Rust on quarter panel Fix vs. Panel

[driven_]

hey guys, from searching a bit, i realized it would cost me a lot to fix the quarter panel, so i was wondering if its worth getting a rusted quarter panel fixed/restored, or should i just cut it off, and get a wide fender and slap that on?

this is all for an s14,
my s14 was treated like shizz by my uncle before i bought it, and it has a lot of rust.
it would be great to get your opinions,
sorry for being a effin' noob.
*if youre asking why i bought it, its because i bought it for 1300, and it seemed like a good deal for an SE with 126k miles.
here's some pictures.

NEW IDEA: how about fender flares? anybody seen em on s14's? grab me pictures if you can. it'll just save me some money. :)
Passenger Side
http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/9701/p1020221kq1.jpg

Driver Side
http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/9864/p1020230dj6.jpg

Midwest Cars + Midwest Snow/Salt = Herpes

[ThatGuy]

Pictures would help someone make a better decision for you.

[jbuckley]

chargespeed.

[driven_]

1st bump.

msglength

[Stewart Laak]

My car has rust on the rear fenders just like yours. I cut out the rears
and threw on some 30mm overfenders and called it a day.

[slidewaysmn]

+1 on overfenders...i had the same thing..well not as bad, but my step dad backed into me, so i got em for free.

[driven_]

i guess overfender is a good idea because i have a few small dents that might cost 100 each for just that "paintless dent removal"

my dad who decided to make his opinion on the look of my car said that it would look stupid,

thus, it should be welded to look clean.
from pictures on chargespeed.com, it looks like the overfender is obviously welded in/onto the car, and it looks cleaner. i guess my dad prefers that, but i could care less and i would just rivet, i'm also no good with welding/bodywork.

so i guess

EASY=rivet
HARD= weld

right? sorry for the long ass post.

[nwmrkt]

no they are riveted, Then molded via fiberglass/filler whatever.

[driven_]

+1 on overfenders...i had the same thing..well not as bad, but my step dad backed into me, so i got em for free.

My car has rust on the rear fenders just like yours. I cut out the rears
and threw on some 30mm overfenders and called it a day.


you guys got pictures?

that would make my decision clearer on how it'll turn out.

[importantone]

It would be easy enough to fix. It really depends what you want. If you are looking for as much wheel or tire you can put under stock fenders then fix it. If you want to go wider and be able just to cut the rust right off and rivet some flares on then go for that. I think it's more of a styling issue in this case than anything. What's your personal taste?

[Mr.James]

id go wide body...but theres still alot of bodywork involved...my father and i are currently working on my widebody install...it takes time to make it right, and you should fix the dents anyways for self satisfaction! :wavey:personally my car is worth more to me knowing that its done right whether it will be noticed or not.....

[driven_]

i like looks, it gets the ladies. :P

but to be serious, the fenders would cover up the dents. if i dont do fenders, i'm gonna have to pull every little dent out, and theres like 5 just on that quarter panel where the fender will cover it up.

[ThatGuy]

Do you have wheels to fill wide fenders?

If not do you have funds to get wheels to fill wide fenders?

Do you have the horsepower to warrant spending the funds to get wheels to fill wide fenders?

Do you plan to paint the car anytime soon, or are you planning to run an underpowered, wide for no reason, skinny tired, un-painted, but not rusted, 240sx?

Just curious, and I want to make sure you are considering all the factors.

[driven_]

i've got some decent 17x9's needing tires and a car.

[ThatGuy]

Heh, 9" wide tires don't need widebody.

Good luck man.

Just build it however it will make you happy.

[driven_]

at least it covers up the rust *shrugs*

anybody got pictures of clean and painted ones?

[JRas]

that rust is horrible

when installing wide fenders you cut the original quarter panel higher before putting them on

[driven_]

that rust is horrible

when installing wide fenders you cut the original quarter panel higher before putting them on

yeah, i know.

ANYONE GOT PICTURES?!?!?!
cant find decent ones in the gallery.

[driven_]

nvm i'll go to pic request. :)

[gregfarz78]

That rust doesn't look too horrible I'd just cut it out and try to find a rust free piece from a junkyard 1/4 panel to weld in

[ZX88]

it doesnt look that bad i would just grind it down and if its roted through just replace it with new sheet metal then roll the fenders. or you could just cut it away and do for some wide quarter pannels.

[driven_]

That rust doesn't look too horrible I'd just cut it out and try to find a rust free piece from a junkyard 1/4 panel to weld in

i bet you could barely find an s13 in the junkyards here. :/ so i highly doubt there would be anything for s14's.

[gregfarz78]

i bet you could barely find an s13 in the junkyards here. :/ so i highly doubt there would be anything for s14's.

This is true around here too :wtc: but it probably wouldn't be very hard to get some 18ga sheet metal and form a new piece using the old cut piece as a guide.