The frame rails had rusted through in a few spots and needed to be fixed. We thought about buying caps that you can just weld over the existing frame, but anything worth doing is worth doing right.   [

So we bought "guaranteed" rust-free frame rails from Texas Acres. When they cut them out of a car the floor pan was still attached and we found the easiest way to get it off is with an air chisel.

The next step was to take out the leaf springs so we could get the old frame rails out. Since this car had a 7 1/4 rear end we just took the whole thing out and got an 8 3/4 from a junk yard. We unbolted it right on top of a floor jack and lowered it down. [

Here it is out of the car.

LOOK MA, NO REAR END!  [

We stripped the paint off around the spot welds so we could see them better.

Now you see them.....[

Now you don't!

Cutting welds with a grinder.