anth0nycurtis

Hey Everyone, I recently purchased a 900 84 Firebird Trans AM. I was wondering is there any easy way to fix a rear fender thats been dented and poorly repaired which led to surface rust. Also the front body kit on both the passenger and driver side is cracked along w/ the driver side rear bumper. the damage is very minimal just an eyesore. The passenger door also has some rot at the base which is not visible but I would also like to repair. I appricate any tips!!!!! Thanks in advance.....

Magsls1

iTrader: (1)

Well from the sound of it there is no easy way to do any of that, but some pictures will help all of us. For the dented rear quarter you might need a new quarter panel, you might not. Any rust will only go away if you sand/grind it off and for fixing the bumper and gound effects try doing a search in the boards and you will find instructions.

tuske427

The easiest way, imo, is to replace the damaged removable parts with good, used ones. There are still plenty of good condition used parts out there like doors and such. Doors should be plentiful and cheap and are only a bolt on away. They should be interchangable between the camaros and firebirds for the entire third gen production run (1982-1992) The biggest difference being the holes for ground f/x. You may have to drill bolt holes for your style ground f/x and fill the unneeded ones.

the ground f/x are the limiting factor here. They were a unique style optional on '84 Trans Am (and they were also used on the '83 Daytona Pace Cars). Their design was changed for '85.

However, if it's only a crack it could be repaired but you can't just use bondo and call it a day. You'll need to go to an auto body store and purchase the proper materials for repairing urethane parts.

The quarter panel will need the old fashion proper repair or have it cut and replaced. Cost will depend on how bad the damage is, how well you wish it to be repaired and how well you shop around.

This is how I would handle it.

If there's a little hidden rust in a tight area and you don't want to go through all this replacement and can't grind it maybe get some "naval jelly" and apply that on the rust. Then you can use a rust encapsulating paint (you can get some from the eastwood company) and apply that on there.

I hope this helps

anth0nycurtis

Heres some pix for ya the first is the rear the second is the front bumper



hope that helps!

Bobby_80s

iTrader: (2)

not really. too dark and too close, try day time and slighlty farther away so we can compare it to the rest of the body surroundign the damaged area

anth0nycurtis

alright, this saturday I'll get some more daytime pix. Damn daylight savings........no one thinks that a dent in the rear quater panel can be banged out?

tuske427

Yes, metal can be reshaped and banged out, bondo'd and repainted.

the point is whether it is worth to do just this or to cut and replace. seeing the entire amount of damage and assessing the repair is why everyone needs to see the pics.

Just trying to help

anth0nycurtis

definitally appricate all the help, this car is my 900 dollar baby which I intend to fix up to its all natural self. Unfortunately it will take lots of time and some money but I will be posting many pictures of its progress so I hope you'll all join me in the adventure and give me advice along the way thank you all in advance and keep the suggestions coming I need them!!

82 Iron Duke

iTrader: (21)

Doing a total resto like you are doing will make you one happy camper, you will also appreciate your car soooo much more, good luck and please keep us updated on your progress.

anth0nycurtis

yeah its def a total restore but on the up and up, theres not THAT much to fix/replace it was a steal for a 900 buck running 84 firebird trans am anyone will admit that.....now talk one that only needs a battery, tune up, fluid change, belts, and tires to make it road worthy and it kinda seems to good to be true, sure it has 1 dent and 2 cracks in the front fender but who cares! Give me a year to buy tools, parts and procrastinate not to mention beer to keep me goin and I'll have that thing on the road in no time! :-D

Bobby_80s

iTrader: (2)

sounds like you got a good deal, jsut keep in mind you will never make your money back compeltely. fix it up the way you want it and make your own till you sell it or pass it on to a family member or till it dies itself and just sits.

i purchased a 1986 for 750. Body is in good shape soem rust sectiosn that need attention but nothing is rotted. but already put 2,000 into the whole thing over engine sensors and labor to install total new exhaust minus the headers. I'm jsut making it my own and something I can be proud of. I don't expect to sell it and i dont expect to get my money back if i did. just have fun with it and ask ask ask all the questions you can think of.

get us soem better pics and good luck

tuske427

Well said!

I have a nearly identical '84 Trans Am as Anthony Curtis' T/A (subject of this thread) and I have many thousands of dollars wrapped up in mine (more than 10) . I'll never get it back by selling it as none of that was cosmetic and the car still looks like a 500$ special. But, I've had this car since June 6th, 1991. I had it in highschool, I had it with me when I lived in NY and NJ, I drove across the country with a truck and trailer just to bring it back to California with me, and have performed an LS1 swap along with a total suspension, brake and drivetrain replacement. The sentimental value and the memories this car has to me is priceless.

anth0nycurtis

Thats the biggest thing w/ me and these cars, I had an 85 Camaro which I feel in love w/. It was a 500 special lol which I guess why it ment so much seeing it was the first car I bought w/ my own hard earned cash. That car died quickly though and I replaced it w/ a 1980 Mercedes Benz 300SD Diesel Monster which I ended up hating and reverting back to my roots w/ a F-Body.

This car I've taken a different approach and decided to hold off w/ any sort of car and sink cash into something that I know for a fact will get me through my day. So August is the deadline and you are right, you do fall in love and have great memories in this kind of car theres no doubt about that.

DIABLO NEGRO

AMEN to that!! I have 2 an 85 project coupe and a 92 RS that i am tryin to fix the body damage from my accident right now!

anth0nycurtis

ouch what kind of damage?