I did fastback and convertible conversions in the early 90's, back then there was nobody doing it to ask for advice. I had to figure it all out on my own. What you said is spot on. Body gaps, rust repairs, old collision damage that wasn't repaired properly etc. But as you say, have patience, take a break and don't be in a hurry, it will work out. AND DON'T GET LAZY!! It won't get done by itself so keep at it. Great video thanks.
Can I get a Wooooot woooooot for Lost Socket Garage🔈🔈. The shop is a force to be reckoned with. I love the precise persistent and patience they trigger, just to make our dreams a realistic reality. Greetings from gloomy and chilly California, USA.
You could rename this video "The Ugly Reality of replacing sheetmetal on any classic car". Envisioning what you want, runs to the store for tools and fasteners, measuring and re-measuring, adjusting, running into problems like hidden rust, frustration/anger, and just having to walk away for a while to reset your brain. Great video.
@@lostsocketgarage ??. electric swaps.??.. that just de valued a mustang to ZERO.. period.. ev,s are dead. bs concept, waste of time, money, recources..yupi rtrds.. i bought a 73 challenger, couldnt find a decent mustang f/ back. or coupe for that matter, for decent $$$.. there not gold, theres millions of them. unlike my chall. 340 r/t.
This video couldnt be more true. I am nearly done with replacing my torque boxes, toe boards, and patching my firewall. Still have to do the conversion…but cannot wait. Patience is something this car is teaching me, a few hours every night. Thanks for the videos and the advice as always. Keep them coming!!
Great Video. Love the down to earth approach. So many people need to hear this. Especially the ones that think you can restore a classic car for a couple grand. I did a restomod on my 69 coupe, and it was the most frustrating thing I have ever done. It took a long time and a lot of cussing at it. Looking back at it, I learned so much from this project. It was worth every scrape, cut and bruise. I especially like that part about having an idea of what you are after. I changed my mind several times throughout mine, and I regret painting it when I did. I want to make some changes that will end up requiring a repaint.
This is the first time I've seen your channel, and after watching I immediately subscribed. I did body and paint professionally for years and it is thoroughly refreshing to hear you give straight, no bullshit advice for the average DIY car guys out there. Good job! Now I've got to check out your other videos...Have a cold one, and have a good one!
Well done video! Even the 'commercial break' was short and to the point. Loved your advice and coaching about pushing through discouragement in your project especially when you said "That's not just cars, I mean that's life." This is a must see video for those DIY'ers who have never done anything like this before to open their eyes on what to expect and to encourage them to keep going once they have made that commitment to build it!
@@lostsocketgarageI am with this guy on what he said. I did a Coyote swap into a 1983 Ford Ranger and outside of like 1 other truck on RU-vid, this is a very rare swap. I kept my twin I beams as well as I can't just drop 2500 on the aje front end and I lost count of how many people told me it couldn't be done without being a hack job to I should've put an ls in it because it's easier. Yes, it is and yes, I could've just put in a 302 from a fox mustang and be done but I wanted 470hp without having to resort to cam and head mods, plus, I already had the coyote motor. Life is hard, building cars is hard, living your life and doing things that make you happy is what it's all about. Nothing easy is worth anything
I did my conversion myself because Hunter @ the time was very busy and didn't have spot for me. I'd say like this, first time doing it - took me almost a year combining with kids and running 9-5 business. It took so much learning, mostly because you don't know what you do. So, first time doing it - definitely underestimation of how much you need to learn in order to do that. But! Second time, I'd say it would take me week to make a conversion if all the parts are in house and coupe is not bent.. so, second time it would be overestimation. These videos that Hunter and Harness made were very helpful and my conversion on my channel.
Great to hear the positive message at the end of the video. I've done complete nut and bolt restoration on a could vehicles and you are 100% correct about leaning to walk away and regroup.
I 68' Fastbacks but, I also believe the 68" Coupe is also a fantastic looking car. Now if converting a 69' to fastback, I am all 100% behind that. Thanks for the video.
How is it these videos come at me as i need them. I am currently learning and preparing to do a conversion on my 69 Coupe. I already have the 429 motor and 69 Coupe. I have spoken with the Aus importer for my Roadster Shop Chassis. LSG might be my key to the Fastback body panels supply and guidance to completion. Thankyou for putting these videos out. Much appreciated.
I haven't done a mustang but, i am currently working on a 67 high boy bumpside pick up that i bought 4 years ago before getti g sick and even died. It has been a patient's building process there is a lot of sheetmetal that isn't being reproduced for that truck which i had to make from scratch . What you said is exactly right be patient and walk away or it will have you angry all the time . Loved the video
Did Mine, fun project but I like the unforeseen. Had it as coup for 30 years and always wanted fastback. Kept it coup for back seat and built the rest of the back interior to fit. Not perfect but Came out awesome, love it. I would do it again.
Real truth real honesty..great positivity n patience.. everything you said couldn't be more true . appreciate you man and nice wonderful jobs done there on the fastback conversions..
Will never chop up my coupe , but I am painting it again (I painted it in 1990) yes I actually did the work and paint. This time I need Torque boxes , rockers and a bit of front floor work done
I really appreciate the realizm and truth you shared about what to expect doing this project. Great video, I love what you do and how you Approach the project. Keep up the great work 👍 and keeping it REAL
I love your channel. The amount of information that you guys give out for doing the fastback conversion is phenomenal. Last year I picked up a 67 coupe, California V8 car. No engine no tranny no front end no interior. Just a shell. But it has, zero rust and has never been wrecked. And I’ve contemplated doing the conversion. My question is, Does anyone that you know of have information on doing a conversion to a convertible?
We have been asked a couple times to do a coupe to convertible conversion , but we haven't done 1 yet, so I don't want to give you bad info. It would require and extra brace, thicker gauge floor, and passenger torque box at least. Also thanks so much for following along with us, glad it helps!!!
I wouldn't attempt this without a good deal of fab experience. I work in a fab shop and it is always problem salving. ALWAYS! You can be a great wrench but that won't get You to where You want to be. Having said that It is totally possible. 😁👌
I have been making mustang eleanor body kits for about 15 years in Australia. I do talk to customers all the time about these conversions and one thing I see happening that is wrong and that is welding things together without all the parts all fitted. I have seen bonnets that will not fit and trunk lids that will not fit. The pumping of rear quarters that has just been a recent thing. I kind of think only weld up your trunk and surrounds once you have fitted an original trunk lid then if your fibreglass one will not fit modify the fibreglass part. My thinking is do not make something wrong and make everthing that is right wrong to make things fit, just make the wrong thing right. Some of the guys here have a steel frame / trolley that goes under the sills of the car that the body can be clamped to while the work is completed. I think it is far better than hoping the concrete floor is flat. A flat table or steel plate but the trolley is good if you need to move the body around. Good video to help anyone who is about to take this on.
Agreed. Its why we use a jig and make sure shes level before we cut. Also all of our measurments are taken from real FBs, so the simulate the from factory measurements. God bless you fiberglass guys!
I just read this was revised. It goes up to 250 In-lbs. On top of that I've read you need to lube the bolts under their heads and use antiseize on the threads. AND once it's all done, you need to loosen and retorque each one, one at a time.
I reeeeeeeaaaaaalllllly want to . So far everyone thinks their cougars are worth a testicle right now. But hopefully the right deal will come along soon.
Great video as usual with lots of hard truths! Will you still be making a video on Fastback interior bracket measurements for the? That's one I'll definitely need when I get to that point and haven't seen anyone else address. Thanks for the great videos, keep 'em comin!
Thanks amill for sharing your knowledge and skills on this subject. I agree with everything you said Sir. Have you ever thought about have a in person class? It's one thing to learn from a video but 3 or 4 class would really help the DIY community. There are metal shaping classes that are short and it's not for free. Everything thing you're talking about is a Dying skill. Not everyone can afford to pay to have a classic build but I know that they can diy it. Plus shops over charge and customer service really sucks nowadays. I'm interested in saving 1k on the 67/68 conversion. I've watched a lot of channels and everyone was helpful but i greatly appreciate your honesty and encouraging words. Good luck and hope to meet you in person one day.
Thanks so much for following along! I have thought about doing classes yes. It is more of a bandwidth thing for me right now. I have had people come in before though that need help and I have showed them. Make your way out to SLC!
How about the rear Interior parts , , i'm guessing you don't use original . And where will u get those rear interior parts? I was thinking to modify up some interior parts.. Australia
It's one of the immutable laws of car repair: no matter how many tools you've assembled for any project, you will always need one more, and one more, and one more, and so on.
I know it’s not in everyone wheel house but wouldn’t it just be easier to start with a new floor cowl and firewall? Seems like that’s all u are using from the coupe
Most prefer the fastback, but I don't prefer them that much.... how about buying like a dynacor fastback shell and a donor car? Would that be a better route?
Definitely an option. Some drawbacks though: 1. You are waiting usually at least a year for the shell (not a roller) 2. Doesnt come with doors, fenders, or anything that bolts on. 3. No vin, so you have to register it as a kit car (or do other more grey area stuff). 4. No guarantee its all welded together with the right measurements because they have no doors, fender, decklid etc. We have had issues with their welded side assemblies not being welded correctly. But overall yes, still a solid option.
Ugh, I really want to do this to my 70 coupe but between the cost and this is my first resto, I just don’t think I can pull it off. I already have my car totally stripped, on a body cart, just replaced everything rotted up front, frame rail patches, floor supports, toe boards, torque boxes, drivers full length floor pan and working on passenger floor right now. My car needs new passenger side quarter, transition pan, rear trunk brace etc. I’m so torn on what to do. I would be so much happier with a fastback but do I just finish this car and sell it and buy a fastback to restore next. So many decisions.
Decisions are hard man. You're asking a fastback guy though so you know what my answer will be. Patience, maybe find a donor, or save up. You'll be happier in the long run if that's really what you want. gitr done man!
70 question. Is the FB windshield angle different from a coupe. Is the trunk floor behind the gas tank the same on FB and coupes. Thanks for your help.
Mustang, a Ford, father of the assembly line was hand built??? Not sure if I'm convinced of that. Have welded up a few Mustangs, but you've done way more!
Well yeah, hand built on the assembly line. PBS has a nice Doc on it. www.pbs.org/video/american-experience-ford-assembly-line/ Thanks for following along!
Like others, thank you for this video. Honestly, DYI is way beyond my brain cell level. Would take your offer to make a video of what to look for a coupe...and just contact you 😉
Hey thanks for following along! I know you must have a super high bar for the YT vids you watch , so thanks for spending time on ours and helping our algorithm with a comment! Gotta go build another pinewood derby car now! Cheers! ✌️
The thing NO ONE is talking about is the legalities and morals of the conversion, I used to live in NY and if you replaced more then 40%of the body panels the car is LEGALY scrap, (Dont know if that law is still in effect as i moved out of NY twenty years ago) also the MORALS of it, how many back yard mechanics out there will do this swap and tell you its a factory fast back, You are paying say 20k for a coupe and the fastback is at 40k, how pissed would you be if you payed high dollars for a car that is not what it actually was claimed to be???? as an example there are Thousands more 427 corvettes on the market the GM ever built and every one of them is a Legit 427 corvette, ALWAYS check the VIN and know what your looking at
Not saying there isn't alot to watch out for. There definitely is, however you can tell by the vin number. Playing devils advocate though, yes it could be a swapped vin. But what it comes down to is if you don't want the risks, then just save up the extra dough and buy one you are comfortable with.
I live in New Zealand, so I'm not sure of what laws and regulations there are in America when it comes to vehicle registration . But it seems that having an original body tag is absolutely required. What I've been wondering, is ,what can be done with a complete Dynacorn fastback body ?, after buying one ,can you just go and buy every other component needed for a complete car ,from wrecking yard parts, and or ,new reproduction parts, and then put that car on the road, with a new body ID ? .Or are those bodies only going to be of any use, to people who have an original fastback that's rusted out or accident damaged ? and in that case, I thought it was illegal to take tags off a car and put them on another body ?? .Basically, what I'm asking is ,who can use those repro bodies? . Maybe there is a good reason that people are opting for a coupe to fastback conversion instead?
It's a good question. Here, the vin will still show a coupe, but also on most titles the designation is just coupe/sedan/truck . So it would take a guy that knows his vin #s to tell. As for Dynacorn bodies.. personally I do not think it worth it. 18k USD and it has to be registered as a Kit Car. Then you have to still buy doors, fenders, hood, drivetrain, suspension, interior etc. For me, i think it makes more sense to get a donor. Feel free to email us at Lostsocketgarage@gmail.com if you have more questions.
@@lostsocketgarage Thanks, I know one thing for sure ,it's so cool that people are supplying these reproduction parts , and the idea of being able to buy a complete reproduction muscle car body was just a fantasy not all that long ago. Iv'e just seen your latest video, looking good .👍
Well here we go, I have the titled 69 donor coupe and it's a rolling chassis. I'm wanting to have it as a Fastback. But, haven't spent much time thinking about it because my 65 is the priority project, not against letting it be your project. So, are you done with it yet? 😂😂
@@lostsocketgarage i am inly messing mate i find the uk vs us wordings quite interesting take the uk word for under the engine cover is bonnet like little red riding hood we call the place we walk pavement us its sidewalk car rocker panel is a cill wings are fenders its facinating to me but i will be sampling us culture in sept as i am flying to boston and doing a 2 week tour of central us cant wait mate
Thanks for the feedback! To each their own. We have sold many..many conversions for way more than their standard coupe value. The will always be coupes yes, but we make em a bit prettier .
I'm sorry bur it's dumb. IMO the 67-68 coupes are the best-looking Mustangs except for the early 70's Mach 1. Why not stick the money in HP or suspension or exhaust.
@@lostsocketgarage Well you seem to have no trouble finding people willing to let you butcher up their cars for stupid amounts of money for something that will make absolutely no difference to the driving experience of that car. Sounds smart???
@@mitchstaff8281 haha so judgy , good god. Fun fact, everyone doesn't like what you like buddy. Everyone is different. So if I have a business model that allows people to get their car looking like their dream car and keep the lights on while doing it... thats a W in my book. You keep using your keyboard, and I'll be over here building people's dream cars. Cheers!
@@lostsocketgarage More power to you. Don't take such offense. I said it was my opinion. I didn't trash your work. Sounds like you might be a tad too insecure bud. BTW, I don't hire I do!!!!
@@michaelangelo8001 yeah not sure what you are trying to say here, but I have a feeling its fairly vacuous soooooooo, I appreciate comments, helps the Algorithm.
@@lostsocketgarage No doubt that I made it plain enough... However, if you actually possessed the capacity to understand, we obviously wouldn't be having this conversation.
70 Mustang driver door from Classic Industries 3/8 short at latch plate wall. Didnt want to shim pillar latch pin 3/8 so i found a original door. CI dont want the door back!. Destroy with picture for refund.....💩 Floorpans for 55 chevy Cameo. Unmatched ribs and no trans plate flanges.. (no material to bolt to. 💩 $900 JBA stainless creamic headers #6616S with SEMA BADGE on the box for ORIGINAL 70 Mustang 351W.. 5 interference points (CRAP from Taiwan) /Pertronics dodged me twice a week for 2 months and eventually gave me a free pair of the SAME CRAP💩 FIND ORIGINAL PARTS!!! Shut down the posers!