Disco 1 Welding!!!

So I've got a disco 1 and obviously it's a bit rusty!! Chassis is brilliant. and mountings all good. Front crossmember has been replaced. It's starting to rot a bit in the wheel arches and the boot floor has just started to go in the usual spot. I can weld patches and have done for the mot but I want it sorted properly with replacement panels.
So...
What I'm going to have done over the next year by a very compitent mate of mine...
The rear wheel arches. I think just the out part will suffice as the inner seems solid. Is it feasable to just do the outer bit?

The boot floor. Again I would do it but I'm not great with body work so patching is my limit.

The front offside wheel arch has a couple of small holes so I'm going to patch them myself. Is that also a good idea or should I have that replaced properly?

The sills are a little tender but not holed so what's the best option with that?
Also could you suggest the best place to source parts as there are a plethora of different options out there!!
Plus can you give me a rough price guide for each different fix?

I've seen some top jobs done on here so I know I'm in good hands...
Many thanks!!

All of the stuff you mentioned is easy to fix. I mean - honestly it is easy. I've done rear arches on mine, including some double radius bends and forms to match up the boot floor, general patching, etc. If you are confident MOT-patch-welding as you say I'd strongly suggest have a go yourself. Get some scrap steel, learn some proper mig welding and cut the welds to check penetration is OK etc....

There are lots of places doing preformed patches for the usual problem areas that fit well and are not at all expensive - I think I paid about £12 for rear arch patches, less for the footwell floors. You can even get things like the body hangers to go on the chassis outriggers for silly money.

I've used the easy on panels from here http://www.froggatts.co.uk/page10.html and they fitted nice and right every time.

Looks pretty good. I'll work out what I need. I still don't feel confident. Maybe I'll give one a go and see how it goes.

pictures !!

James Rogers said:

Looks pretty good. I'll work out what I need. I still don't feel confident. Maybe I'll give one a go and see how it goes.

Click to expand...

I understand that I was somewhat nervous when I first started hacking mine about. But seriously if you have a reasonable machine (are we talking SMAW or GMAW?) and a willingness to have a go then you should be fine. Practice first and you wont have any issues especially if you can weld it downhand instead of overhead. Lots of good youtube videos as well showing you - I dig my list out if you want.

Someone wanted pictures? My D1 was up on a lift having the chassis welded by the garage who had welded it and the previous 110's many times. There were also a few holes in the floor just big enough to let sparks through.
He said he was underneath and heard a crackling noise. by the time he got out from under and managed to open the doors, it was too late.

Ouch..... I bet his insurers loved that one Rather a shame.....

That's why you NEED a FIRE WATCHER when welding ANY car !

Oh dear ! Bet he hated phoning you after that !

you gonna need a new umbrella too !!

I was welding the handbrake support bracket on a Austin 1100 once. I was sat on the back seat with the front seats folded forward and the carpet all pulled back out of the way. My mate, the car owner, was on fire watch but he was chatting up my neighbour instead of watching me. Next thing, car was ablaze as I scrambled out. He lost his car and I lost my temper.

Col