Rusty xy ute

[wheresmeute]

Having wanted to own an old falcon ute for a long time and finally finding what appeared to be a good one i have lashed out and bought what seemed to be a fair condition xy ute. Ok so it was site unseen as i am in NSW and the ute was in QLD but after several phonecalls to the owner and half a dozen pics it looked like it would not take too much to get it right for rego and as the owner constantly described it "little bit of rust in the usual places" i was led to slaughter. So after taking delivery of my treasure my dreams of driving this ute to bathurst this year have certainly been shattered as i have discovered with every bolt that i remove the rust is EVERYWHERE.
I knew about the doors and the sills and the back guards and was prepared to cut and plate where required but i was not expecting the following:
floorpan both sides
torque box both sides
A pillars both sides
seat rail passenger side
left and right handside of the bracing framework under the frontguards near plenum cover
It has been a case of one step forward 3 steps back but i am determined to get this beasty back on the road so i am looking for tips advice and any help that i can find. I am searching hi and lo for an xy/xw ute/sedan/wagon/van shell without rust in the above mentioned places that i can use to rebuild my dream but having already outlaid my savings on the ute i am hunting for one that is not going to cost me an arm and a leg I am in sydney outer west and if anyone can help me please contact me 0413038575 all advice would be appreciated.
Phil

[rag top]

Got any pics of the rust??

[Falcon_Phill]

Shouldnt buy what you dont look at first..

[TotalDriver]

G'day, welcome to the Forum.

Try www.fordmuscleparts.com.au they've got heaps of resto parts.

Cheers,

[wheresmeute]

Gee thanks phil next you will be telling me there is no santa claus

i will post some pics for those who are interested

[BPXR6T]

That really bites. Hope you thanked the guy who sold it to you. If you haven't gone too far already maybe its time to cut your losses. Pull the good bits off your ute and keep them as spares. They can get pretty bad. My brother in laws was more bog than steel by the time we gas axed it.

You can occassionally get a cheapy. I got my XT ute with zero rust for just over $1000. Maybe phone around some country wreckers and see if you can get a good shell. I always try to start with country cars for projects.

[wheresmeute]

I will try that, i might have gotten onto a couple of utes, i have been told they are not worth restoring (is there such a thing? thought not until now) but i am hoping that the shells are rust free and i might be able to mix and match.

[Tote]

They are out there, I looked for two years for my XT and I was still not as happy with the shell as I might have been. Keep an eye on the trading post as well as parts peddler etc. Another possibility is keeping a watch on clearing sales via "The land" as utes sometimes pop up in these as well. Good luck looking
Regards,
Tote

[BPXR6T]

Yeah good idea. If your in Victoria the country trading post is a gem. I nearly bought a dodge ute last year for $2200 in stawell with 318, great body, and roadie. You'll pick something up...

[vino3o2]

Arrh mate...I feel for you, I did the same thing with my Xp only to find that the car was a whole lot worse than he explained, never the less, do not let it get you down, in the end it will be all worth it. It took me two years of pain but im glad i did it...but i can strongly say that ill never ever buy a car again without veiwing it myself....good luck Phil

[wheresmeute]

I might have hit the mother lode, i have found a nice bloke with 70+ old falcons in his yard including a ute or 2.

[Tote]

If you come across a lock for a spare tyre door I'd be more than interested. Bloody panel beater lost mine.
Regards,
Tote

[wheresmeute]

Will keep my eyes open for one, whats a good rust free xy sedan shell worth these days?