gf's working and I'm not...so I have the time and money...hahahaha
     
    rye, Apr 3, 2007
    #18
  19. rye

    rye Well-Known Member Donated!

    probably....but you can look pretty standing beside it and riding in it ;)
     
    rye, Apr 3, 2007
    #19
  20. celicagrl87

    celicagrl87 Guest

    Here's the body damage, finally got pics

    Before fenders were taken off
    Drivers Side
    [​IMG]
    Passengers side
    [​IMG]
    After Fenders removed
    Drivers side
    [​IMG]
    Passengers side
    [​IMG]
     
    celicagrl87, Apr 3, 2007
    #20
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