I've got a 70' Malibu I pretty much stole for the price I payed (2300$ and it runs/drives). :D I've poked around looking for rust every where and the floors, trunk floor, rear window areas are SOLID. It has 2 minor rust through spots with one on the rear 1/4 under the side maker light and one on the front fender under the emblem. the only bong on the car is a good size spot that repaired dent, NO rust repair bondo. I'm going to replace both 1/4's and front fenders eventually as I like as little body filler as possible.

The chassis/suspension are shot, it need new ball joints, bushings, body mounts, and swaybar links. I was thinking of taking the body off the frame and doing the frame/suspension up this winter then setting the body back on the frame and driving it this summer and work on the body next winter. It seems from most of the posts around here everyone seems to do it the other way around and starts with the body work before the remove it from the frame.Is it all right to do the chassis first? I got a Engergy suspension kit that has all the bushings and I was going to replace all the fuel/brake lines also along with boxing the frame and using Por-15. I just don't have the cash to the chassis and Body thisd winter as I'll have 4000-5000$ tied up in the frame, 4 wheel disk brakes, 200R4 tranny, and 17" wheels/tires.

I was in the same boat. Money came in stages and I wanted to do it right. If you have the space to store your body somewhere, I'd start with the chassis and get that done first. Thats how I did it. I've heard you should do the body work first. but I think that is for major body replacement areas (IE; Floor pans,trunk pans,Quarters,etc.) The minor stuff can be done after you put the body back on. Get your chassis done. You'll be happy you did. Good luck

The body on my wagon is so far gone. I need to replace all the metal before removal from frame. Now that I have some of the sheetmetal, by end if summer it should be off.