Overwhelmed !!

Recently bought a 1972 Maverick Grabber,,, at this age, just about everything needs attention !!what do you guys start first ?? a couple of hundred dollars would get it legal, but needs body work, lots of missing/damaged pieces weatherstripping , etc.. I would appreciate your advice

Thanks ,
Glenn

 

I always start with the mechanical end of things. If it doesn't run properly and stop correctly it is too dangerous to drive. Start there and then work on making it pretty.

 

you need to figure out what your priorities are.
do you need it to drive while you work on it?
do you want a complety restored car?
are you modifyining it?
list your priorities and objectives and we can give the guideance you seek young grasshopper

 

What to do first

the car has been modified for high performance street it has a Hi Pro 302, 388 gears in a ford 9" rear end , tci auto C4 trans.. the front tires are rotted, needs a radiator fan, the front end suspension looks dry, all the weatherstripping is rotted.. engine runs like a bat out of hell

 

don't know all the tricks to posting yet. this car will not be a complete restoration.. don't have that kind of money this is not or will be a daily driver anytime soon.. I posted a picture of my car when I joined.. do I need to manually attach the picture each time I post ?

 

i would probably get the suspension redone if its dried out, make sure she stops good and the rest of the mechanical work done. then replace weatherstripping and get bodywork done last.

 

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sweet!!!!

 

I posted the same thing when I got my car last year about being overwhelmed. I was told that as long as this wasnt my daily driver. Take it slow. Has been a fun time, even trying to find all the parts, LOL. Just one thing at a time.

 

If the tires are rotted out I'd try to find some decent tires for it. Check the brakes, shocks, ball joints. make sure it runs good and doesn't overheat. Check all the fluids. Then worry about finding all the other stuff. Watch ebay and Craigs list for deals. That's part of the fun. Ask about parts on here. Take your time and enjoy it.

 

Go slow, work as time and money allows.
1.
I would get the car on jackstands and drop the front suspension, and the rear end/driveshaft and gas tank.
-fix up the underside, any rust or underside bodywork.
-replace ball joints,control arm, tie rods, fresh brake lines, brakes, clean up rotors,and etc up front.
-be sure rear end is fine, clean it up and put back, change brake lines out back
2.
If motor and trans are fine I would just tune them up, if they are rough of course rebuild. clean up the engine bay, can be done with motor installed.
3.
Strip interior
-remove everything from interior, and repair the floorpans if they are rusted. wire wheel them clean, prime-paint-and truck bed coat them
-pop the glass out, clean out the channels and paint the channels
-fix up your door panels and paint your dash/trim, replace heater core and clean up heater box while your here.
wire wheel your trunk and paint it up as well,
4.
the outside ---weld/fix rust. body work, sand, prime, filler, paint
5.
install headliner, put glass back in with new rubber, put new rubber around doors (replace hinges on doors if they sag), trunk gasket, hood line gasket.
put you some carpet in and seats.
6. hook everything up, plug everything in, spit shine it, drive her.

any misc parts can be found through these guys here,ebay, autokrafters, car store, what have you.

hahaha, just my on how to go about it.

just do one thing at a time, oh and check that cowl for leaking, as I would fix that first and be done with it